Cigar: Aganorsa Aniversario Maduro
Size: Gran Toro
Smoke time: 1 hour, 15 minutes
Appearance & Aroma
Originally produced as a limited run, it is a welcome addition as an everyday line to the humidor. The shelf-friendly, 10-count box gives way to a great presentation of each cigar wrapped in tissue with a bold silver and black label announcing its presence in the box. Although the cigar is box pressed, it has rounded features providing, in my opinion, a more hybrid feel when picked up. The Nicaraguan shade-grown maduro wrapper is rich and earthy with scents of coffee and cedar.
Light-Up & Draw
I used a straight cut and upon lighting was pleased with how it required little effort to get an even burn from the very start. The draw is firm but not tight as some box press cigars can be when initially lit. The aroma from the start is earthy and smooth. The immediate taste has a slight hint of pepper on the tongue. After a few minutes, the pepper subsides and combines with a creaminess you would not expect from a Nicaraguan puro.
Early Profile
The slight pepper and creaminess remain consistent, and some strength starts to build as I continue to smoke. The burn remains even with just a little smoke between puffs. The strength starts to taper off from medium to mild medium and slight peppery flavor remains, all while maintaining the coffee and earthiness.
Middle Profile & Burn
The pepper flavor has now completely subsided and gives way to a smooth and slightly bold flavor with hints of leather and cedar. It continues to maintain a consistently even burn with a little more smoke coming off the cigar in between puffs. While Aganorsa Leaf considers this cigar fuller bodied, I continue to enjoy what I see as a more medium-profile cigar.
Late Profile
As I begin the final third of the cigar, some additional strength begins to build. I am a big fan of consistency, and the rich flavor of the cigar remains while starting to take on even more earthy notes, which just enhances the enjoyment. If I had one complaint, it was that the burn line became a bit uneven a few times, requiring a slight touch up. Once touched up, it remained even. The cap starts to get a little loose, but this does not take away from the body and flavor of the cigar.
Overall Impression
The Aganorsa Leaf line continues to grow in popularity. The rebranding of the line and the packaging of the Aniversario Maduro stand out in the humidor. At a price point of over $16, the cigar is something I would recommend to a more experienced cigar smoker; however, given the popularity of the brand, we can introduce them to the La Validacion Maduro first and then introduce the Aniversario as they think about stepping up their smoking experience. And the 10-count box makes it a much easier sale for someone who decides this is a great everyday smoke and does not mind spending over $15 for a cigar.
– Review by Brian Begley of Cigars on 17 in Mount Pleasant, South Carolina.
This story first appeared in PCA The Magazine, Volume 3, 2023. To receive a copy of this magazine you must be a current member of PCA. Join or renew today at premiumcigars.org/membership.