La Aurora Preferidos Diamond Cigar Review

When you decide to dedicate a week to perfecto shaped cigars, the one cigar that can’t be ignored is the signature cigar of the fist cigar factory of the Dominican Republic, La Aurora. The Preferidos has long been the benchmark of this factory that dates back to 1903.

According to the La Aurora website, “Obviously, Perfecto means “perfect” and no other name suits better to this cigar made by La Aurora, the same way originally since 1903, the year of our foundation. The best selected leaves that have undergone a process of four years between curing and ripening, a year more in rum barrels and six to eight months in the aging room after rolling waiting to be done. No hurries for Perfecto are needed: time is its best ingredient. The blends are also different, because every Perfecto may be perfect by itself. And, of course, the cigars presentation is in the same top level as its smooth flavor and aroma: doble figurado shape, with shiny tubes made of six metal colors for each one of the cigar variety; red for Ruby, green for Emerald, golden for Gold, blue for Sapphire, grey for Platinum and black for Diamond. Sometimes, jewels are only for a short time enjoying.”

Cigar Review: La Aurora 1903 Edition
Size:  5 x 54 (Perfecto / Preferidos)
Wrapper: Connecticut Broadleaf
Binder: Dominican Republic
Filler: Dominican Republic, Nicaragua
Source: Miami Cigar & Company (US Distributor for La Aurora)
Strength: Medium-Full

The Look: Packaged in a gorgeous zeppelin shaped tube of black, the cigar inside features a rustic looking Connecticut Broadleaf wrapper that is rugged looking and rough under the fingers. There are a few visible veins and a brindle like coloring to the wrapper. The cigar is firm with no soft spots and features a colorful band with the La Aurora lion logo.

The Notes: On the cold draw of the La Aurora Diamond Preferidos the primary note is earth with a hint of cedar and a subtle sweetness. Taking the cigar to the nose once can appreciate the subtle aroma of cocoa that comes off the wrapper.

One the tip is quickly toasted the initial flavors are cocoa on the front end with some subtle pepper especially through the nose and some cedar on the aroma. As the cigar progresses the cocoa notes become extremely dominant as the pepper subsides and the cedar is evident on the retrohale as well as the moderate finish.

In the second third, the Diamond begins to lose some of its cocoa sweetness as the flavor transitions more of a chocolate like essence. At the half way point of this extremely flavorful cigar beings to transition to hearty notes of cedar and earth with a slightly leather like finish that lingers.

The last third of the La Aurora Preferidos sees notes of earth become primary note as the finish of cocoa and cedar becomes considerably shorter than the first two-thirds of the cigar which helps finish the experience. Through the nose some nutty notes join hints of espresso and coffee.

The Burn: The cigar produces an exorbitant amount of smoking even while resting in the ashtray, giving the appearance of the cigar smoking it self. The sold medium gray ash held for the first half of the cigar and dropped once more shortly after removing the band. The perfect draw compliment the perfect burn of this cigar that remained lit from first light to last puff.

The Finish: One cannot deny the beauty of the presentation of a La Aurora Preferidos. However, that beauty is matched if not topped by the cigar itself which delivers a classic Broadleaf flavor profile that is both modern and classy allowing La Aurora remain true to its identity while embracing today’s modern cigar smoker.

Score: 91
Price: $20.00

 

 

 

Cigar Notes

• Of the 6 different preferidos my two favorites are the Diamond and the Sapphire (blue tube, Connecticut shade wrapper).
• The La Aurora Treasure Pack has been updated to now include the Diamond.
• The La Aurora website lists the Diamond Preferidos as an 8 on a scale of 1-10 for strength. I would classify it as a 6 or 7.
• I tend to cut my “torpedo/perfecto/belicoso” cigars at a slight angle.
• Samples of this cigar were sent by Miami Cigar & Company who advertises on this website and the podcast.
• Smoking time was 1 hour 25 minutes.
• I paired the cigar with water, though I wish I had some rum for this smoke.