The García family has long been recognized for producing some of the finest premium cigars coming out of Nicaragua. Their commitment to quality, tradition, and the art of blending has earned My Father Cigars a respected position among cigar enthusiasts worldwide. The My Father Le Bijou 1922 100 Años is a particularly meaningful creation, honoring the 100th anniversary of the birth of José García Alayón, father of legendary cigar maker José “Pepín” García. Originally introduced in 2022, the commemorative blend pays tribute to the family’s tobacco-growing heritage and the generations of knowledge that have shaped the My Father brand.
The name Le Bijou, French for The Jewel, has become synonymous with rich, complex Nicaraguan tobacco and exceptional craftsmanship. While the original Le Bijou 1922 is already a highly regarded blend, the 100 Años edition offers a special interpretation of this celebrated cigar.
For this review, I reviewed the box-pressed Corona Extra vitola, a beautifully presented cigar that would take me on a 70-minute journey of cream, chocolate, refined spice, and subtle sweetness.
Cigar Specifications
- Brand: My Father Cigars
- Cigar: Le Bijou 1922 100 Años
- Vitola Reviewed: Corona Extra
- Size: 5 1/2 × 48
- Wrapper: Nicaraguan Habano Oscuro
- Binder: Nicaraguan
- Filler: Nicaraguan
- Country of Origin: Nicaragua
- Factory: My Father Cigars S.A., Estelí, Nicaragua
- Strength: Medium-to-Full
- MSRP: Approximately $14.00
- Packaging: 22-count boxes
- Total Smoking Time: 1 hour and 10 minutes
The 100 Años has been offered in two vitolas:
- Corona Extra: 5 1/2 × 48 – Soft Box Press – MSRP $14.00
- Corona Especial: 6 1/2 × 44 – Parejo – MSRP $14.00
Pre-Light Examination
The My Father Le Bijou 1922 100 Años Corona Extra presents itself beautifully, sporting a medium-to-dark brown wrapper with an attractive matte finish. The wrapper is rather smooth to the touch, displaying minimal veins and a clean, refined appearance. Construction is equally impressive, featuring a crisp, well-defined box press that speaks to the craftsmanship behind this cigar. Of particular note is the beautifully executed twisted cap, an elegant finishing touch that adds character to the overall presentation.
The cigar is adorned with an elaborate three-piece band presentation that reflects the García family’s rich tobacco heritage and attention to detail.
The primary band features an ornate combination of red, gold, soft green, and pink tones, highlighted by intricate scrollwork, floral imagery, and decorative gold accents. At its center sits a prominent pink medallion displaying the intertwined My Father initials, with “J. Garcia & Garcia” beneath. The lower portion features the elegant My Father script, framed by decorative flourishes and the words “Hand Made.”
The secondary band, positioned just below the primary, continues the vintage-inspired design with a gold-toned central shield prominently displaying “Le Bijou 1922” in flowing black script. Soft green panels extend outward on either side, each bearing the words “MY FATHER,” accented by red borders, gold detailing, and small decorative monograms.
Completing the presentation is a vibrant orange satin foot ribbon, boldly printed with “100 Años” in black lettering. This distinctive commemorative ribbon provides a striking contrast to the ornate traditional bands and commemorates the centennial of José García Alayón’s birth.
Running the cigar along the nose, I detected a subtle cedar note along the barrel, while the foot offered a similar woody character accompanied by a touch of spice. With the visual and aromatic inspection complete, I sliced the cap and proceeded with the cold draw. The draw offered very good restriction, perhaps just a tad tighter than ideal, though nothing that raised immediate concern.
The cold draw delivered an inviting balance of natural tobacco sweetness, woody cedar notes, and a vanilla cream essence that added a smooth, rich dimension to the profile. As I continued drawing, a peppery spice began to develop, gradually intensifying with each successive draw while remaining nicely balanced against the sweetness and cream.
Overall, this was a very enticing pre-light experience, with the combination of cedar, vanilla cream, natural sweetness, and growing peppery spice setting the stage for an interesting smoking journey.
Smoking Journey
First Third – Pepper, Cream, and Black Tea
After firing up the foot, the initial puffs greeted me with a medium dose of peppery spice, particularly noticeable on the retrohale. A light gray ash began forming atop a medium-thick char line, while the draw proved smooth, alleviating any concerns about the slightly snug restriction noted during the cold draw.
As the burn progressed, the pepper began to meld wonderfully with a developing creaminess, creating a smooth, well-balanced profile. Interestingly, a subtle black tea note emerged, lending a delicate, slightly earthy character to the experience. It was an unexpected but welcome nuance that added another layer of complexity to the early profile.
The combination of pepper, cream, and black tea created an intriguing opening that was both flavorful and refined. Approaching the end of the first third, milk chocolate notes began to enter the mix.
Second Third – Dark Chocolate, Refined Spice, and Caramel
The ash eventually fell in a nice, solid chunk, revealing a decent burn cone beneath. Moving through the second third, the chocolate notes began to deepen, evolving into a richer, darker chocolate character.
A refined spice remained in the background, subtle yet persistent, complementing the growing richness without overpowering the palate. What impressed me most was how well the flavors worked together. The dark chocolate provided a rich foundation while the restrained spice added just enough contrast to keep the palate engaged.
Deeper into the second third, a mild caramel note joined the mix, introducing a touch of sweetness that paired well with the dark chocolate. The overall profile remained exceptionally mouthwatering, with the interplay of chocolate, caramel, and refined spice creating a satisfying experience.
The spice continued to weave its way through the profile, maintaining a pleasing balance as the cigar approached its final third.
Final Third – Growing Spice, Strength, and Sweet Fruit
As the cigar transitioned into the final third, the spice began to increase in intensity, accompanied by a noticeable rise in strength. The once-subtle spice became more prominent, giving the profile a bolder character without losing the refinement established earlier in the journey.
A hint of sweet fruit emerged, adding a pleasant contrast to the increasing spice and providing another layer of complexity. Rather than introducing an entirely new direction, the final third built upon the cigar’s established character, allowing the spice and strength to take a more commanding role.
The cigar finished at a medium-to-full strength, delivering a flavorful and evolving smoking experience.
Total Smoking Time: 1 hour and 10 minutes.
Burn and Construction
From a construction standpoint, the My Father Le Bijou 1922 100 Años Corona Extra performed admirably. The crisp box pressing, smooth wrapper, and beautifully executed twisted cap provided an excellent first impression. Although the cold draw initially felt slightly snug, the cigar opened up beautifully once lit, providing a smooth and comfortable draw throughout the smoking experience.
A light gray ash developed over a medium-thick char line, eventually falling in a solid chunk and revealing a decent burn cone. No burn corrections were required during the smoking session. Overall, the construction complemented the flavor experience, allowing the blend to develop naturally without unnecessary distractions.
Strength: Medium-to-Full
Smoking Time: 1 hour and 10 minutes
Final Analysis
The My Father Le Bijou 1922 100 Años Corona Extra is a beautifully crafted cigar that delivers an engaging and refined smoking journey. From its attractive wrapper and crisp box pressing to its elegant band presentation, the cigar makes an excellent first impression.
The My Father Le Bijou 1922 100 Años Corona Extra is a fine example of the García family’s blending expertise. It offers enough complexity to satisfy the experienced cigar enthusiast while maintaining a refined balance that allows each flavor to shine.
A worthy tribute to a century of García family tobacco heritage and another excellent smoking experience from My Father Cigars.
