Unless you have been living under a rock or truly locked up in a bubble without chatting or Zooming with fellow cigar enthusiasts, you know the quality of Aladino cigars by JRE Tobacco Co. Just in case, allow me to quickly explain who JRE Tobacco Co. is and how they came into being.
The best way to explain, is to ask you if you recall the original Camacho cigars, you know, the ones that were, and still are, highly sought after? Well the man who helped make that cigar a success was Julio R. Eiroa. Yep that is Christian Eiroa’s father. Julio and Christian created Camacho Cigars back in the 1990’s before selling it off to Davidoff. Christian moved on and launched CLE Cigars, but Julio took a little longer to come back into the industry, and when he did in 2015, it was the launch of the JRE Cigar Company, and brand that he founded with his oldest son Justo. Part of that inaugural JRE portfolio was the Aladino line. Believe or not, the Aladino name comes from a Danlí, Honduras movie theater that they converted into the JRE Cigar Co. Las Lomas Factory.
The Aladino was accepted well by cigar enthusiasts and has been a well discussed cigar on social media and talks in cigar shops ever since. What many did not know is, Julio rolled a 4.5 x 48 Rothschild vitola back in 2015 and 2016, and left them to age for a much later release. The time finally came this year when JRE Tobacco released the Aladino Vintage Rothschild.
Unlike the original Aladino, which was a 100% Cuban Corojo seed leaf grown on the Eiroa farms in Honduras, the Aladino Vintage only uses that leaf in the binder and filler. It is still a Honduran puro with the full blend described as:
- Wrapper – Honduran Habano
- Binder – Cuban Corojo (Honduran)
- Filler – Cuban Corojo (Honduran)
Currently, the Aladino Vintage Selection is expressed in a single 4.5 x 48 Rothschild vitola and comes packaged in a whopping 50-count box. MSRP is set at $269.99/box and I have seen them as low as $6.00 by the 5-pack on Small Batch Cigars.
Pre-Light Examination
The Aladino Vintage Selection is by far a beautifully constructed liga. It has a medium brown and slightly oily wrapper that exhibits a mild reddish tinge. The cigar is firm and solidly packed from head to foot. There are a few noticeable veins in the barrel, but not anything that seems to be an issue. An expertly applied triple cap complete the presentation.
The cigar is adorned with the standard Aladino logo centered in a golden circle along with the words “VINTAGE SELECTION” printed at the bottom. What I like about the band is that it is meticulously applied to the cigar, straight and even.
Running the Aladino Vintage Selection along the nose, I quickly noted a fragrant, floral aroma off the barrel and an enticing natural sweetness and floral off the foot.
I sliced the cap straight across the middle line of the triple cap and took some cold draw puffs that were perfectly restricted. and delivered notes of earth and a hint of pepper.
Using my double flame torch, I warmed the foot to a fine orange glow and drew in the first smooth puffs, of what I could call uniquely Honduran in flavor. Follow along as I burn this one to ash.
Cigar Review Notes
- Smooth smoke right off the first puff with distinctive Honduran notes
- Bright cedar notes joins the mix
- Medium grey ash forms forms on a thick char line
- A delicate natural sweetness begins to evolve
- Fruit aroma wafts off the foot filling the air around the lounge
- Smoke is thick and creamy and palate filling
- Hints of spice and dry leather enter the profile
- Ash fell after a good journey with a well defined burn cone
- Light plum fruit notes tease the tongue
- Cream and coffee fill the mix deep in the burn
- Floral and continued spice complete the journey
- Medium Strength
- Total Smoking Time was 1 hour and 20 minutes
Overall, the JRE Tobacco Co. Aladino Vintage Reserve was very much what one would expect for a well aged cigar crafted by a master in the cigar industry. It was quite Cubanesque in flavor and aroma with a special Honduran earthy twist. Moderately complex with balanced flavors and aromas, the Aladino Vintage Reserve, just shows that you can create a terrific cigar for well under $7.00 retail. This is worth a traditional box buy (20) for sure. I rate this a 94.
Point Deductions: (-1) Medium Grey Ash
Bonus Points: (+1) Buy a bunch
