Back in 2010, Sam and Rosie Lopez founded and opened up their cigar lounge – Fine Ash Cigars – in Glendale Arizona. It has been a family owned and operated cigar lounge ever since with the intention of creating an environment where cigar lovers could access premium and boutique cigars locally in a single location. When possible, the staff of Fine Ash Cigars (It’s just Sam & Rosie) will personally deliver cigars to customers of whom they also consider part of their family and ship boxes across the states to their extended friends.
In mid 2024, they announced the creation of their first branded cigar, the Ceniza Fina Corojo, which means Fine Ash in English. At the 2025 PCA they added aa Connecticut blend to the line. To create the blends, they worked with Hostos Fernandez Quesada, known for his exceptional blending skills, and who operates the renowned “Tabacalera La Isla” factory in Santiago, Dominican Republic. This factory has produced cigars for esteemed brands such as Warped, Matilde, Viaje, and Casa 1910, attesting to their expertise and reputation in the industry. If the name Quesada sounds familiar, Hostos is the nephew of Manuel Quesada. Nationwide distribution of the line is handled by Pospiech Inc.
Today I would like to offer my review of the original Ceniza Fina Corojo which I received from the company at this year’s PCA.
Fine Ash Cigars describes the blend of the Ceniza Fina Corojo as:
- Wrapper: Corojo
- Binder: Mexican
- Filler: Piloto Cubana, Criollo 98, Nicaraguan Jalapa, and HVA Tobaccos
The cigar are expressed in three different vitolas, each packaged in 20-count wooden boxes:
- Corona Gorda (6×46) – MSRP $10.00
- Robusto (5×50) – MSRP $12.50
- Toro: (6×50) – MSRP$11.00
Pre-Light Examination
A silky-smooth, dark tan wrapper drapes the cigar. It has minimal veins and a nice oily sheen. I found the packing to be firm from head to foot. The cigar is pressed into more of an oval shape that I found to be well done. A decent cap completes the construction.
Two bands adorn the cigar. The primary band proudly displays the company’s logo in the center and the words CENIZA FINA across the top and Premium Handmade on the bottom of the Red, White, Blue and Gold band. A secondary Blue, White and Gold band is placed just below the primary and declares this as the COROJO blend.
Running the cigar along the nose, I picked up sweet, fermented tobacco along the barrel while the foot presented tangy, sour like notes.
Once I sliced the cap straight across the shoulder of the cigar, I gave some cold draws that offered peppery and butter like notes.
Using my dual flame lighter, I warmed the foot to an even orange glow and drew in the first puffs of smoke to start the journey, which I would describe as a tad harsh on the palate. Follow along as I burn this one to ash.
Cigar Review Notes
- Opening notes are a little harsh to start
- A white ash forms on top of a medium thick char line
- After a half inch of burn the flavors begin to develop with earth and pepper
- Light sweet fruity aromas waft off the foot early in the burn
- The overall profile the cigar is a tad astringent in the first third
- There is a nice oiling above the burn line
- Moving towards the second third the draw is getting smoother with sweet tobacco notes on the lips from the wrapper
- As the early tannic notes fade a mouthwatering sensation begins to present itself
- The aroma shifts to more of a toasted cracker
- An off burn developed in the second third but no touch up was required
- Pleasant fruity notes join the profile adding a jam like note on the cracker flavor
- The mid-point brings nutty nuances to the mix
- Long solid ash finally drops revealing a decent burn cone
- Very pleasant profile in second half as cocoa nuances join along with a sweet nutty aroma
- Mild cream notes deep in second third into the final
- Lingering nut on the palate
- Medium in strength
- Total Smoking Time was 1 hour and 25 minutes
Final Analysis
The Ceniza Fina Corojo Robusto opens with a slightly abrasive edge. Within the first half inch, the flavor begins to evolve, gradually revealing a base of earth and pepper that sets a grounded foundation. Wisps of sweet, fruity aroma drift from the foot early in the burn, offering a gentle contrast to the more robust opening. The first third leans slightly astringent, with a tannic sharpness that tingles on the palate. A subtle oiling develops just above the burn line suggesting complexity yet to come.
As the cigar transitions into the second third, the draw becomes more refined, with a silky smoothness emerging. Sweet tobacco lingers lightly on the lips, softening the earlier edges. The once-pronounced tannins recede, replaced by a pleasingly mouthwatering sensation. The aroma matures, shifting into notes reminiscent of toasted crackers. A jam-like sweetness joins the profile, layering over the cracker tone and adding a sense of richness. At the midpoint, subtle nutty nuances arrive, gently deepening the flavor profile. The second half is particularly harmonious, with cocoa weaving its way through the smoke, complemented by a sweet, nutty aroma. Hints of mild cream emerge deep into the second third and linger into the final stretch, smoothing the edges further.
The experience closes with a soft, lingering nutty finish that stays on the palate, rounding out a journey both dynamic and satisfying. This is worth grabbing a fiver of. I rate this a 92
Point Deductions: (-1) Harsh Start; (-1) Early Astringent notes; (-1) Slight Off Burn; (-1) Wavy burn in second half
Bonus Points: (+1) Nice Oiling above the Burn Line; (+1) Long Ash
