I was downtown Melbourne, FL with my wife yesterday and ran into the rep from La Hoja Cigars, at the Executive Cigar Shop and Lounge. We watched some football and talked cigars. He wanted me to check out the Hoja de Flores Auténtico Maduro, which he just so happened to have on him. I delightfully accepted it and told him this will require time in the Stogie Press smoking lounge. So after some football, a Cuban coffee, and a nice dinner with the Mrs we headed home and I settled into the cave.
I examined this fine 6-1/4 x 52 Torpedo one more time, before burning it up. A beautiful specimen of a cigar. The Corojo 2006 maduro wrapper was satin, smooth, and a proper brown color for an authentic maduro. I am told this is a Dominican puro blend of:
- original piloto
- 93 ligero
- seco Dominican filler
- Corojo 2006 maduro wrapper
I snipped the head and the pre-light draw offered some cedar and cocoa flavors. I knew this was shaping up to be a nice smoke. So before torching this sweetheart, I had to pair it up. This required a little Grand Marnier and for the vinyl selection some Doors – Morrison Hotel.
I settled back and fired her up. She did not provide any displeasure. The initial smoke was just as I expected, cedar and a little bit of citrus. I knew that Grand Marnier was the right pairing. The burn was near perfect, no ash issues at all. I slowly smoked it, wanting to savor the flavor of this vitola. The draw was perfect with rich creamy smoke. As she burned down, the fruit flavor got more pronounced definite orange peel, and I could sense the spice both in flavor and on my lips. My tongue was fired up with sweetness and bitterness.
Half way down – the dark grey ash was still going strong and the wrapper was getting more oily.
The music played on – from “Road House Blues” to “Ship of Fools” – as leaned back and puffed some creamy rich smoke rings. There was a subtle sweetness that entered the mix and the spice increased. I did notice that the stick got a little squishy at this point but it did not affect the burn or the flavor, so I ignored that.
As she burned into the last third the fruit emerged again and it finished off nicely with a balance of spice, cedar, and fruit. And the ash? Well it lasted beyond the label! Another well constructed cigar from La Hoja.
I was glad I ate dinner too, before burning this cigar, as this stick is a full-strength cigar.
It should also be noted that this vitola is available only in 100 shops in North America. So if you find it grab one and enjoy. I have since picked up another box.
La Hoja Autentico Maduro
Happy Smoking
~Boston Jimmie