Earlier this year the first news came out that My Father Cigars had planned to release the Flor de las Antillas in a Tubo. The cigar which measures 6 x 50 is round instead of the familiar box-pressed version that the line normally comes in.
The cigar carries the vitola name of Petaca, which is the spanish name for a case used to hold tobacco much like a cigarette case. The name ties into the fact that these are sold as 3 packs.
Cigar Review: Flor de las Antillas
Size: 6 x 50 (Petaca / Toro)
Wrapper: Nicaraguan Sun Grown
Binder: Nicaragua
Filler: Nicaragua
Strength: Medium
The Look: The Flor de las Antillas Tubo comes packaged in a cardboard 3 count box. They have the look of something a cigar shop might keep at the register for an impulse item. I’ll be honest, I would love to see these packaged in 10 count boxes with similar boxes to that of the regular line. Packaged in a cedar lined tubo, the cigar features a darker looking Nicaraguan Sun Grown wrapper than I have come accustomed to on the box-pressed line. The foot of the round toro sized cigar features a wine colored ribbon. In the hand the cigar feels heavy, with the wrapper having a silk like feel to it.
The Notes: The cold draw of the Flor de las Antillas Toro serves up a cold draw of hearty wood notes and a touch of sweetness. The foot of the cigar serves up a similar aroma with a the hearty wood notes replaced by cedar.
Once the cigar is lit there is some subtle pepper notes that become more evident on the retrohale. On the palate the cigar also has heavy notes of oak that are joined by dark chocolate and coffee as the cigar progresses. As we approach the end of the first third the pepper through the nose subsides and the coffee is more evident enhancing the moderate finish.
In the second third notes of coffee become dominant on the palate, retrohale and aroma. There is a subtle sweetness from the dark chocolate and a touch of nutmeg. Around the halfway point the oak notes returns with vigor taking control as the dominant flavor.
In the last third of the Tubo Flor de las Antillas from My Father Cigars the oak notes continue on the palate and a warm gingerbread develops on the aroma that brings the cigar to the next level. As the cigar comes to a close coffee and earth envelop the pallate with a long finish.
The Burn: I was amazed at how slow this cigar burned and how long it lasted for me a slow smoker. The cigar remained lit for the 2.5 hour duration with a perfect burn. The thin combustion line revealed a medium gray ash that was a little bit flaky. The draw was perfect with just the right amount of resistance.
The Finish: I normally don’t like to compare one cigar to another, but the Flor de las Antillas in a traditional round format reminds me more of the original La Aroma de Cuba then the box-pressed version of the regular line. Complex with bold flavors that are easily identifiable the Tubo delivers an experience that I believe is even better than the box-press.
Score: 93
Price: $21.99 3-Pack
Flor de la Antillas Tubo
Flor de la Antillas Tubo Foot
Flor de la Antillas Tubo Burn
