2019 Cigar of the Year Countdown #9: Aganorsa Leaf Signature Maduro Robusto

“While the flavor notes of mocha, pepper, and earth might seem common for a maduro cigar, there was something intangible about these flavors that really clicked with the Aganorsa Leaf Signature Maduro Robusto.”

Wrapper: Shade Grown Corojo ’99 Maduro (Jalapa)
Binder: Nicaraguan
Filler: Nicaraguan (including Medio Tiempo)
Country of Origin: Nicaragua
Factory: Tabacos Valle de Jalapa (TABSA)
Robusto: 5 x 52
Price: $10.50
Review: Aganorsa Leaf Signature Maduro Robusto (10/7/19)
Appearances on Countdown (By Year/Brand): 7 (2013, 2014, 2015, 2016, 2017, 2018, 2019)

Coming in at #9 is the Aganorsa Leaf Signature Maduro Robusto. Simply put, this was a very different cigar than Aganorsa Leaf had ever put out before. While Aganorsa Leaf is known for using its signature Criollo ’98 and Corojo ’99 tobaccos grown on its Aganorsa farms, the company has historically sourced the tobacco for its maduro wrappers from the San Andres region of Mexico. In 2019, Aganorsa Leaf announced three Maduro releases that would use a proprietary Shade Grown Corojo Maduro Leaf. It marked the first time Aganorsa Leaf would use one of its own farm-grown releases for one of its maduros. One of those releases was the Aganorsa Leaf Signature Maduro.

The Aganorsa Leaf Signature Maduro is a 100% Nicaraguan puro featuring tobaccos from the Aganorsa farms. The wrapper was selected from higher primings of Corojo ’99 Cuban seed grown on the Aganorsa Leaf farms in Jalapa, Nicaragua under shade. The leaf was then naturally cured for a long period of time to produce a maduro wrapper. The filler also includes some high priming media tiempo. Production is handled at Aganorsa’s Tabacos Valle de Jalapa (TABSA) in Estelí, Nicaragua. The Robusto measures 5 x 52.

For Aganorsa Leaf, it’s a record-setting seventh consecutive year on the Countdown. The cigar gives TABSA a second cigar on this year’s Countdown.

The Aganorsa Leaf Signature Maduro Robusto delivers notes of mocha (a fusion of coffee and chocolate), white and black pepper, earth, and cedar. This is a bold cigar starting medium to full in strength and body before progressing to full strength, full-bodied in the second half.

Perhaps the most interesting thing about the Aganorsa Leaf Signature Maduro Robusto is how the flavors all play together. There is a great synergy, and it gives this cigar some nice intangible qualities. It’s a cigar truly worthy of giving Aganorsa Leaf a top ten slot on the Countdown.