El Yayabo Cigars extended their portfolio of fine cigars at this years IPCPR in Las Vegas. You may have read the Stogie Press review of the original Yayabo last year (our number 6 cigar of 2015), or perhaps you have read the review of the Cirion which made our Top 25 contender list this year Today I have the pleasure of presenting the review of the El Yayabo Doña Diana.
Before I get into the review, let me say I have known this beautiful family of Cuban immigrants for over 2 years now. After leaving Cuba they settled in Nicaragua and began farming. I am told their leaf was quite good! The farm thrived and a number of the cigar manufacturers started to buy their yield. Guided by Mrs. Diany Perez, they moved into producing cigars and in 2014 they released their inaugural cigar.
Diany Perez
I met Diany at the 2014 IPCPR in New Orleans and have been sharing the Yayabo Cigar line with many friends ever since. Everyone wants to know, where to get them. Diany is an amazing woman and her love of the plant and the art of making cigars shines in all they do. But, instead of me telling you about Diany, I suppose it would be better to read how she describes herself through the Doña Diana, as I could not have said it any better. When I asked her about the background of the new Doña Diana she gave the following reply:
“I wanted a cigar that fit my characteristics. I decided on a strong blend with a touch of sweetness and a blend of flavors that you think you know but can’t put words to keeping an air of mystery. The appearance had to be elegant, subtle and Doña Diana describes me to the T. This is a cigar constructed with 90% of its leaf grown in my own farmlands and processed by us. This assures the quality and flavor are controlled by me. The only part of this cigar that I personally did not have a hand in, is the wrapper which is Ecuadorian.
This is a full flavored that is sure to please and dominate.”
That sums up the Diany Perez I know!
Now let’s discuss the cigar itself. The Doña Diana, is a classic 6 x 50 toro packaged in a stunning, glossy white and gold, 20-count box. The blend is described in the quote above, but it bears repeating:
- Wrapper – Ecuadorian Habano
- Filler – Nicaraguan (Yayabo Grown)
- Binder – Nicaraguan ( Yayabo Grown)
The MSRP for Doña Diana is $8.60 USD
I have smoked a few Doña Diana cigars since the IPCPR. Todays review is based on numerous samplings, with the latest being aged in my humidor for about 5 months.
Cigar Review Notes
- Smooth and waxy medium to dark brown wrapper which has slight red hue
- Nicely rolled, no visible seams and solid to the touch
- Exotic spice and cocoa aromas off the foot
- The barrel has a curing barn aroma
- The cold draw further entices the palate with cocoa powder and a tinge of pepper
- First puffs deliver that pepper burst to the nose, lips, and palate
- Wrapper takes no time oiling up
- Pepper recedes a bit after a half-inch
- Ash is light grey on a thick char line
- Spice prevails in the first inch and half with a dry fruit aroma
- Fruit enters end of first third
- Solid straight ash
- Coffee tangos with the fruit, eventually blending together
- Hitting medium strength
- Smoke is full body with a creamy texture
- Sweet Cedar notes enter
- Ash fell after a good two inches with a well centered burn cone
- The tongue picks up delectable sweetness on the head
- The flavors have blended well delivering a smoke that I dare say; “It is easy to ingest“
- The aroma shifts to more of a spicy nut
- The nut moves into the profile as the strength moves up to medium plus by the end of the second third
- Consistent burn and solid ash
- Total smoking time – 70 Minutes
Overall, Wow! The El Yayabo Doña Diana is another example of what excellent farming, curation, blending, and rolling can produce. The flavors and burn of the Doña Diana was spot on. The only thing that I would add to this experience is a sweet coffee or aged rum to further enhance the flavors.
In total transparency I would like to say El Yayabo is a Stogie Press sponsor, but in no way has that effected this review. These cigars are that good, ask anyone who has smoked them.
El Yayabo Doña Diana