To celebrate the one hundredth anniversary of La Aurora, Jose Blanco and company created the Cien Años (One Hundred Years) limited edition cigar. First released in 2004, Cien Años is a Dominican puro with a corojo wrapper that has been aged for four years. The binder and filler have been quietly aging since 1996.

La Aurora was founded in 1903, so why was this celebratory line not released until 2004, a year past the anniversary? Well, it’s that pesky Dominican wrapper leaf. For whatever reason, growing wrapper in the DR is and always has been a real challenge. The corojo wrapper used on this line has lived up to its finicky reputation with a low yield: only a third of the harvest is usable for wrapper. So the anniversary release was consequently delayed.

On the bright side, this has resulted in slower distribution as well, making the Cien Años available over a longer period of time. Obviously this is still a very limited edition, with some sources reporting a total of 300,000 and others 400,000 sticks produced. It is still available at this time, though not widely, at a “super-premium” price.

This corona measures 5 3/4 inches by43, but if you prefer a larger cigar there are three other sizes available: churchill, belicoso, and robusto. The wrapper is smooth with very little grain, apart from a couple of knotty veins. The head is finished with a triple cap. The wrapper smells rich and slightly spicy — no barnyard scents here. The draw is firm and the prelight flavor is grassy with a touch of pepper.

I had a little trouble with the light on this one, and more burn issues were to follow. This corojo wrapper has an exquisite aroma of leather and spice — it’s actually quite similar to the aroma of many Cuban cigars. But this aroma apparently comes with a price, and that is constant attention to the burn. I had to retouch this little cigar several times to get it to burn straight.

It starts out smooth and mellow with a fairly mild body. After an inch or two it picks up strength and a leathery flavor. The finish grows from negligible at the beginning to quite lengthy as the stick burns, leaving a solid white ash behind. By the midpoint the flavor is somewhat similar to the 1495, but a little more sophisticated and not as aggressive. By the time the ash hits the band there’s a little more pepper, but the smoke is still smooth as glass. All the while I’m really diggin’ the aroma, a nice leathery smell with hints of caramel and cinnamon.

The 100 Años corona is a tasty medium to full bodied cigar with a lot of complexity and a top notch aroma. I’ve only tried one of these, and at 10 to 15 dollars a pop I won’t be sampling many more, but if you’ve got the budget you should stock up now. Construction issues aside, this is a really nice cigar.

It’s Election Day in the U.S., which gives us the opportunity to celebrate two great things: democracy, and an end to the most obnoxious campaign commercials I think we’ve ever seen. Baritone voiceovers saying stuff like “Senator X eats small children for breakfast…” (Cue grainy black and white picture of Senator X at a lunch counter.) “And Senator X is hungry…” But despite the political division that exists in this country, there is something we can all agree on: we’re glad the electioneering is OVER!

Surviving the midterm elections calls for a honkin’ big stogie, so I hauled out a Pueblo Dominicano. Like the last four or five cigars reviewed here, this also is a La Aurora production. Available in two sizes: a large torpedo, and a giant double corona. I happen to have both on hand, although the torpedoes have several more months humidor time and I think are a little bit better. Whether it’s the size or the aging that gives them the edge, I’m not sure.

A new series of Pueblo Dominicano has just been introduced with an entirely new blend, so it’s important to note that these are from the first series. There isn’t too much information available about these. They are distributed by Cigars International, and perhaps a few other outlets. They don’t appear to be exclusive to CI, as is the 5 Vegas Limitada, but they do have this in common with the Limitada: a very nice but somewhat rough Ecuadorian Sun Grown wrapper. Aside from this, the only information forthcoming from CI is that it employs a “six country blend.” Which countries? Ireland maybe? New Guinea? Luxembourg? Take your pick, because no one’s telling.

The PD Series I is a pretty mild but flavorful smoke. The wrapper is very similar to the 5 Vegas Limitada, which isn’t too surprising since it’s the same type of leaf. (It actually wouldn’t surprise me if this were the same blend as the 2005 Limitada as well. There are more than a few similarities.) It’s not a tremendously attractive wrapper, but the tale is in the tasting, and it tastes pretty good. There’s some sweetness here with just a touch of spice. The draw is good, and the burn is not perfect, but acceptable.

The base flavor is leathery, and there are some overtones of cedar. As time goes by this stick picks up a little more strength, but it’s basically mild and perhaps at its peak a medium in body. The smoke texture is smooth, approaching creamy. Overall this is a very relaxing and easygoing cigar.

The band on the Pueblo Dominicano has a faux watermark pattern reminiscent of the secondary authenticity band on the Padron Anniversary line, complete with a “serial number,” here called a batch number. It’s a funny thing though that the batch number on the torpedoes I bought last April is the same as the same batch number on the double coronas I bought in October. That’s either a very large batch, or it’s a mystery worth pondering before the fire with a glass of cognac and the latest issue of Advertising Age.

With 95% of precincts reporting, we are prepared to announce Pueblo Dominicano a winner in today’s race. But don’t pay the $8.00 retail price for this guy. These can be found for half this or less on Cigarbid. Good luck bidding and God Bless America!

La Aurora’s 1495 line was created to celebrate the founding of the city of Santiago de los Caballeros in the Dominican Republic, and it is the first cigar from La Aurora that has been an instant hit.

Sales Director and master blender Jose Blanco brought together five types of leaf from four different countries to create a complex cigar. “I’m a great believer in blending,” Blanco said in an interview with Cigar Aficionado, “I don’t care how good a cigar is, if it’s good and it’s one-dimensional, it’s just a good boring smoke. I like cigars that are complex and that change a lot.”

Starting with the skin and moving to the core, we have an Ecuadorian Sumatra sun-grown wrapper, underneath which is a Dominican corojo binder. The filler is a blend of Dominican piloto cubano and Nicaraguan and Peruvian ligero leaves. These are all powerful choices, but Blanco believes that the elements that stand out are the wrapper and the Peruvian filler leaf.

The Corona measures 5 1/4 inches with a 43 ring gauge. It seems a little small for a corona, but on the other hand it’s a tad too large to be called a petite corona. The scent of the silky smooth wrapper is earthy with plenty of barnyard. The cap clips easily and the prelight draw is good. It lights up and starts an even and carefree burn. The ash is a dirty gray.

Sun grown Ecuadorian leaf has a leathery, somewhat spicy aroma, and this cigar has it in spades. This little stick introduces itself with lots of black pepper and a lengthy finish. At first I am not terribly impressed with the flavor — it’s not harsh, but with so much pepper it comes off as very sharp. After a few more draws the aroma of the wrapper adds a complementary note that evens things out and calms down the spice.

By the middle of the cigar the complexity becomes more evident. There is a definite transition from the peppery introduction to a more balanced flavor at this point. This balance does not, however, lessen the strength of the smoke pouring from this little feller. The ligero and the piloto cubano keep the flavor strong and the finish long.

With about two inches left I’m quite satisfied with this corona and ready to call it a day. A strong drink is a welcome companion to the Aurora 1495 — an Imperial stout went well for me, though scotch or bourbon would do the trick just as well. While not overpowering, this is definitely an after dinner cigar due to its aggressive flavor and finish. The way the ESG wrapper blends in with the richness of the other tobaccos is really worth the five or six clams you’ll have to shell out for this cigar. It’s a little too heavy on the pepper for my taste, but if you enjoy the Joya de Nicaragua Antano or the Partagas Serie D, you should definitely check this one out.

I’m feeling much better now thanks to the fine folks at Proctor & Gamble (who distill that nectar of the gods called Nyquil.) But I thought I’d get back into the swing of things with something mild, so I bring you La Aurora, the label that started it all for Eduardo Leon.

The original La Aurora cigar was a true perfecto, tapered at both ends, similar to the Preferidos produced by La Aurora today for what I would guess is now about a hundred times the original price. Today’s standard La Aurora cigar is an economical everyday good smoke retailing at around 3 or 4 USD. The Bristol Especiales are what seem to be a non-standard size. They have a 48 ring gauge so they’re a little emaciated for a toro, but with a length of 6 3/8 inches you could also call it a truncated churchill.

This stick isn’t going to win any beauty contests, but its fine construction makes up for any aesthetic flaws. The Cameroon wrapper is dark and dry but is nicely toothed. There are a couple of prominent veins and the wrapper is easily chipped, but that’s typical for Cameroon. It burns smoothly and evenly from the first touch of the torch and it never requires touch-ups. The ash is a uniform gray that needs tapping only occasionally.

The binder and filler are both Dominican, as is only fitting for the DR’s longest lived cigar company. The body of this smoke can only be described as mild. The foundation flavor is woody, but the aroma of the cameroon wrapper adds an elegant spice that pretty much takes over the spotlight. There is a slightly earthy twang that makes an appearance at the half-way point and by smoke’s end gets a tad bitter, but I have to admit this may have been a result of my oversmoking. I tend to hotbox mild cigars because I get a little impatient. The best way for someone like me to smoke a cigar like this is with something else to do while I’m smoking — watching a game on the tube or reading something.

There really isn’t much depth or complexity here, but that’s not unusual for mild cigars so I can’t criticize it too much in that regard. The finish on this cigar is fairly short, and there is only a hint of aftertaste. The woodsy spicy aroma lingers pleasantly on my moustache. That is the point of having a moustache, is it not?

Smokers who favor medium to full bodied cigars will most likely find the traditional La Aurora to be on the boring side, but it’s a quality mild cigar with a fine wrapper that is eminently affordable. It was also a great way to break in my palate after a week on the wagon.

The 2005 5 Vegas Limitada looks very similar to the 2006 version, with bright veins and an otherwise smooth texture. It appears to be a bit darker and not quite as oily as the 2006, and the wrap at the head is finished a little bit better.

It is roughly the same size as the 2006: maybe a quarter of an inch longer but the same ring gauge. The bigger differences lie within: here the binder is Brazilian, instead of “cuban seed” (whatever that means) and the filler is Nicaraguan and Peruvian. Interesting that there is no Dominican leaf in the older 5 Vegas Limitada.

The roll is perfectly solid prior to lighting up, and the scent of the fresh wrapper is rich and earthy. The tip clips off neatly and the prelight draw is spot on, not too tight, not too loose. The unlit taste is earthy with a little sweetness to it.

The construction of this stick is every bit as good as the 2006 version. It holds a long gray ash and needs no maintenance whatsoever. The draw is perfect, the burn is straight, and it produces a wealth of smoke with each puff.

The 2005 Limitada is overall much milder than the 2006 production. It starts out very mild with an earthy base and a pleasantly sweet aroma. The smoke is very smooth and the finish short, almost nonexistent actually. While there’s very little strength at this point, it’s still tasty, but a light taste, like an hors d’oeuvre. To be honest I was a little dissapointed. I was expecting a meal, not a snack!

Luckily the transition that occurs at around the half-way point is the opposite of what I found with the 2006 — instead of bottoming out, the 2005 picks up speed. The earthy flavor takes on a little more character, a little more body, becoming creamier. Then notes of cedar begin to float above the earth and eventually overtake it. And finally, some spicier flavors, a dash of pepper added to the woody element.

The 2005 Belicoso never becomes a truly full bodied cigar, but it certainly develops from its very mild beginning into something close to medium. The transition here was very nice, and I’d be happy to keep a box of these around as a morning pick-me-up or a leisurely afternoon cigar. They would also make an elegant introduction to the world of premiums for the new cigar smoker. Sungrown Ecuadorian Sumatra leaf has a distinctive spice that most smokers appreciate, and all cigar fans should experience. The 5 Vegas Limitada 2005 is an excellent example of this because the relative mildness of the blend lets the wrapper shine through.

Unfortunately, the 2005 line is sold out. If you happen to have a few squirreled away, consider yourself lucky. If, like me, you’ve reduced your last 2005 Limitada to ashes, well… there’s always 2007 to look forward to.

The 5 Vegas Limitada sports a nice looking Ecuadorian Sumatra wrapper with bright but smooth veins. The head of this cigar is a little rough, but it cut cleanly and never carried out on its threats to unravel. (Threats implied only by the wrapper edges that caused me a little concern.) Overall the construction of this stick was very good. After an easy light and a few pulls I noticed smoke tendrils rising from the head of the cigar. That’s always a nice effect, and a result of superior craftsmanship.

The data on this cigar comes from Cigars International, the only distributor of this cigar. The 2006 model is 6.25 inches in length with a 52 ring gauge. The binder is identified as “cuban seed” which is pretty vague. I’m going to hazard a guess that since these are made in the Aurora factory the binder is Dominican. The filler is a blend of Brazilian, Nicaraguan, and Dominican “piloto cubano.”

It starts out with a burst of pepper and a strong finish. Based on this I expected a powerhouse cigar to follow, but in this I was wrong. For the first third, in addition to the pepper and spice, there are some leathery flavors and a pleasant aroma. The ash builds into a solid cylinder that drops after a good two inches. It probably could go longer but I gracefully tapped it into the ashtray.

The 2006 Limitada turns out to be a fairly mild cigar, despite the way it begins. After the two thirds mark it really mellows out and takes on a very easygoing creamy character. But gradually the flavor evaporates. I found this very odd, and suspected it might be my palate taking a peremptory vacation. But on two separate nights I experienced the same thing — at the half way point this cigar just sort of peters out. Not in an unpleasant way exactly — it remains a perfectly acceptable smoke, but the flavors just drop out, as if a sudden wind came up and took away all the flavor.

I found this to be a puzzling cigar. It starts with great promise and for the first half the flavor transitions are interesting and enjoyable. Factor into this the perfect construction, and I’d say this cigar from La Aurora is a real winner, if only it continued its performance into the second half. Like the Cardinals losing to the Bears on Monday night, this cigar is strangely able to snatch defeat from the jaws of victory.