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 Aurora Preferidos 1903 Edition Diamond. This is a cigar we previously assessed back in June, 2013.

La_Aurora_Preferidos_1903_Edition_Diamond_No.2

Wrapper: Connecticut Broadleaf
Binder: Dominican Maduro
Filler: Dominican
Country of Origin: Dominican Republic (La Aurora SA)
No. 2: 5 x 54 (Perfecto)

At the 2012 IPCPR Trade Show, La Aurora Cigars added a new blend into its La Aurora Preferidos 1903 Edition series. This cigar would incorporate a Connecticut Broadleaf wrapper into the series and be dubbed the La Aurora Preferidos 1903 Edition Diamond. The cigar would be released in the popular No. 2 format – 5 x 54 perfecto. Like the other installments of the series, it would be packaged in a perfecto shaped tube – this one being black in color. While there have been other sizes released in the Diamond blend, the No. 2 size is not a regional or shop exclusive. For this assessment, this cigar has been in the Cigar Coop humidor for about 10 months.

La_Aurora_Preferidos_1903_Edition_Diamond_No.2_Tubo

The La Aurora Preferidos 1903 Edition Diamond No. 2 is going to deliver notes of mocha, natural maduro sweetness, and white pepper. The mocha note is what I call a compound note and takes on several different forms. This note will changes between a gritty espresso note, a mix of coffee and chocolate, or a smooth coffee note. I didn’t quite get the thicker espresso syrupy notes that I remembered when I first smoked this cigar, but the flavors delivered more than satisfied. Toward the second half there is some citrus that kicks in. The retro-hale starts out more as a cedar spice and transforms to black pepper.

The blend to the Diamond is one of the strongest ones in the La Aurora portfolio. While 10 months in the humidor mellowed the blend a bit, it still carries plenty of power. The Diamond started out medium to full for both strength and body. By the second half the strength is at a full level and by the last third the body catches up and moves into full territory.

Overall, this is the best blend in the Preferidos line and I think it shines in the No. 2 format. A definite belle of the ball – and a definite box worthy cigar.

Summary

Burn: Excellent
Draw: Excellent
Complexity: Medium
Strength: Medium to Full (1st Half), Full (2nd Half)
Body: Medium to Full (1st 2/3), Full (Last Third)
Finish: Excellent
Assessment: 4.0-Box Worthy
Score: 92

References

Original Assessment: La Aurora Preferidos 1903 Edition Diamond
News: La Aurora Preferidos Diamond
Price: $19.99
Source: Purchased
Stogie Geeks Podcast: Episode 32Episode 180
Stogie Feed: La Aurora Preferidos Diamond (Paul), La Aurora Preferidos 1903 Edition Diamond No. 2 (Will)