Video review HERE.
Arandoza Cigars debuted Defcon at the 2015 IPCPR in New Orleans, LA. Wrapped with a dark Connecticut broadleaf wrapper, Defcon features a bold Nicaraguan binder and filler tobaccos. This full-bodied full-flavored cigar is the first time Arandoza Cigars has introduced a broadleaf cigar into their arsenal.
The Arandoza Defcon comes in three vitolas.
Toro (6 x 50) (REVIEWED TODAY)
Super Toro (6-1/2 x 54)
Super Robusto (5-1/2 x 60)
The Arandoza Defcon is produced at Erik Espinosa’s La Zona factory in Esteli, Nicaragua. They will be offered in boxes of 10 and prices range is $ 9.80 - $11.00 per cigar.
Wrapper: Connecticut broadleaf
Binder: Nicaraguan
Filler: Nicaraguan
The cigar is very dark as you would expect from a Connecticut broadleaf. It has a dense, dry look to the wrapper. Here is a shot of the foot.
The test draw after cutting the cap was very good. The initial flavors were very quick to develop; sweet orange citrus, cream, leather, and black coffee. the orange citrus and cream remind me of a creamsicle. The black pepper is rated at an 8. You get those flavors almost immediately.
Around one inch in the burn is a little uneven. The cream has more of a taste of dry cocoa now which combines nicely with the tangy, sweet orange citrus. The leather is very prominent and the black coffee is the base. The black pepper lingers nicely on the finish which is one of a toasted cream and it is very thick. The cigar is medium to full bodied or even full bodied at this early stage.
Approaching the midpoint the burn has very much improved. The flavors are about like I previously described but they are all more intense. At times the sweet citrus flavor is so tangy and high pitched you get a taste of green apple added. The cigar is definitely full bodied. The black pepper is also elevated. The lingering black pepper on the finish is very much elevated.
Just past the midpoint there is now brown sugar which has replaced the dry cocoa. The leather notes are mellowed out and are not oppressive. The addition of the brown sugar adds some nice sweetness to the cigar.
The pepper continued to improve. There were flashes of dry cedar in the final third. The leather and coffee combined to make a nice base. They were even in intensity. Again, the black pepper was great in this cigar. I enjoyed it from start to finish. It is very full bodied for an Arandoza cigar. You should look for these at your local shop and if you don't see them ask for them. They are very good cigars.
Score: 93
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