Aganorsa Leaf Signature Selection Belicoso (6 1/4 x 52)

Video review HERE.

(Description taken from Cigar-Coop.com website)

At the 2018 IPCPR Trade Show, Aganorsa Leaf unveiled its Aganorsa Leaf Signature Selection. It’s a project worked on by Aganorsa Leaf Owner Eduardo Fernandez and his son Max. Aganorsa Leaf is the formerly named Casa Fernandez.

The Aganorsa Leaf Signature Selection is a Nicaraguan puro utilizing the company’s signature Aganorsa farm tobaccos. The wrapper utilizes a Jalapa grown Rosado Claro Corojo ’99 wrapper. The binder and filler consist of Aganorsa grown Corojo ’99 and Criollo ’98 tobaccos from Jalapa and Estelí. The filler also utilizes a half a leaf of the rare high priming Medio Tiempo the Aganorsa farms are known for.

In a press release, Eduardo Fernandez, owner and founder of Aganorsa Leaf, commented: “Signature Selection is blended with our best refined aged tobaccos selected from our most exclusive lots in our farms in Nicaragua. It’s a cigar that we have thoroughly enjoyed in our Nicaraguan blending room amongst family and friends.  We are very excited to now share it with tobacco enthusiasts in the marketplace.”

Max Fernandez added, “Aganorsa Leaf is traditional in its essence; it’s a company that my father created to grow premium Nicaraguan leaf in the best tradition of taste, flavor and aroma of the Cuban cigars of old. This cigar is our greatest expression of that dream. I feel like we’ve made something unique that people will truly appreciate.”

Terence Reilly, VP of Sales and Marketing, commented, “Signature Selection allows the cigar smoker to experience the entire spectrum and flavor of Aganorsa leaf.  Sweetness from our Corojo ’99 Jalapa farms as well as body and spice from our Criollo ’98 tobaccos from Estelí combine perfectly together to create an experience unlike any other. Signature Selection is a true representation that our leaf is our Strength. We are excited to see the reactions of our consumers and retail partners when they light this incredible blend.”

As for the cigar, it will be a limited production release, available in four sizes presented in 25-count boxes. The sizes include a Robusto (5 x 52), Toro (6 x 52), Belicoso (6 1/4 x 52), and a Corona Gorda (6 x 44). The Belicoso will feature a Cuban style 109 cap while the Corona Gorda will have a butterfly cap. Aganorsa Leaf says production for 2018 is limited to 500 boxes per size. Pricing is set at $9.00 to $12.00.

The cigar is well made with a rather simple white and black band with a gold foil sheet running from the bottom band to the foot.  The gold foil sheet is closed at the foot. The cigar has a nice feel in the hand.

The test draw after cutting the belicoso cap was very good. The initial flavors at light up were spiced apple, caramel, nutmeg, brown sugar, cinnamon, and black coffee. There was a nice amount of black pepper which I rated at an 8. This is a great start. Plenty of sweet flavors with ample amounts of a semi-dry but creamy nutmeg and a nice black coffee base.

At the first third (33 minutes) the cigar already has a great burn time. The spiced apple is slowly transferring over to a spiced cedar. You still have the nice cinnamon, brown sugar, and caramel as your sweet flavors along with the elevated amounts of nutmeg and black coffee. This cigar has the typical elevated nutmeg flavor but it also has plenty of sweeter notes to counteract those. The black coffee base rounds out the cigar. The cigar is medium to full bodied at this point. The finish is one of brown sugar and nutmeg with a modest amount of lingering black pepper. As you know if you follow my reviews I love nutmeg if it's balanced with ample sweetness and darker notes. This cigar has that. This cigar is very much in my wheelhouse. I rated the first third a 94.

At the second third (1 hour 32 minutes) the cigar is burning slowly and pretty evenly. What a nice burn time for the 2/3 point. The cigar is still very sweet with plenty of nutmeg and black coffee notes. The cigar is now full bodied. The finish is now more of a caramel with nutmeg. The lingering black pepper has increased. The pepper is very good on both the front end and the finish. This cigar is very enjoyable. For the second third I maintained the score of 94.

The cigar lasted a whopping 2 hours 7 minutes! That's a fantastic burn time. Not much has changed in the cigar. It's still very sweet with tons of nutmeg and black coffee. The flavor notes are still the same; sweet cedar, brown sugar, cinnamon, caramel, nutmeg, and black coffee. The cigar is still very full bodied and the finish is unchanged. This has been a very good cigar from start to finish. If your tasted happen to align with mine you will love this cigar. But in any event go by the description of the flavors to determine if you want to give these a try. As for me, I loved this cigar and it's definitely of a box purchase consideration. For the final third I maintained the score of 94. You can purchase these amazing cigars HERE.

Overall Score: 94