I thought that this morning would be the perfect opportunity to preview one of our newest cigars that should be hitting our humidor shelves soon, La Aroma de Cuba Robusto. This new addition is one of many that we will be introducing from Ashton Cigars, a company known for its consistency and quality. In an age where many cigar makers are focused on bringing out new items each year  and creating a “what’s new” culture in the industry, Ashton focuses on making sure that they maintain the high level of quality that cigar lovers have come to expect from them. It is one of the few booths at the IPCPR Trade Show that one will not be bombarded with a dozen or so new cigars, newly found rare tobaccos or fancy line extensions.

One of their great lines is the La Aroma de Cuba. This one recently went through a few changes and is now being made by famed cigar-maker and master blender Jose “Don Pepin” Garcia in his Estelí, Nicaragua factory. The La Aroma de Cuba was once a Cuban cigar that was produced in the 19^th century. Today, its Cuban seeded Nicaraguan tobacco helps pay homage to those roots.

The first thing that grabs your attention on this stick, other than the gorgeous wrapper, is the ornate band. It's classic, elegant and a perfect representation of how the cigar tastes.

I get some nice spice notes to start the cigar, though the pepper isn’t as intense as one would expect from a Nicaraguan filled stick. The coffee and cocoa make an early appearance, thanks to the Connecticut Broadleaf wrapper, and along with some toast and woodsy flavors make the smoke very creamy. Although the pepper notes are intensified on the retrohale, as they usually are, the black pepper notes are otherwise blended nicely with the other flavors.

As I am enjoying this cigar for breakfast, the strength is coming off as medium to full-bodied, but I think that as an after-dinner smoke this would back down to a solid medium. As I wind down the cigar, I detect more cocoa and sweetness, but a quick exhale through the nasal passage quickly gives me a dose of hot pepper. I didn’t get any drastic changes in flavor as I smoked this cigar, it was just a solid combination of the flavors mentioned above throughout the smoke with sweetness picking up at the end.

I strongly suggest this smoke to seasoned veterans as well as new smokers as there is enough to satisfy both palates. Now, if I only had an omelet filled with cheese, spicy sausage, and jalapenos, my morning would be perfect. Wow, I may have just decided what I will be having for Sunday brunch.

Long Ashes,

Chris Gwaltney, ABC Fine Wine & Spirits North Florida regional manager, Certified Tobacconist and Cicerone Beer Server

Follow me on Twitter @abccigarchris.