La Aroma de Cuba Monarch cigar review

10/30/2023

This may be first times smoking one of these.  I've enjoyed a few Don Pepin Garcia smokes and admire his ability to make some great full flavored cigars.  This one is all Nicaraguan with  an oily Connecticut broadleaf wrapper. 

I've had this one aging like a year so it is primed for smoking.  Can be had for like $7 when you buy a box.  

It's pretty windy here in Georgia on this night before Halloween.  Cold front moving in, but about 60 out now.  Wind calming, pretty good smoking weather.  

Lots of flavor at first.  Has a lot going on: spice, sweetness, fruit, dried fruit, and some cedar.  To me it is intriguing, strong, and great, but not my favorite flavors so far.  But I love a complex smoke so I like it so far. If it can develop those earthy Nicaraguan flavors, it may be a winner. 

Burning damn good and smooth.  It is mellowing out a bit.  Not so much dried fruit but more deeper wood and cedar taste.  Still has a slight linger of fruit that is slightly sour but is evened out with a very slight sweetness. 

It definitely goes well with the Denizen Merchants Reserve rum (or rhum, I don't really know the difference).  

I like a spicy cigar and this one has it but it is faint now.  You don't want a too spicy cigar.  You want one like this.  It is spicy at times.  

It draws well and has lots of smoke.  I'd say it is medium so far. About 25 min in.  Brings out the sweetness of the rum or the other way around.  Still has that spicy aftertaste that makes it a little more flavorful than your regular medium smoke.  

Awesomely constructed cigar.  What did I hope for? Yep, it definitely has that earthy Nicaraguan flavor and it is layered in some sweet and fruity flavors.  Has a slight bite to it with its fruitiness.  That's my only negative, but that's just my personal taste. 

Overall a great smoke all around so far.  45 min in and it is very complex and satisfying.  Hope it kicks in some more profile and strength.  Still pretty medium bodied. 

So far it's worth the price. It's worth it just to experience all the different flavors.  

An hour in and it is gaining more flavors.  I think it bringing back same complex flavors from when I first lite it.  It never really strengthened in body like I hoped, but it has been really good.  

It's not a top 5 or favorite, but a damn good smoke that I'll buy again.  

Yep it's worth smoking to the nub.  Still pretty smooth to the finish with tons of good flavors.  

Over an hour of great complex flavors.  What's not to like?

Overall: 90

Flavor 90, complexity 94, burn 89, experience 90, value 89.