Earlier this year, AGANORSA Leaf starting shipping their latest craft – the Rare Leaf – to shops nation =wide. I was lucky enough to purchase 5 of these from my friends at the Cigar Hustler in Deltona, FL. These were hard to come by and social media was buzzing about them especially since this new blend was highlighting Nicaraguan criollo tobaccos. Let’s break this Rare Leaf Reserve down.
To start with, AGANORSA describes the blend as:
- Wrapper – Nicaraguan (Jalapa)
- Dual Binder – Criollo 98 from two different fincas
- Filler – Criollo 98 and Corojo 99
The AGANORSA Leaf Rare Leaf Reserve is expressed in 3 different vitolas, each packed in 15-count boxes:
- Titan (6 x 60) – MSRP $12.10
- Toro (6 x 54) – MSRP $11.50
- Robusto (5 1/4 x 52) – MSRP $10.99
According to Terence Reilly, AGANORSA Leaf’s VP of sales and marketing:
“A constant challenge is utilizing tobaccos to create blends which are outstanding expressions of our signature flavor and aroma while still producing them in quantities viable to sustain production consistently rather than just as one time limited editions or available only sporadically throughout the year.
Rare Leaf will be the first project using selections of our Leaf in short supply that will be maintained in regular production. In order to achieve this, Rare Leaf will be available only to our Aganorsa Leaf Select retail partners.”
For this review I sampled three AGANORSA Leaf Rare Leaf Reserve Titans which I purchased from Cigar Hustler.
Pre-Light Examination
The AGANORSA Leaf Rare Leaf Reserve sports an oily and medium brown wrapper that has a slightly red tinge to it. The wrapper has minimal veins and is solid to the touch from head to foot. A well applied triple cap completes the presentation.
The cigar is adorned with two bands that each use a red, white, and gold motif. The primary band proudly displays the company’s logo while the secondary band, placed just below, declares it as the Rare Leaf Reserve.
Running the cigar along the nose, I picked up an enticing spice along the barrel while the foot exuded equally enticing notes of nut, mild cocoa, and butter.
Using my double blade Xikar cutter, I sliced the cap straight across the shoulder and proceeded to take some long cold draw puffs. I found the draw to be quite excellent especially considering the large ring gauge. The draw offered notes of growing black pepper.
With the pre-light exam much to my liking, I reached for my triple flame torch to warm to the foot and get the journey started. The Foot took well to the heat as I drew in the first peppery blasts of smoke. Follow along as I burn the Rare Leaf Reserve to ash.
Cigar Review Notes
- Medium black pepper shot to start the journey
- Natural sweetness with an accompanying sweet aroma develops
- Mild wave develops above the growing light grey ash
- Cedar notes join the mix adding to the early pleasant experience
- Decent volume of smoke fills the palate
- Excellent chunk of ash fell revealing a slightly off centered burn cone
- Floral nuance brightens the profile
- Cream notes build moving through the second third
- Sweet bread aroma has been wafting off the foot
- Mild spice lingers on the palate
- Dark chocolate graces the palate approaching the final third
- Espresso notes add to the mix moving through the final (think chocolate covered espresso beans)
- Medium in Strength
- Total Smoking Time was 1 hour and 40 minutes
Final Analysis
The AGANORSA Leaf Rare Leaf Reserve Titan was a fine example of a Nicaraguan Puro smoking experience and I am glad I bought five of these, as I still have 2 more left to rest and enjoy later in the year. The profile kept the palate interested from foot to nub with evolving flavors and aromas starting with a short peppery blast and ending with dark chocolate and espresso. This is most certainly worth picking up a fiver of, if you can find them. I rate this a 92.
Point Deductions: (-1) Mild Wave; (-1) Slightly Off Centered Burn Cone
