Sometimes in our beloved cigar industry what’s old is new. In today’s case, I am talking about the new Serino Cigar Company. The company is headed up by Tony Serino a name you may not be familiar with. Tony is also the owner of APS Distributors which has dealt in wholesale cigars for 20 years. Much of the APS business has been in the manufacturing of private label cigars for the industry but they may be best known for their 93 rated Vallejuelo line.
At this years IPCPR, Mr. Serino introduced his new cigar company, Serino Cigar along with 4 premium cigar entries aptly named the Serino Royale 20th Anniversary line. After 20 years in the business, even with a new company, earns you the right to celebrate with a special anniversary cigar. The Serino Royale 20th Anniversary comes in 4 different blends:
- Serino Royale 20th Anniversary Connecticut
- Serino Royale 20th Anniversary Medio
- Serino Royale 20th Anniversary Maduro
- Serino Royale 20th Anniversary Maduro XX
All blends are in regular production, manufactured at Omar González Alemán’s La Corona Factory, in Estelí, Nicaragua.
In fact, Tony Serino noted in his press release:
“To justify the investment and production of a super premium blend requires a partner that not only has the blending talent but also total control of the production from sowing the seeds to banding and boxing the blends. We have finally found that partner which offers us vertical integration.”
so if you don’t see these on the shelf you may want to ask your local shop about them.
Today I am going to review the Serino Royale 20th Anniversary Maduro XX which is available in 20-count boxes and 4 vitolas:
- Robusto (5 1/8 x 48) -MSRP $11.95
- Belicoso (5 1/2 x 52) -MSRP $12.50
- Toro (6 x 52) -MSRP $12.75
- Sublime (6 1/4 x 54) -MSRP $12.90
The blend for this majestic cigar is described as:
- Wrapper: Ecuadorian Habano 2000 (Oscuro Maduro)
- Binder: Nicaragua
- Filler: Nicaragua
For this review I sampled the Serino Royale 20th Anniversary Maduro XX Toro
Cigar Review Notes
- Gritty medium brown wrapper
- Majestic band and footer
- Well capped
- White pepper and hay aroma off the foot
- Not much aroma on the barrel
- I used a punch to open this up
- Cold draw is good with earthy and pepper notes
- Initial puffs offered cocoa, butter, and gentle pepper
- Light grey ash on medium char line
- Cocoa builds quickly on the palate
- Spicy herb aroma
- Medium body of smoke
- Cocoa blends with a coffee note after first inch
- Decent burn cone – fairly centered
- Smoke is full and smooth approaching the end of first third
- Sweetness enters the profile to add to the now, cafe mocha note
- There is a bit of squish to the barrel entering the second third
- Coffee becomes more prominent in second third
- Nut aroma develops
- Spice enters start of final third
- Touch of bitter fruit at the end
- Solid medium to full strength
Overall the Serino Royale 20th Anniversary Maduro XX shows what 20 years in the business can create. This was an excellent smoke. It had the burn, flavor, and aromas one would expect from a seasoned veteran in the business. We look forward to more great smokes from Tony Serino and the Serino Cigar Company.
Serino Royale 20th Anniversary Maduro XX