Today, let’s dive into the La Aurora 120 Anniversary Limited Edition. La Aurora is the oldest factory in the Dominican Republic. It is something that the Léon family has taken pride in for many years. Over the past 20 years, La Aurora has celebrated several factory anniversaries, with 2023 marking the significant milestone of the factory’s 120th anniversary. A new regular production line appropriately titled the La Aurora 120 Anniversary was released for the occasion. In addition, La Aurora released a special limited edition size in the form of the company’s Preferidos #1  – the La Aurora 120 Anniversary Limited Edition.

The Preferidos #1 size is a double figurado measuring 6 x 58. The size also goes back 120 years and, for all practical purposes, has become the La Aurora factory and brand’s signature size. These feature the cigars in colored tubes. The La Aurora 120 Anniversary Limited Edition cigars are packaged in a unit that resembles (and feels like) a Preferidos mold. The unit opens up via hinges.

As mentioned, the La Aurora 120 Anniversary line is the latest anniversary release. Here is a list of the factory anniversaries that La Aurora has commemorated with a cigar release over the past twenty years:

• 100 Years: La Aurora Cien Años (*)
• 107 Years: La Aurora 107 (*)
• 110 Years: La Aurora Cameroon and Corojo 110th Anniversary
• 111 Years:  La Aurora Puro Vintage 2006 Edición Limitada 111 Aniversario
• 115 Years: La Aurora 115 Anniversary
• 120 Years: La Aurora 120 Anniversary

* Multiple Blends released under the brand

Without further ado, let’s turn our attention back to the La Aurora 120 Anniversary Limited Edition and see what this cigar brings to the table.

La Aurora 120 Anniversary Limited Edition – Cigar Review

SPECIFICATIONS

Blend and Origin

Given that the La Aurora 120 Anniversary pays homage to the oldest factory in the Dominican Republic, it is appropriate that the cigar is a Dominican puro. A Habano ’92 leaf is used for the wrapper.

Wrapper: Dominican Republic (Habano ’92)
Binder: Dominican Republic (Olor – Cibao region)
Filler: Dominican Republic (Piloto Cubano, Olor, Corojo)
Country of Origin: La Aurora S.A.

Vitolas Available

In addition to the Limited Edition, there are four regular La Aurora 120 Anniversary production sizes. The regular production sizes come in 20-count boxes, while the Limited Edition comes in complementary ten-count boxes containing the individually housed Preferidos tubes. A total of 2,500 Limited Edition boxes were produced.

Limited Edition (Preferidos #1): 6 x 58
Robusto: 5 x 50
Toro: 5 1/2 x 54
Gran Toro: 6 x 58
Churchill: 7 x 47

Appearance

The Dominican Habano wrapper of the 120 Anniversary Limited Edition had a medium to dark wood color. This wrapper had a slightly rugged look to it. The surface of the wrapper was bumpy, and there wasn’t much oil on it. There were some visible veins and prominent wrapper seams that were visible  The cigar had a pointed tip at the head and a small open footer.

PERFORMANCE

Pre-Light Draw

I used a straight cut to cut a little more than half of the tip of the 120 Anniversary Limited Edition. Once I removed the tip, I moved on to the pre-light draw. The cold draw delivered a mix of cedar, floral, and a slight fruit note. For me, this wasn’t the most exciting pre-light draw. Since the pre-light draw is not factored into the overall score or value rating, there was no loss of points here. At this point, it was time to toast up the footer of the 120 Anniversary Limited Edition and see what the smoking phase would deliver.

Tasting Notes

At the start of the 120 Anniversary Limited Edition, cedar, fruit, earth, and hay notes were delivered. Some chocolate notes also emerged as the cigar burned through the early stages. The fruit and earth notes moved into the forefront, with the cedar and hay settling into the background. Toward the latter part of the first third, some natural tobacco notes emerged with the fruit and earth notes. At the same time, some black pepper notes surfaced in the background. The retro-hale produced a combination of cedar and black pepper.

As the 120 Anniversary Limited Edition moved through the second third, the natural tobacco, fruit, and earth notes alternated in intensity. Concurrently, the pepper and cedar notes increased in intensity. The chocolate and hay notes diminished in intensity and dissipated by the second third. Later, in the second third, the earth notes emerged as the sole primary note, with the fruit and natural tobacco settling in the background.

The cedar and pepper notes moved into the forefront in the final third, joining the earth. While the fruit and natural tobacco remained in the background, they did not contribute enough to round off the flavor profile. As the 120 Anniversary Limited Edition ended, the resulting nub was soft to the touch and cool in temperature.

Burn

On each of the 120 Anniversary samples, the burn started out nicely but slowly became more high-maintenance to keep the burn path and burn line straight. This resulted in frequent touch-ups, and the amount needed was more than I preferred. The resulting ash was firmer in the early stages and looser in the latter stages. The ash had several shades of gray color to it. As for the burn rate and burn temperature, both maintained ideal levels.

Draw

The draw of the 120 Anniversary Limited Edition performed excellently. This draw was ideal in my book because it had a touch of resistance. There was also ample smoke production from the 120 Anniversary.

Strength and Body

The 120 Anniversary Limited Edition started out with medium strength and medium-bodied flavors. Both the strength and body’s intensity increased during the smoking experience. By the last third, the flavors were medium to full in body. Throughout the smoking experience, the body maintained an edge over its strength.

BANDING AND PACKAGING NOTES

While banding and packaging are not scored, everything about the La Aurora 120 Anniversary Limited Edition shines. The tube that houses the cigars is heavy—probably one of the heaviest “tubes” I have ever seen.

The special ten-count boxes for the 120 Anniversary Limited Edition have a beautiful piano finish.

 

 

Finally, the La Aurora 120 Anniversary Limited Edition has the same primary bands but is denoted by a special secondary.

OVERALL ASSESSMENT

Final Thoughts

The 120 Anniversary Edition performed nicely in the first two-thirds. The final third was disappointing as I found the flavors somewhat uninspiring. Ultimately, the one thing that worked against this cigar was the $40.00 price point. This is nearly double that of the core line. I realize the Preferido is a special size, and that there is some really nice packaging, but in the end, it comes down to the cigar experience. The cigar still mustered a respectable 88 points, but at $40.00, that isn’t enough for me to give it the green light for a recommendation.

The Smoking Syndicate Roundtable (Robusto)

On Roundtable #14, the Cigar Coop Coalition smoked the Robusto size of the La Aurora 120 Anniversary.

Summary

Key Flavors: Earth, Fruit, Natural Tobacco, Chocolate, Hay, Cedar, Pepper
Burn: Good
Draw: Excellent
Complexity: Medium to High
Strength: Medium
Body: Medium (1st 2/3), Medium to Full (Final Third)
Finish:  Good

Rating

Value: Not Recommended
Score: 88

References

News: La Aurora 120th Anniversary Limited Edition Details Announced
Price: $40.00
Source: Purchased
Brand Reference: La Aurora

Photo Credit: Cigar Coop