Over the last year one of the hottest new releases in my neck of the woods has been Serino Cigars which are made at the La Corona Factory in Esteli, Nicaragua. Those cigars from from Tony Serino who has been in the cigar industry for decades, and this release comes from his son Carson and is part of the Serino portfolio.
The cigar was conceptualized on a trip to Iceland where Carson forgot to pack cigars. While wandering around Iceland, came up with Wayfarer and it’s currently being offered in 3 sizes; Robusto (5 x 52), 109 (6 1/4 x 50) and today’s review the 6 x 46 Corona Gorda.
Cigar: The Wayfarer by Serino Cigar
Wrapper: Ecuador Corojo ’99
Binder: Nicaragua
Filler: Nicaragua (Esteli, Jalapa)
Length: 6″
Ring Gauge: 46
Size: Corona Gorda
The Look: The Wayfarer comes packaged in 20 count cedar boxes with the cigars laid out in 2 rows of 10. The Ecuador Corojo ’99 wrapper had a brindle effect and a nice amount of oils. The black band is busy, but the use of gold foil to make the brand and manufacturer stick out one it creates a nice depth to it. The cigar is firm to the touch with no voids of tobacco and a well packed foot.
The Notes: Once we clip the cap, the cold draw has touches of earth and hints of cocoa while the aroma off the foot serves up the same with the addition of hay to the bouquet. After we torch the foot of the cigar and take a few draws the first definable note is that of oak.
As we smoke the first third of the Wayfarer there are subtle notes of vanilla, earth and the aforementioned oak which is the dominant component. The retrohale of the cigar continues with wood and touch of nuts.
In the second third of the cigar it becomes creamier and the base note transitions to hazelnut with some subtle hints of earth, vanilla and some remaining oak which seems to intensify some on the retrohale as it mixes with some spice.
The last third of the cigar sees the cigar transitional to a caramel sweetness that battles for supremacy with touches of earth and cedar. As the cigar closes out, cedar becomes the base note with touches of nuts and caramel. The retrohale of the cigar increases the cedar especially on the finish.
The Finish: My plan is to review one of each size each of the following weeks. So where will the Corona Gorda place in the 3 sizes that are available we will have to wait and see. This is a cigar you must smoke and Carson Serino might just be the next boutique juggernaut in the industry. Boutique cigars are alive and well as we’ve seen recently and this cigar is outstanding.
Score: 92
Price: $7.89 / $139.99
Wayfarer by Serino Cigar
Wayfarer by Serino Cigar Foot
Wayfarer by Serino Cigar Burn
