The Rojas Street Tacos Al Pastor Gordo is the third blend in the Street Tacos Series, continuing the brand’s theme of naming cigars after taco meats—in this case, the savory “al pastor,” pork marinated and roasted on a vertical spit like shawarma. The cigar draws inspiration from this flavorful dish with a rich blend that’s just as layered and complex. The blend features an Ecuadorian Habano wrapper, Mexican San Andrés binder, and a blend of Dominican and Nicaraguan fillers.
The cigar sports a dark, oily wrapper that gleams under the light. Its firm and seamless construction gives it the look of an old-school billy club, capped off with a semi-closed foot. It’s densely packed and eye-catching—clearly crafted with attention to detail.
The first third opens with a distinct salinity, reminiscent of sea air. Earthy barnyard notes dominate early on, accompanied by baking spice, leather, and a heavy oak undertone. There’s also a surprise touch of multigrain bread or everything bagel—rounded out with the dry crunch of hard pretzels. It’s a bold and briny opening.
In the second third, the salt and pepper begin to recede. A shift toward a creamier, sweeter profile takes center stage, with notes of vanilla, salted chocolate, and graham cracker. Roasted coffee joins in, followed by subtle earthiness and nuttiness. Hints of oak and sweeter hay round out the retrohale, giving this section a well-balanced and refined feel.
The final third reintroduces the pepper and salt with vigor, bringing back that earlier intensity. Baker’s chocolate, cedar, and oak deepen the complexity. A touch of sweet chili pepper lingers on the tongue, giving the finish a bold and slightly spicy kick.
Throughout the experience, construction is flawless. The draw is smooth with a high volume of billowing smoke—even between puffs. The burn line stays tight and even, and the ash holds impressively. For a larger ring gauge cigar, this Gordo doesn’t feel clumsy—it’s flavorful, controlled, and deliberate.This is a cigar that balances savory, sweet, and spice with finesse. If you enjoy earthy, peppery cigars—or even if you usually shy away from big ring gauges—this one is worth a try. One STAR simply put: Loved this cigar.
Overall Score: 91.41 out of 100
Overall Strength Score: 5.32 out of 10
This blind cigar review (Cigar #24-C) was scored by a panel of cigar enthusiasts, including: Nick – The Cigar Pulpit, LKOUTS, Mike Cokeley, Munch, Jim DeLuca, AustinDan, Justin Fultz, Nick B, Hawkeye, Raymond Forslund, Byron Robinson, Vito T, and PoDunkMofo
