In the single cigar review series, reviews are based on only one cigar as opposed to the usual three. With a humidor that is starting to overflow, it has come time to start going through the single cigars that have been collected over time.
The first cigar that gets smoked is the La Tradicion Cubana Deluxe Anniversary Series robusto, which was purchased during a recent visit to Miami from LTC’s store on Calle Ocho.
In addition to making their own cigars, La Tradicion Cubana also makes the Jameson line of cigars, as well as Casa Gomez and La Caridad del Cobre – which has been reviewed in this column.
The robusto is a fairly girthy 56 ring gauge that’s five inches long. The wrapper is somewhat veiny and uneven in color, giving it a rustic look that doesn’t detract from the cigar but certainly won’t win it any beauty pageants. Texture wise it is smooth except for a few veins, while the cigar itself is fairly hard and firm.
The Anniversary Series is also available in a 6” x 52 Churchill vitola, as well as a 5 ¾” x 54 torpedo, and all are sold in boxes of 24. LTC’s website says that this limited production cigar is sold out, though it might still be available in certain places.
The tobacco in the cigar is Dominican, a special blend that was created to commemorate La Tradicion Cubana’s 15th Anniversary.
The pre-light aroma on the foot is a blend of spice and orange, with a definite note that tingles the nostrils.
Once the triple-seamed cap is clipped, the cold draw is easy, with some faint cocoa powder notes coming through.
The first inch is fairly straightforward – mild-medium in body with a light tobacco flavor. The ash starts bright white before fading to a salt-and-pepper color and seems to hang on fairly well.
Moving past the band, the cigar picks up a few more light wood notes. The pepper starts to pick up a bit, and while not overpowering, adds another dimension to the smoke that had otherwise been fairly one-dimensional up to that point.
With a price tag of $7 at their Miami store on Calle Ocho, the cigar is a decent pickup if you happen to be in the area. It certainly isn’t the most complex cigar on the market, but it’s certainly enjoyable and has a fairly wide range of appeal, and would make for a nice complement to your visit to the wonderful Calle Ocho neighborhood, especially if you can get La Tradicion Cubana's owner, Luis M. Sanchez, to make you one of his famous Cuban coffees.
Read reviews of more cigars by clicking here.
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