Leaf by Oscar is a creation by one of the most colorful men in the Cigar Business, Island Jim. During a factory trip with some regulars from his shop in Pittsburgh; Leaf & Bean he got to meet Oscar Valladeras at Rocky Patel. Oscar who now owns his own factory in Danli, Hondurus made some test blends for Jim and he asked Oscar to wrap the cigar in a tobacco leaf. Confused at first as the cigar already had a wrapper, the message was relayed after numerous attempts.
When Island Jim got back to the states he was surprised by the amount of oils brought out of the cigar by simply changing the packaging from cello to tobacco. The cigar is available in four wrappers; Connecticut, Maduro, Sumatra and today’s review Corojo.
Cigar: Leaf By Oscar
Size: Toro 6 x 50
Wrapper: Corojo
Binder: Honduras
Filler: Honduras
Strength: Medium
The Look: At first glance this is the ugliest cigar in the business, but once you know the story behind it, it becomes a work of art. Instead of the traditional cello, the cigar comes encased in a tobacco leaf. The result is a cigar that develops more oils beneath it. Todays smooth is the Corojo and the band of beige is black is made out of tobacco and you can smoke right through it, though Island Jim himself chooses to remove it. In the hand the cigar is firm with an above average weight, no soft spots and a well packed foot.
The Notes: Once the cigar is cut the core notes one the cold draw is a slight spice with nuts while the foot of the cigar is nutty. On first light the cigar serves up some spice and nuts. There is a semi strong pepper through the nose.
On the first third of the cigar there is some defined crush red pepper. Also joining the mix is some noted of wood and nuts with a long earthy finish. The pepper through the nose subsides slighting and as the first third comes to a close so does the crush red pepper.
In the second third of the Leaf by Oscar Corojo a robust coffee note begins to develop in earnest and the prolonged finish begins to subside, while it earthy there is also some wood. Its a strong wood note, not of the cedar variety though I can’t put my finer on the type.
The last third of the Corojo sees a return of crushed red pepper and an abundance of earthy notes. The finish is moderate and borders on long with final notes of earth, pepper and wood.
The Finish: When I first smoked the Leaf it was the Maduro version and I was thoroughly impressed. What really provided the wow fact for me with this blend was the abundance of spice while never getting over powering in the terms of strength. Complex and flavorful it left me craving Indian food, though I am not exactly sure why.
Score: 92
Price: $9.69 / $169.99
Leaf by Oscar Corojo
Leaf by Oscar Corojo Uncovered
Leaf by Oscar Corojo Foot
Leaf by Oscar Corojo Burn
