Today I take a look at the third in the three-part series from LaVega Cigars. This time it is the LaVega Cigars “IL Terzo” which means “the third”.
For this blend, Aaron Paoletta, Owner of LaVega Cigar Co., went with a medium blend described as:
- Wrapper – Mexican San Andres
- Binder – Dominican Olor
- Filler – Criollo 98, Nicaraguan, Pennsylvania Broadleaf
They are expressed in 2 vitolas, each packaged in 20-count bundles. It should be noted that the company offers retailers a space saving tray to display all three blends.
- Robusto (5 x 52) – MSRP $9.50
- Toro (6 x 50) – MSRP $11.99
All LaVega cigars are hand crafted at Tabacalera Las Lavas in Santiago, Dominican Republic.
For this review, I sampled three of the LaVega Cigars IL Terzo Robustos, which I received from the company for the purpose of reviewing on Stogie Press.
Pre-Light Examination
The La Vega IL Terzo is wrapped with a toothy, oily, dark brown leaf that has some marbling and a few noticeable veins running through it. The packing is firm though there is a little more give near the foot. A simple cap finishes the construction.
A single band adorns the cigar. It is essentially the same as the others blends in the company’s inaugural lineup, except the color combination is vibrant red, purple and gold and the name “IL Terzo” is identified on the band. The band includes the same 6 gold tribute circles on the bottom.
Running the barrel along the nose, I did not pick up much along the barrel while the foot offers a bright and pungent, almost vinegar aroma.
I sliced the cap straight across the shoulder and proceeded to give it some cold draw puffs. I found the draw resistance to be a tad tighter than the other La Vega cigars I reviewed. The draw offered sour fruit and acidic notes with a growing peppery sensation.
Using my fan flame torch, I warmed the foot to an even orange glow and drew in the first sweet and sour puffs of smoke to start the journey. Follow along as I burn this one to ash.
Cigar Review Notes
- Sweet and sour cherry notes start the journey
- Solid white ash forms on top of a thin char line
- The draw is a tad tight with a medium volume of smoke production
- A sweet cracker aroma wafts off the foot in the early burn
- Ash fell early revealing a flat but centered burn cone
- Graham cracker notes and cocoa brighten the profile entering the second third
- Mild spice notes join the mix
- Pleasant fruity notes highlight the mid-point
- Smoke volume has opened up
- Aroma shifts to a maple syrup note
- Burn starts to develop a wave
- Flavors remain consistent into the final with a slight increase in spice
- Burns a tad hot in the final
- Medium in Strength
- Total Smoking Time was 1 hour and 25 minutes
Final Analysis
The La Vega IL Terzo Robusto journey begins with a delightful blend of sweet and sour cherry notes, setting the stage for what’s to come. Early on, a tempting aroma reminiscent of sweet crackers emanates from the foot. Transitioning into the second third, the profile evolves with the introduction of graham cracker and cocoa undertones, which are soon complemented by mild spice notes. The midpoint is marked by the emergence of pleasant fruity accents, coinciding with an increase in smoke volume and a shift in aroma to a tantalizing maple syrup essence. However, as the burn progresses, a slight wave develops, though the flavors persist consistently into the final third, accompanied by a subtle uptick in spice. Despite this, the cigar tends to burn a touch hot as it nears its conclusion. This would be worth grabbing a fiver of. I rate this a 90.
Point Deductions: (-1) Medium Volume of Smoke; (-1) Flat but Centered burn cone; (-1) Wavy burn in second half; (-2) Burns hot in final
Bonus Points: (+1) Pleasurable profile across multiple samples
