Do you know what a “Cerberus” is? It is known as the hound of Hades in Greek Mythology. Cerberus is a multi-headed dog that guards the gates of the Underworld to prevent the dead from leaving. I guess that is the boldest of guardians of the farm then eh. Protect the leaf, don’t let any leave the farm till it is time to be cured, fermented and eventually bunched and rolled into an enjoyable cigar.
As for the cigar itself, it is a Nicaraguan puro that was introduced at the end of 2021 and features a Nicaraguan Corojo 2012 wrapper grown on AGANORSA farms in Jalapa, Nicaragua.
In a press release, Terence Reilly, Vice President of sales and marketing for AGANORSA Leaf explained the importance of this special leaf:
“Corojo 2012 is going to add another level of complexity to AGANORSA Leaf’s signature flavor and aroma. We wanted to utilize it first on the Cerberus because Guardian of the Farm is the most popular with cigar enthusiasts who appreciate the nuances and characteristics of new tobaccos. We think they will be very pleased with the Cerberus.”
The blend is described as:
- Wrapper – Nicaraguan Corojo 2012
- Binder – Nicaraguan
- Filler – Nicaraguan
The AGANORSA Leaf Cerberus is expressed in three vitolas, each packaged in 15-count boxes:
- Toro (6 1/4 x 52) – MSRP $10.50
- Londsdale(6 x 44) – MSRP $9.50
- Robusto (5 x 54) – MSRP $9.98
I reviewed one Cerberus Toro for this review.
Pre-Light Examination
The AGANORSA Leaf – Guardian of the Farm Cerberus has a blotchy dark tan wrapper that has a decent oily sheen with a smooth feel and minimal veins. The cigar has just a little give along the barrel when pressed between the fingers. A well applied triple cap finishes the presentation.
A single band adorns the Cerberus that uses a matte black, gold, and white motif. Beautifully die cut, it displays the three headed hound on the top and the name Cerberus on the bottom. The left side declares it as Nicaraguan origin and the right side denotes it as a AGANORSA product.
Running the Cerberus along the nose, I picked up a delicately sweet and pungent fermented leaf aroma along the barrel while the foot had a fragrant earthy note.
I sliced the cap straight across the shoulder and proceeded to give it some cold draw puffs that had a perfect restriction and delivered an array of tasty pre-light notes, most notably earth, pepper, and a touch of cocoa. There is lots going on with this one, it is one of those cigars I enjoyed cold puffing for a while before I hit with the flame.
Speaking of lighting it up, I gave it some more cold puffs to please the palate that used my double flame torch to warm the foot to an even orange glow and drew in the first puffs of mild black pepper notes. Follow along as I burn this guardian to ash.
Cigar Review Notes
- First puffs offer mild black pepper with a fairly smooth retro-hale
- Light grey ash forms on top of a wavy, medium thick, char line
- Slight vanilla note enters behind the pepper
- Cocoa aromas waft off the foot gracing the nostrils
- After an inch into the burn mild fruit notes add to the pleasure as the pepper has all but receded
- Spice notes begin to develop
- The is starting to get flaky as I fall in a decent chunk revealing a slightly off centered burn cone
- Off burn develops moving into the second third
- Cream notes wrap the spicy fruit adding a fine balance to the profile
- Touch up required
- Deep in the second third, nuances of cocoa joined with fruity sweetness grace the taste buds
- A pleasant cashew notes takes it into the final
- Medium strength
- Total Smoking Time was 1 hour and 45 minutes
Final Analysis
The AGANORSA Leaf – Guardian of the Farm Cerberus Toro delivered on a moderately complex and enjoyable flavor profile that offered definitive and nuanced notes and aromas. Starting with a medium amount of black pepper and ending with a tasty cashew note, I thoroughly enjoyed the well balanced profile as it transitioned from foot to nub offering notes of fruit, cocoa, vanilla, and spice. The burn however was not as spectacular with its flaky ash, off burn and need to be touched up. I liked it enough from a flavor perspective I would consider a five pack purchase. I rate this an 89.
Point Deductions: (-1) Flaky Ash; (-1) Off Burn; (-1) Off centered Burn Cone; (-1) Wavy Burn; (-1) Touch Up Required
