#21: Merlion by La Sirena

Coming in for the #21 Cigar on the 2012 Cigar of the Year Countdown is the Merlion by La Sirena Cigars.  La Sirena is a brand by Miami Cigar and Company.  Last year, their debut blend La Sirena finished as our #2 Cigar of the Year.

The Merlion not only marks the second consecutive year that La Sirena has placed a cigar on the countdown, but it also is the second cigar by Miami Cigar and Company on the 2012 countdown.  While the original La Sirena is rolled at the My Father Cigars’ family in Nicaragua, the Merlion is rolled at the La Aurora factory in the Dominican Republic.  La Aurora is a company that is distributed by Miami Cigar and Company.  The name Merlion reflects the close relationship between Miami Cigars and La Aurora.  As the press release for the Merlion said: “The name Merlion comes from a mythical creature that is half lion and half mermaid, the perfect fit for La Sirena and La Aurora.”

Not only is the Merlion made at a different factory, it is a completely different blend with a different flavor profile from the original La Sirena.  The flavor profile consists of black pepper, wood, natural tobacco sweetness, floral, oak, and grapefruit sweetness.  It is perhaps thE grapefruit flavor that is the differentiator for the Merlion.  While this cigar was not postioned to be the full strength, full-bodied powerhouse of the core La Sirena line, this cigar holds its own.  Both the strength and body start out medium, but by the end of the cigar each progress to full.

The construction is outstanding and this is reflected in the burn and draw of the Merlion.

Click here to read out assessment of the Merlion by La Sirena.

Blend Profile

Wrapper: Ecuadorian Corojo
Binder:  Brazilian Sumatra
Filler: Brazillian Bahia, Dominican Corojo, Dominican Criollo ’98, and Nicaraguan Ligero

Vitolas Available

The Merlion which comes 20 in a box and is available in 3 sizes:

Robusto: 5 x 50
Toro: 5 1/2 x 54
Gran Toro: 6 x 58

Recommended Vitola: Toro