Aliados Regordo (6x60) $16.99 each
This cigar is the epitome of medium strength and body, hitting the sweet spot for me. While I marked it as a plus on strength, mainly due to its nicotine content, I believe those with a higher tolerance could enjoy it at any time of the day. The burn was nearly flawless, requiring no touch-ups. It's challenging to find any faults with this cigar. I wished the draw had loosened up a bit sooner, but after the initial third, it opened up perfectly. Overall, it's an excellent cigar that could easily become a daily favorite.
As I prepare to light up, I observe the milk chocolate/caramel-colored wrapper with prominent seams, yet it feels well-packed. The draw starts a tad snug but produces copious smoke. The initial puffs hit me with notes of salted roasted peanuts and a hint of red pepper, coating my palate. The retrohale adds a pleasant touch of pepper and a woody essence. Moving from the first to the second third, a subtle meaty note emerges, reminiscent of beef jerky.
Entering the second third, the beef jerky note intensifies, accompanied by an escalation of pepper on the retrohale, combining black, white, and crushed red pepper. Despite these bold flavors, the cigar maintains an impressive smoothness. The draw begins to ease up, heading toward the sweet spot in terms of resistance. The second third concludes with a faint, delightful sweetness. The retrohale continues to shine, showcasing a beautiful interplay of various peppers. While the sweetness fades quickly, the roasted, salted peanut makes a strong comeback, with the beef jerky taking a backseat.
Heading into the final third, not much changes in terms of flavor. The sweetness diminishes, and the roasted, salted peanut takes center stage once again as the beef jerky lingers in the background. Fortunately, this cigar stuck to the notes I adore, creating a consistent and savory smoking experience from start to finish. If I had to sum it up in one word, it would undoubtedly be SAVORY!