2022 Cigar of the Year Countdown (Coop’s List): #15: Aganorsa Leaf Aniversario Corojo Robusto

“In terms of the offerings in the Aganorsa Leaf portfolio, the Aniversario Corojo blend has delivered some of the company’s best offerings.”

Wrapper: Aganorsa Corojo ’99
Binder: Aganorsa, Nicaragua
Filler: Aganorsa, Nicaragua
Country of Origin: Nicaragua
Factory: Agricola Ganadera Norteña S.A.
Robusto: 5 x 54 (Box Pressed)
Price: $12.99

Sponsor: Yes
Samples Provided for Initial Review: Yes
Review: Aganorsa Leaf Aniversario Corojo Robusto (9/3/22)
Appearances on Countdown (By Year/Company): 9 (2013, 2014, 2015, 2016, 2017, 2018, 2019, 2021, 2022)

Coming in at #15 is the Aganorsa Leaf Aniversario Corojo Robusto. The Aganorsa Leaf Aniversario series has its roots back in 2013. At the time, the company was known as Casa Fernandez, and it released a limited edition Corojo wrapped cigar to celebrate its 35th anniversary known as the Casa Fernandez Aniversario Series Boheme No. 35. Some follow-up vitolas were released, as well as a Maduro counterpart. Along the way, three Casa Fernandez Aniversario offerings have landed on a Cigar Coop Countdown. Late in 2021, the line was rebranded to the Aganorsa Leaf Aniversario. At the same time, a 5 x 54 Box Pressed Robusto offering was added with the Corojo Robusto becoming the fourth of the Aniversario series to place on the Countdown.

The blend of the Aganorsa Leaf Aniversario Corojo remains the same as when this was first released under the Casa Fernandez name. It’s not only a 100% Nicaraguan puro, but it features all tobaccos that are grown on the Aganorsa farms.

Flavor-wise, the Aganorsa Leaf Aniversario Corojo Robusto delivered notes of natural tobacco, citrus, earth, cedar, graham cracker, and black pepper. It’s a cigar that started out medium in strength and body, but does kick up to medium to full for both attributes in the second half. It’s a cigar that has enough complexity to hold one’s interest from start to finish.

Aganorsa Leaf has been one of the most successful companies in the history of the Countdown. This is the ninth year Aganorsa Leaf has placed on the Countdown – and the company has done this over a ten-year span. Once again, Nicaragua scores another spot on the 2022 Countdown, and of the five countries to land on this year’s Countdown, 11 have come from Nicaragua.