Cigar Preview: The Mi Amor Reserva by La Aroma de Cuba!

Why does it always seem there is more love to go around, well, La Aroma de Cuba is keen to illustrate this with their release of the Mi Amor Reserva. Quick blurb coming from the IPCPR is the release of this beauty which will feature a Mexican Oscuro wrapper rather than the San Andres Maduro on the regular Mi Amor. According to the releases going out to retailers, the Mi Amor Reserva will come in four box-pressed sizes, however, those sizes have not yet been revealed. Keep an eye out for a review as you know how much I loved the regular Mi Amor so I will certainly be getting my hands on one or two of these puppies!

Cigar Review: Why You'll Fall In Love With The Mi Amor By La Aroma DeCuba

How do I love you, let me count the ways, and the Mi Amor from La Aroma De Cuba will have you counting! This divine little cigar treats you like a good lover should! Easy on the eyes in its near ebony perfection, it starts gentle and then gets a little rough.

This beauty features a Mexican wrapper, not known for fantastic leaf, which is an unusual selection for such an important portion of the cigar. Rumor around the blogosphere is that this increase in Mexican tobacco popularity is isolated to the San Andreas tobacco. However, Ashton and Pepin remain hush on the topic revealing only that it is a Mexican Cuban seed Maduro.

Things you should concern yourself with:

• Mexican Cuban seed Maduro wrapper
• Nicaraguan binder
• Nicaraguan filler
• 5X50 Robusto
• Gentle box press design

Looking at this cigar before cutting and lighting is enough to bring awe to the smoker. The Cuban seed Mexican Maduro leaf is a gorgeous chocolatey exterior, with one of La Aroma de Cuba's ever detailed and exquisite labels, that wraps this cigars overall package. Its just a little bit soft which indicates to me it's healthy and should be a good draw which is confirmed after cutting and doing a pre-light draw. Before lighting I also get the flavor of cocoa coming from the cigar.

Once lit, I was greeted with a full on cocoa flavor with a cedar undertone. The smoke gained complexity later by adding the most subtle hints of earth and leather. However, for me, the best part comes from the beginning of the second third. As repeated in the multiple sticks I have had the Mi Amore, once you hit the second third the strength of the cigar increases exponentially! With this also come caramel and bit of spice clinging onto the chocolate flavor's coat-tails! Finally coming to the final third, the chocolate is still present but begins to take a backseat to the wood and the now present gentle pepper. It isn't until the cigar has burned long enough to get into finger toasting range that it gives your tongue that bite.

All throughout this smoke it produced a very nice, slightly layered light grey ash that could cling for close to two inches before dropping. The cigar also burned impressively straight which is a good feat for a box pressed cigar. With a good price ranging around the $6.50-$7.00 mark, a well dressed exterior, and a complex flavor, the Mi Amor by La Aroma de Cuba will have you feeling a little flutter in your heart too!

Cigar Event: The Ashton and Odell's Brewery Cigar Pairing Pt. 2

Yesterdays post was the first part of a four part blog post where I share my experience at the Ashton cigar and Odell Brewery pairing dinner at d'Vine Bistro hosted by Edwards Pipe and Cigar. I discussed the San Cristobal Elegancia Imperial cigar with Odell's Easy Street Wheat and d'Vine's green chili, potato, and cheddar soup. Today, I will be discussing the second pairing of the evening.

The pairing started with the chef of d'Vine presenting his next course: Piri Piri Lettuce Wraps. These were delicately wrapped portions of slow-braised pork shoulder cooked in a Ethiopian sauce using Piri Piri which comprised of allspice, birds eye pepper, smoked paprika, cumin, and cardamom, all wrapped snug in a leaf of lettuce, served with a cucumber and cilantro slaw.

Next up was Niko of Odell Brewery to present Levity Amber Ale, a lighter version of an amber ale with a light and honey malted flavor which is a full-bodied brewed delight!

And of course, the cigar is presented by Randy of Edwards Pipe and Cigar. The wraps and beer were paired with a La Aroma de Cuba Edicion Especial #5. It is a handcrafted Nicaraguan made by the Garcia family. Using a "Cubanesque" blend of precisely aged Nicaraguan leaf which is reflected in its near perfect construction, from its gently marbled milk chocolate appearance, to its effortless draw.

This cigar has some defined woody flavors that combines well with the Levity and the Piri Piri wraps had an amazing smoked, sweet and spicy flavor that balanced almost as if on the edge of a blade while never teetering too far to one side or the other. The Levity has the ability to soothe the bite of the Piri Piri's spice, but bolsters the flavors of the Ethiopian spice blend.


Of the pairings from this evening this was, by far, one of my favorites. The pork was cooked perfectly while the lettuce and the cucumber and cilantro slaw gave the meal the just perfect crisp texture! However, this evening was far from over. Check in tomorrow to see part three of this four part post!