Keeping true to form with the theme of his Aging Room Quatrro line, Rafael Nodal has recently released the latest in the line – the Quattro Nicaragua Sonata. This has been a much-awaited cigar since the company’s release of the award-winning Aging Room Quattro Nicaragua back in 2019.
The Sonata is Rafael’s way to describe this Nicaraguan puro. A Sonata, in musical terms, is a musical composition for a solo instrument or a small number of instruments typically in 3 or 4 movements in contrasting forms and keys. So, in terms of the blend, the leaves all come from A.J. Fernandez’s Nicaraguan farms but are of different seed varietals to offer the palate varying movements of flavor.
Rafael noted:
“Beethoven’s Moonlight and other sonatas from Mozart, Schubert, Chopin and Rachmaninoff are among my favorites.”
The Aging Room Quattro Nicaragua Sonata is expressed in six different vitolas each packaged in 20-count boxes.
- Espressivo (5 x 50) – MSRP $13.02
- Maestro (6 x 52) Torpedo – MSRP $13.13
- Vibrato (6 x 54) – MSRP $13.24
- Concerto (7 x 50) – MSRP $13.37
- Impromptu (6.5 x 52) double-tapered figurado – MSRP $14.98
- Grande (6 x 60) – MSRP $13.55
The cigars are made at the A.J. Fernandez factory in Estelí, Nicaragua.
For this review, I sampled 2 Aging Room Quattro Nicaragua Sonata Vibratos that I purchased at my local brick and mortar – Executive Cigar Shop & Lounge in Melbourne, FL.
Pre-Light Examination
The Aging Room Quattro Nicaragua Sonata Vibrato is a medium brown/dark tan box pressed cigar. It has a slightly oily wrapper with smooth texture throughout. There is a touch of marbling throughout the wrapper and has minimal veins. The packing is firm, and the construction is finished with a double cap.
Two bands adorn the cigar. The primary band uses the standard Aging Room brand mark and identifies it as Quattro F55N. The Secondary band is placed just below the primary and uses a yellow, gold and black motif. It denotes this as the Nicaraguan Sonata.
Running the barrel only the nose, I noted a pungent fermented leaf aroma while the foot had an even stronger pungent note with some earthiness.
I opened the cap perfectly with my CigarMedics Baller and gave it some cold draw puffs that had a draw that was spot on. The cold draw offered notes of natural sweetness and a cayenne spice with a hint of fruit.
Using my single flame torch, I warmed the foot to an even orange glow and drew in the first notes of pepper and tanginess to start the journey. Follow along as I burn this one to ash.
Cigar Review Notes
- Pepper and tanginess start the journey
- Light grey ash forms on top of a thick slightly wavy char line
- Ash fell early revealing a flat but centered burn cone
- There is a mild wave in the burn
- An undertone of fruit and developing spice joins the profile
- Increased fruit notes appear moving into the second third with a touch of sweetness
- Strength begins to increase midway through
- Ash has been falling often
- Gentle cinnamon spice notes enter deep in the second third
- Dark chocolate notes appear moving into final
- Full strength
- Total Smoking Time was 1 hour and 30 minutes
Final Analysis
The Aging Room Quattro Nicaragua Sonata Vibrato journey commences with an explosion of vibrant pepper and invigorating tanginess that awaken the senses. Amidst this symphony of flavors, a subtle undertone of ripe fruit intertwines with the emerging tapestry of evolving spices, adding depth and complexity to the flavor profile. Progressing into the second movement, the fruit notes crescendo, accompanied by a nuanced hint of sweetness that dances upon the palate, a delightful interplay of tastes.
The journey witnesses a gradual crescendo of strength, a steady ascent that commands attention without overpowering. Deep within the second phase, whispers of gentle cinnamon spice emerge, weaving a warm and comforting thread through the narrative of flavors.
As the finale draws near, a 3rd movement occurs—dark chocolate notes take the stage, infusing the closing moments with a rich and indulgent essence that lingers on the palate. In retrospect, the journey, marked by its dynamic interplay of flavors unfolds as an exquisite tapestry of taste, leaving a lasting impression. This is worth grabbing a fiver of and I rate it a 92.
Point Deductions: (-1) Wavy Burn; (-1) Flat but centered burn cone; (-1) Ash falls often
Bonus Points: (+1) Pleasant and balanced across multiple samples
