La Aroma de Cuba is a brand that has been around since 2002 and is one that has been a “go-to” for me, ever since the Mi Amor hit the shelves. Geez, I just love the Mi Amor. The brand, which is part of the Ashton cigars portfolio, has been rather quiet the last few years, at least as far as new blends and introductions. That trend has been been snapped in 2021, as the father/son duo – Jose ‘Pepin’ and Jamie Garcia – have once again put their creative minds together and masterfully blended leaf from their various Nicaraguan fincas to create a pleasant and enjoyable, medium – full body smoking experience known as the Pasión. The name translates to Passion in English and that is most certainly what defines the Garcia’s. Their patience and passion to do things right shines in this new introduction.
The company website notes:
“Pasión boasts a stunning Shade Grown wrapper from the celebrated fields of Namanji, where tobacco plants thrive in a unique microclimate 18 miles east of Estelí. The Garcias recognized the region’s untapped potential more than a decade ago. Warm days, cool nights, and fertile black soils produce tobaccos of exceptional flavor, quality, and aroma. Today, over one-third of the private 300-acre estate is dedicated to Shade Grown wrapper on plots shielded from direct sunlight and nourished by the basin’s snaking river.
Every leaf of wrapper, binder, and filler harvested for Pasión undergoes a meticulous Triple Fermentation with respect to traditional methods. Profound notes of smoked cashew, leather, cedar, and molasses layer the palate with an extravagant spice and a medium to full-bodied finish. Savor a shining specimen of Garcia family terroir guided by an unwavering dedication to growing, aging, and blending the finest tobaccos in the world.“
The La Aroma de Cuba Pasión blend is described as a Nicaraguan puro that uses tobaccos grown and harvested from the Garcia farms in Nicaragua including a special shade grown leaf from their Namanji, Nicaraguan farm:
- Wrapper – Nicaraguan Namanji Shade Grown
- Binder – Nicaragua
- Filler – Nicaragua
The La Aroma de Cuba Pasión is expressed in 6 different vitolas each packaged in 25-count boxes:
- Corona Gorda (5 5/8 x 46) – MSRP $9.50
- Robusto (5 1/2 x 50) – MSRP $10.00
- Marveloso (6 x 52) – MSRP $10.75
- Churchill (7 x 49) – MSRP $10.85
- Box-Pressed Torpedo (6 1/8 x 54) – MSRP $10.95
- Encanto (6 x 60) – MSRP $11.50
For this review, I sampled the La Aroma de Cuba Pasión Encanto which I purchased after enjoying the torpedo at my local brick and mortar – Executive Cigar Shop and Lounge, Melbourne FL.
Pre-Light Examination
The La Aroma de Cuba Pasión Encanto is a well constructed, dark tan, beefy cigar that sports a fine oily sheen. The wrapper has a gentle marbling throughout and just a few veins running along the barrel. It is solidly packed and has a nice weight in the hand. An expertly applied triple cap completes the construction.
Two bands adorn the cigar using a pastel green background with gold and white accents. The primary band displays the company’s logo in the center and imagery of fincas and flowers on the left and right of the logo. The secondary band is placed just below and declares the cigar as the Pasión. I will say I like the color motif as I feel it pops on the background of the dark tan wrapper of the cigar and would draw your eyes to it in a humidor.
Running the La Aroma de Cuba Pasión across the nose, I picked up a mild smoky and spicy barrel while the foot exuded enticing notes of nut, spice, and dry fruit.
Using my double blade cutter, I sliced the well applied cap straight across the shoulder and gave it some cold draw puffs that I found to be just fine with restriction especially considering the large format of the cigar. I always get a little nervous with the bigger ring gauges but this showed early signs of behaving well. The cold draw offered a continued array of plate pleasing notes that included black pepper and cashew.
With the pre-light exam having me lick my hops to fire this up, I used my triple flame torch to slowly bring the foot to an even orange and drew in the the first puffs of medium black pepper and nut to start the journey. Follow along a I burn the Pasión to ash.
Cigar Review Notes
- Light black pepper and nut notes start the journey
- An early retro-hale is easy on the nasals
- A firm white ash forms on a medium thick char line
- Mild fruit notes and a touch of cedar join the mix in the early part of the burn
- The early nut reveals itself as cashew, especially in the aroma
- Ash drops in a nice chunk revealing a centered well formed burn cone
- Mild jag in the burn is noticeable
- Dry leather notes ramp up midway
- Dark chocolate nuances add to the pleasure
- Medium spice notes develop and lay in the background moving into the final third
- Medium to full in strength
- Total Smoking Time was solid 2 hours to the nub
Final Analysis
As I noted, the La Aroma de Cuba Mi Amor has been one of my “go-to” cigars for years and now the Don Pepin and Jamie Garcia have did it again and have grasped my attention with the the Pasión. This well balanced, medium complexity offering is one that offered pleasant notes and aromas from foot to nub with all trouble free burn and smooth draw. For a larger ring gauged cigar, this behaved remarkably well with just a mild jag in the burn here and there. I enjoyed the cashew and pepper notes that run through the core along with the dark chocolate nuances midway that just kept my palate interested down to the nub. If you are a fan of the Mi Amor then this will be one you want to add to your rotation as well I. It should also be noted that I smoked the box pressed torpedo also and found it to be equally enjoyable. This is box worthy and I rate it a solid 95.
Point Deductions: (-1) Mild Jag in Burn
Bonus Points: (+1) Box Worthy; (+1) Positive experience across multiple samples
