Arandoza Red

Arandoza Red

Taking some down time from a long week, I move into the gar gave and pull out the new Arandoza Red cigar that was just released at IPCPR in Las Vegas. I have been reading the pre -release announcements and have been wanting to try this stogie ever since. Well today was a perfect time, it has been sitting in a happy humidified home now for over 48 hours so I figure it was time to fire his baby up. I have been a fan of Arandoza cigars since I tried the White last year in a small shop here in Melbourne FL.

Taking the red out the first thing that you notice is the brilliant red band on the foot of the cigar, simply stating Red. The regular band is just as nice featuring the Arandoza badge in bright red and gold.

The vitola I am sampling is the 6×52 Toro. The “Red” is constructed as follows:

Wrapper: Mexican San Andres

Binder: Nicaraguan

Filler: Triple Nicaraguan Ligero

I have to note that I really like this blend, especially the triple ligero in the filler. The “Red” was announced as a full body, full flavor cigar and based on the recipe I hope to agree.

The wrapper, is a little rough with some noticeable veins, but that can be expected being Mexican San Andres. It is a rich brown color and has a sweet tobacco smell.

I decide to cue up some Stevie Ray Vaughn on the turntable, and pour a nice glass of cold spring water on this hot summer Florida day. I clip the head, fire it up, and as Stevie Ray sings ‘Say What!”, whamm, the blast of pepper hits me dead on. OK, it is San Andres of course I should expect pepper right? But this was a pleasant wake me up.

The smoke was rich and creamy and the burn was perfect. Once the spice settled down, which took a few puffs, there were leathery notes coming through.

Down the first third, and Stevie is rolling on and the “Red” starts to toss notes of cocoa at me. The dark grey ash is building and hanging tough. Though it is getting a bit sweeter there is still a light spice on the retro-hale. Other than the heavy blast of spice at the start, the rest of the stick had a pleasant blend all the way through.

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As Stevie start to belt out Change It, there is change in flavor to oak and cherry notes mixed in. There was some real sweet wafting smoke filling the gar cave. The ash that fell around half way picked up again and once again burned as tight as the start. The burn was dead nuts on.

The only ding in this review, was that of a bitter note near the middle but that was quick to change as noted above. Overall this is a wonderful cigar and great accompaniment to the existing Arandoza White and Blue.

Arandoza Red

Arandoza Red

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