For those that are not familiar with Aladino Cigars, it is a brand under the JRE Tobacco Co. that was founded founded by Julio R. Eiroa and his son Justo M. Eiroa. Back in 2018, the company introduced a limited edition blend known as the Aladino Corojo Reserva, a cigar that was offered in a single 5 x 50 vitola. The Aladino Corojo Reserva was constructed of 100% Honduran corojo tobacco. Interesting to say the least. The line was further extended to a second 6 x 52 toro in 2019. I recently got my hands on the robusto vitola and today I am pleased to offer a review of this magnificent cigar.
As noted, the blend is described as:
- Wrapper – Honduran corojo
- Binder – Honduran corojo
- Filler – Honduran corojo
These are available in two vitolas and come packaged in special 20-count diamond shaped boxes:
- Robusto (5 x 50) MSRP $12.00
- Toro (6 x 52) MSRP $14.00
For this review I sampled the Aladino Corojo Reserva Robusto which was gifted to me by a good friend.
Pre-Light Examination
The Aladino Corojo Reserva is presented with a smooth, medium brown wrapper, that has a light tooth to the texture. There is a hint of marbling in the leaf and it has no discernible veins. The cigar is solid and has a decent weight in the hand. It is finished with a nicely applied cap.
The cigar is branded with two bands and a large white tissue paper sleeve. The primary band reminds me of a Cuban Montecristo band with its light brown and white motif. It has a bold letter “A” in the center and the word “ALADINO” printed across the top. The phrase “Hecho A Mano” is printed on the right and “Honduras” on the left. The secondary band uses a brown, yellow, and white motif and proudly declares this as the “COROJO RESERVA”.
Pre-Light aromas included baking spice notes along the barrel with fragrant floral notes off the foot. I used my CigarMedics HumidiMeter and got a solid 68% reading off the foot.
Using my double blade Zikar cutter, I sliced the cap straight and gave it some cold puffs that were spot on with restriction and offered notes of natural tobacco sweetness, mild nut, and a sprinkle of pepper.
Reaching for my triple flame torch, I warmed the foot and drew on the first puffs of peppery smoke. Follow along as I burn this one to ash!
Cigar Review Notes
- Light pepper notes off the first puffs
- Sweet floral aroma
- Solid white ash forms on thick char line
- Floral notes move onto the palate as the pepper recedes
- Nut joins the profile
- Smoke is full thick and chewy
- Excellent oil production behind the burn line
- Gentle spice notes enter near the end of the first third
- Coffee notes begin to develop entering the second third
- Cherry notes brighten the profile moving through the second third
- Aroma has shifted to a nut component
- Long ash is holding tight deep in the second third
- Cedar finds its way in with a slight citrus note
- Strength started at solid medium and has ratcheted up to medium full
- Slight off burn near the end of the second third where the ash finally fell revealing a flat but centered burn cone
- Cherry notes have moved back in and blend well with the spice
- Strength reaches full at the end
- Total Smoking Time was 1 hour and 20 Minutes
Overall, the JRE Tobacco Aladino Corojo Reserva was an awesome cigar that had fine array of balanced and pleasurable notes and aromas. I especially enjoyed the cherry notes that moved in and out and brightened the profile. From a burn perspective it held a extra long ash but did have a slight off burn as the ash fell with a flat burn cone. The smoke was cool and pleasant from the foot down to the nub. This is one that I feel is box worthy and one that both experienced and developing palates would highly appreciate, I rate this a solid 95.
Point Deductions: (-1) Slight off burn in final third; (-1) Flat Burn Cone
Bonus Points: (+1) Extra Long Ash; (+1) Fine Oiling Above the Burn Line; (+1) Buy a Box
