La Aurora 1987 Connecticut Cigar Review

Founded in 1903, the La Aurora factory is the oldest in the Dominican Republic. The company was started by an 18 year man, Eduardo León Jimenes, who had tobacco knowledge in his genes since birth. Eduardo’s father and grandfather were both tobacco growers and taught him all the traditions he needed to be successful. That knowledge, hard work, and tradition certainly paid off as the company is still in business now for 114 years.

The La Aurora 1987 Connecticut was released in 2016 and represents a nod back to the year 1987 when the company first dabbled in the use of Connecticut shade tobacco.

The blend of this new Connecticut version is described as:

• Wrapper: Ecuador (República Dominicana)
• Binder: Corojo (Valle del Cibao – República Dominicana)
• Filler: Valle del Cibao (República Dominicana) y Nicaragua

A value priced cigar, that has an MSRP ranging between $6.00 and $7.00, the La Aurora 1987 Connecticut is available in 5 vitolas and packaged in 20-count boxes.

• Churchill – 7 x 47
• Cetros – 6.5 x 42
• Gran Toro – 6 x 58
• Toro – 5.75 x 54
• Robusto – 5 x 50

Pre-light Examination

The La Aurora 1987 Connecticut is a medium tan cigar that has just a touch of red hue to it. Packed well with tight seams and a simply applied cap, this cigar has a decent weight in the hand. There are two bands on the cigar, the primary is a red, gold, and white band with the La Aurora lion centered in it. The secondary band declares it as the Connecticut blend.

The sniff exam offered a delightful fruity aroma off the foot and after slicing the easily removed cap, the cold draw was a tad tight with a hint of pepper and earth that tantalized the lips.

For this review I sampled two La Aurora 1987 Connecticut Robustos which I received from the company.

---

Cigar Review Notes

• White pepper on initial puffs
• Pepper pulls back quickly and makes way for some tasty fruit, butter, and sea salt
• Light grey ash develops
• Well behaved medium char line
• Smoke volume is medium through a slightly restricted draw
• Cherry and dry leather enters in second third
• Spicy almond aroma develops
• Spice and cherry continue through the second third
• No bitterness is detected, in fact a gentle sweetness wraps the cherry note
• The ash is amazing solid and well-formed
• Aroma shifts to more of a floral into the second third
• Ash finally fell moving into last third
• Perfectly centered burn cone is revealed
• Pepper and spice increase in the final third
• Mild to Medium Strength
• Total Smoking time was 1 hour and 10 minutes down to the nub!

Overall, the La Aurora 1987 Connecticut is well worth the price. The flavors were different from most Connecticut cigars I have smoked and the burn was perfect throughout, not to mention the amazing ash it carried from its excellent construction. I enjoyed both these cigars as the first burn of the day in the morning. It paired very well with a cup of sweet black coffee.