I was recently gifted this GTO Dominican Cigars Corona de GTO 10 Años Corojo from a great BOTL – Barry Bones Argento, the host of the No Bones About It Podcast and a proud Cigar Rights of America Ambassador. I have to say, I am really starting to discover the GTO craft and I can’t thank Barry enough for this one.
The Corona de GTO 10 Años was created by Dr. Oscar Rodriguez, owner of GTO Dominican Cigars, to celebrate the company’s ten years in business. It was released in 2019 and came in a Maduro and Corojo blend, each of which were Dominican puros. Later in 2019, the company added a U.S. Connecticut version. For this review I sampled the Corona de GTO 10 Años Corojo.
The Corona de GTO 10 Años is expressed in a single (6 x 54) toro and comes packaged in 24-count boxes. The cigars is a limited edition where only 2,000 boxes of each blend were produced and carries an MSRP of $9.99/cigar.
As noted, this a Dominican Puro and uses proprietary leaf grown on company’s farms.
Pre-Light Examination
The Corona de GTO 10 Años Corojo has a mildly veiny and dark tan wrapper that has a decent oily sheen and shows some slight marbling throughout. There is a light toothiness as you run your finger along the barrel. The cigar is solidly packed from head to foot ad is neatly finished with a simple cap.
Two bands adorn the cigar. The primary band is an elaborate band with a colorful painting of the fields, barns, and workers in the center. A golden crown tops the band and golden tobacco leaf surrounds it. The bottom of the band declares it as the Corona de GTO 10 Años. There is also a gold footer band.
As I ran the barrel along the nose, there was little aroma on the first pass but a few more passes I picked up a hint of licorice. The foot was brighter in aroma with notes of cocoa and nutmeg.
I sliced the cap straight across the shoulder and proceeded to give it some cold draw puffs that were spot on with restriction and delivered notes of pepper and licorice.
With the pre-light spiking my interest , I warmed the foot with my dual flame torch and drew in the first puffs to start the journey. I was surprised hat the initial puffs were tamer than the pre-light aromas, offering a delicious cocoa note. Follow along as I break this one down and burn the Corona de GTO 10 Años to ash.
Cigar Review Notes
- Journey starts with a rich cocoa notes
- Caramel and dry fruit join the mix early
- White ash forms on top of a medium thick char line
- This is very pleasant start to the journey
- Creamy sweetness enter near the end of first third to add to the pleasure
- Ash fell in a nice chunk, revealing a decently formed and centered burn cone
- Spice notes evolve moving through second third
- Woody nuances add to the mix
- Syrupy aroma wafts off the foot midway
- Increased spice going easing into the final third
- Cocoa nuances hide behind the spice
- Medium in strength
- Total Smoking Time was 1 hour and 40 Minutes
Final Analysis
The GTO Dominican Cigars – Corona de GTO 10 Años Corojo is exactly what one expects from an anniversary cigar. From pre-light through to the nub, it offered a balanced array of tasty flavors and pleasantly sweet aromas. Staring with a rich cocoa note the profile evolved beautifully ending with cocoa cloaked in spice. Being medium in strength, this is one that can be enjoyed anytime of the day weather a morning cup of coffee or a late evening cordial, I am sure you will be delighted. Construction was all but flawless. This is most certainly box worthy if any cigar is. As it is said…Those That Know – Smoke GTO. I rate this a solid 95.
Point Deductions: (-1) Flat but Centered Burn Cone
Bonus Points: (+1) Excellent Burn; (+1) Buy a Box
