Agile Cigar Reviews replace what we termed “Assessment Updates”. The concept is the same, but the name is different. Agile Cigar Reviews use a lightweight, shorter format. These will never take the place of our comprehensive reviews. They are only used on blends we have previously assessed. This might be a blend we are re-scoring or providing a score for a first time. It might be a blend we are looking at in a different size. Today we look at the La Aroma de Cuba Noblesse 2014 edition. For this cigar we assessed the 2014 version back in October, 2014.
Wrapper: Ecuadorian Habano Rosado
Binder: Nicaraguan (Criollo and Habano – Double Binder)
Filler: Nicaraguan (Esteli, Jalapa and Namanji)
Country of Origin: Nicaragua (My Father Cigars SA)
Toro: 6 1/2 x 52
In 2014, Ashton Cigars released the La Aroma de Cuba Noblesse. The Noblesse became the fifth blend in the La Aroma de Cuba brand. It also became the first limited edition cigar for La Aroma de Cuba. While La Aroma de Cuba had a reputation for value-priced cigars, the Noblesse offered a more premium offering in the brand. It was originally released in one size – 6 1/2 x 50 Toro. For 2015, Ashton has announced another limited run will be done of the Noblesse, but this time it will be in two sizes. Today we take another look at the La Aroma de Cuba Noblesse 2014 Edition. It is worth noting that for the 2015 the Toro size is being renamed the La Aroma de Cuba Noblesse Coronation.
A total of 3,000 24-count boxes were produced for the 2014 run of the La Aroma de Cuba Noblesse.
The Noblesse consists of an Ecuadorian Habano Rosado wrapper and a double binder consisting of both Nicaraguan Criollo and Nicaraguan Habano. The filler is all Nicaraguan including tobaccos from Esteli, Jalapa, and a region called Namanji (located Northeast of Esteli). As with all La Aroma de Cuba and San Cristobal brands from Ashton, the Noblesse is made at the My Father Cigars factory in Esteli, Nicaragua.
The Noblesse started out with notes of cocoa, natural tobacco, and black pepper. The pepper played more of a secondary role on the tongue, but was more prominent on the retro-hale. But the second third, I found the natural tobacco took over from the cocoa as it moved into the background. The pepper notes did increase later in the second third. By the final third, the pepper moved into the forefront and the cigar now had a more earthy profile.
One thing I didn’t really pick up this time around were the cinnamon and grassy notes – which I had picked up when I originally smoked.
Body-wise, I found that the notes seemed a little fuller this time around. I assessed the Noblesse as being a full-bodied cigar (as opposed to medium to full-bodied last time). The strength level remained medium to full.
Overall I still found the La Aroma de Cuba Noblesse to be an excellent cigar. It had a touch less complexity, but the flavors that were still there were bolder and more robust. This is a nice cigar and if you can find some of the 2014 cigars around, they are worth getting – easily worth a box split.
Summary
Burn: Excellent
Draw: Excellent
Complexity: Medium
Strength: Medium to Full
Body: Full
Finish: Excellent
Assessment: 3.5 – Box Split
Score: 91
References
Original Assessment: La Aroma de Cuba Noblesse by Ashton Cigars
News: La Aroma de Cuba Noblesse by Ashton Cigars
Price: $16.00
Source: Purchased
Stogie Geeks Podcast: Episode 112
Stogie Feed: La Aroma de Cuba Noblesse by Ashton Cigars
Just prior to the 2014 IPCPR Trade Show, Ashton Cigars announced a addition to its La Aroma de Cuba line called the La Aroma de Cuba Noblesse. The Noblesse is the fifth blend under the La Aroma de Cuba brand it is also the first limited edition cigar under that brand. It is also intended to be offer a more premium offering to what has traditionally been a more value-priced offering to this particular Ashton brand. The La Aroma de Cuba Noblesse is available in one size – a 6 1/2 x 50 Toro. A total of 3,000 24 count boxes have been produced.
