For more than three decades, La Tradición Cubana Cigar Company has been crafting premium cigars in the United States while preserving the traditions of old-world Cuban cigar making. Founded by Luis Sanchez and now operating out of Lakeland, Florida, the company has built its reputation on small-batch production and hands-on craftsmanship.
The American Born Cubans, commonly referred to as the ABC, pays tribute to Cuban-Americans who have embraced life in the United States while continuing to honor the heritage and traditions of their families. Fittingly, the cigar is handcrafted in Lakeland, Florida, making it a true American-made premium cigar.
Blend Information
- Wrapper: Mexican San Andrés
- Binder: Indonesian
- Filler: Select Nicaraguan tobaccos
For this review, I sampled two of the American Born Cubans (7 1/8 x 56) box-pressed Salomon. The cigar is currently offered in five-packs priced at $70.00, slightly below its individual MSRP of $15.00 per cigar.
You can purchase these direct from the company at:
La Tradicion Cubana
812 E Main St.
Lakeland, Fl. 33801
Tel. 863-500-3717
Pre-Light Examination
The American Born Cubans presents itself as a well-constructed box-pressed Salomon. The cigar was draped in a dark brown, oily wrapper with a subtle amount of marbling running through the leaf. It was smooth to the touch with practically no visible veins. The cap and tapered foot tip were both neatly applied. A gentle examination along the barrel revealed consistent packing with no noticeable soft spots.
The cigar is adorned with a single band that displays both the American and Cuban flags. The name American Born Cubans is boldly printed across the band.
Running the cigar along the nose produced barnyard and spice aromas from the wrapper. Because of the tightly tapered Salomon foot, I was unable to discern much additional aroma from the foot itself, but I liked what I detected along the barrel.
I clipped approximately a quarter-inch from the tip of the cap and gave the cigar a few cold-draw puffs. The restriction was quite pleasant, offering introductory notes of cream and black pepper.
The Cigar Journey
The American Born Cubans opened with black pepper, especially on the retrohale, followed by a background of sweet dried fruit. A clean white ash began forming above a medium-thick char line.
Once the burn moved beyond the tapered foot and reached the cigar’s full ring gauge, the profile became more savory. The smoke was smooth and full volume, while a nut-like aroma began drifting from the foot.
The dried-fruit character became more noticeable deeper into the first third. Construction remained solid, with the ash holding firmly and the burn maintaining a mostly even path. Near the end of the first third, the ash fell in a solid section, revealing a well-formed and centered burn cone.
Moving into the second third, dark cocoa took center stage as the early black pepper faded. A natural sweetness began to grow through the profile, complementing the cocoa and savory foundation.
Approaching the midway point, an exotic spice note entered the mix. A lingering nut sensation remained on the palate after each puff, providing additional depth to the finish. The spice gradually increased deeper into the second third without overwhelming the sweeter cocoa and dried-fruit elements.
The final third introduced a touch of mouthwatering citrus rind. The brighter citrus note provided contrast to the darker cocoa, spice, and nut flavors that had carried the cigar through the middle portion of the journey.
The cigar remained medium in strength throughout the experience. No touch-ups or relights were required during the 1-hour-and-30-minute smoking experience.
Final Analysis
The La Tradición Cubana American Born Cubans Box-Pressed Salomon delivered a balanced and evolving profile supported by excellent construction. The journey began with black pepper and dried fruit before becoming increasingly savory and nutty. Dark cocoa and natural sweetness controlled the middle portion, while exotic spice and citrus rind added contrast later in the experience. Despite its dark Mexican San Andrés wrapper and substantial size, the cigar remained comfortably medium in strength. The smooth, full smoke production and gradual flavor transitions made it approachable while still offering enough complexity to maintain interest throughout the experience.
At $15.00 per cigar—or $70.00 for the five-pack—the American Born Cuban represents a solid handcrafted, American-made premium cigar. I would recommend buying the five-pack, and I would certainly smoke this one again.
