While the Aganorsa shade grown Corojo Maduro has been around for more than a couple of months, it seems like the Guardian of the Farm Nightwatch has been the most anticipated release from Aganorsa Leaf that utilizes the wrapper.
The original blend was a joint project via Warped Cigars & Aganorsa, however this blend is solely the work of Max Fernandez of Nicaragua based Aganorsa Leaf. It’s available in four sizes each of which is named after one of the dogs that guard one of the famed Aganorsa Leaf tobacco farms. The Rambo (4.5 x 48), Campeon (6 x 52; 109 style cap) JJ gets box pressed at 5.25 x 50 and the 6 x 44 viola is called Orpheus whereas on the original line the size was known as Apollo.
Cigar Review: Guardian of the Farm Nightwatch
Wrapper: Nicaraguan Shade Grown Corojo Maduro
Binder: Nicaragua
Filler: Nicaragua
Length: 6″
Ring Gauge: 44
Size: Lonsdale (Orpheus)
The Look: Packaged in white boxes with gold lettering the Guardian of the Farm Nightwatch sits in 5 rows of 5 cigars. The dark shade grown Maduro wrapper has a couple of noticeable veins and a nice amount of oils visible. The line features a dual band system with the primary band matching the colors of the box, while a secondary band has the Aganorsa logo with colors of red and gold.
The Notes: The aroma off the wrapper and foot serves up notes of dark chocolate and coffee beans while the cold draw has a subtle marshmallow taste to it. Once the cigar is toasted and lit a salted pistachio notes quickly develops.
Moving into the first third of the cigar the salty pistachio notes remain with growing cinnamon notes on the front end as well as the aroma of the cigar. As the first third comes to a close some sweetness lingers on the finish of the cigar with hints of wood while the retrohale offers up some subtle pepper.
In the second third of the cigar there is a flavor component that reminds me of spicy mustard from a Chinese restaurant. It a fleeting note that lasted for only a handful of puffs. The main components are nutty, with elements of earth and a mocha like sweetness. The retrohale serves up pepper and espresso with the slightest touch of licorice.
In the final third some cinnamon notes begin to emerge some with a creaminess that is thoroughly enjoyable. The cigar remains nutty, with some earthy components and a solid espresso lengthy finish especially on the retrohale.
The Finish: The obvious question is which was better, the original or the new Nightwatch. If you like a fuller bodied cigar the clear answer is Nightwatch. The rich robust cigar has a nice amount of perceived strength with an abundance of flavor from the first light to last puff. I’m curious to try the box pressed version which I will review at a later date but the cigar geek in me opted for the thinner ring gauge was I was not disappointed in the least.
Score: 92
Price: $9.39 / $206.99
Guardian of the Farm Nightwatch
Guardian of the Farm Nightwatch Foot
Guardian of the Farm Nightwatch Burn
