At the beginning of 2021 Aganorsa Leaf announced they would be release Rare Leaf to select retail partners. The group of retailers is less than 100 stores, and the cigar would be a regular, but limited production. While the cigar has been slow to roll out it has been met with critical acclaim by those who have been able to find them. The cigar which features an abundance of rare Criollo tobaccos grown in Nicaragua.
Cigar Review: Aganorsa Rare Leaf
Wrapper: Nicaragua Cafe
Binder: Criollo ’98 & Criollo ’98 (Dual Binder)
Filler: Nicaragua Corojo ’99, Nicaragua Criollo ’98
Length: 5.25
Ring Gauge: 52
Size: 52
The Look: Like the Aganorsa Leaf Habano, the Rare Lead comes in a 15 count box. Inside the cigars sit in three rows of five. The Nicaraguan Cafe wrapper has a gorgeous reddish hue color to it with minimal veins. The cigar features two bands with the primary denoting Aganorsa Leaf in cream on a field of red with gold accents. The secondary band uses the same colors with the the brand name Rare Leaf. In the hand the cigar is firm, with a hefty weight to it.
The Notes: The cold draw of the Aganorsa Rare Leaf serves up some salty components along with graham cracker, hay and paprika. The aroma off the foot showcases some peanut shells, and a subtle red pepper. Once the cigar is lit it starts off with an abundance of cedar and an abundance of pepper through the nose.
Moving into the first third the Aganorsa Rare Leaf is loaded with flavor in addition to being a pepper bomb. The cigar delivers notes of ever so slightly over-popped popcorn, cedar, wheat and a subtle toasted almond. The long finish is intensified with the retrohale that delivers red pepper and leather. The Rare Leaf is burning perfectly with a thin combustion line and an ash that shows no signs of falling.
As we enter the second third the strength of the cigar picks up to medium-full and the subtle sweetness of the first third is a distant memory. Notes of strong espresso dominate with a touch of cacao that brings an enjoyable bitter edge to the smoke. Additionally there is elements of cedar and leather with a touch of red pepper.
The last third sees notes of a strong espresso remain domains with a touch of lemon zest. The red pepper notes are the strongest during the last third along with an abundance of leather. The retrohale sees both the leather and red pepper intensify with an abundance of earth and a lingering maple on the long finish.
The Finish: There are some rough edges to the Rare Leaf, but it works for the cigar. It still scores high, and it is a cigar that I reach for on a regular basis. If you like full bodied cigars, this one is right in your wheel house as it is mine. It’s also a cigar that I believe is a prime candidate for aging as it should smooth out over time and showcase the Criollo ’98 dominant blend.
Score: 93
Price: 10.99 / $148.99
Aganorsa Rare Leaf Robusto
Aganorsa Rare Leaf Robusto Box
Aganorsa Rare Leaf Robusto Burn
