Cigar:De Los Reyes Casa de Sueños El Soñador
Size: Salomon
Smoke time: 1 hour, 35 minutes
Appearance & Aroma
I’m smoking De Los Reyes’ Casa de Sueños El Soñador outside at a local sports bar, The Hangout, while drinking a Guinness. The band is dark and bold, primarily black and copper colored, with tobacco field images in white/grey.
The band also has a small circle with the colors of the Dominican Republic, which is where the cigar is made. The Ecuadorian Habano wrapper is a dark golden brown and veiny. The look is less rustic than muscular—like a weightlifter’s arms. There is a subtle scent of newspaper and freshly plowed field, neither strong nor pungent.
Light-Up & Draw
The Salomon shape is perfect for a straight cut but on an angle. The cigar cuts easily, and the dry draw provides an unexpected hint of caramel. I toast the cigar, and the caramel immediately changes to a slight nuttiness. The cigar lights easily and provides the aroma of a milder cigar. It is pleasant and not overpowering.
Early Profile
This cigar is more full than medium-bodied. Each puff provides a mouthful of creamy, smoky flavor. The complexity of the Dominican fillers with the San Vicente binder comes through. The burn is nice and slow, taking 10 minutes to get past the tip. The ash is beautiful. It also looks strong and sturdy.
Middle Profile & Burn
The flavor is starting to change, but the complexity still comes through. If this was a steak dinner, the meatiness of the steak has now taken center stage. The burn is still slow and deliberate, with little effort needed on the draw, and the ash is holding strong. Halfway in, the long ash seems to want to be free, so I tap the cigar with my finger. As the ash falls into the ashtray, it does not come apart.
Late Profile
As I enter the final third, a bit of black pepper comes in, and the body increases. The cigar, though, does not become harsh. The four-leaf filler stays complex but not overpowering. This final third provides the sense of well-blended spices. I don’t want the session to end, but I am about to burn my lips. Even this large cigar leaves me wanting more of El Soñador.
Overall Impression
This is a wonderful cigar and a great way to pass a lazy afternoon. It isn’t, though, for the novice. The smoke time and body are designed for the more experienced cigar enthusiast. It pairs very well with Guinness, but any stout beer would work. I also suggest this cigar with your favorite cigar bourbon. Finally, both the cigar and ash have a strong, heavy, sturdy look from start to finish.
– Review by Gary Cruice, a tobacconist at Bailey’s CIgar Room.
This story first appeared in PCA The Magazine, Volume 4, 2024. To receive a copy of this magazine, you must be a current PCA member. Join or renew today at premiumcigars.org/membership.