Aladino Corojo Elegante 2021 (XNYRW6)

[saltbox]

I still smoke quite a few non-Cubans but generally don't bother posting reviews of them here as they feel somewhat off topic, but this one seemed maybe worth it. Aladino is one of the brands owned by the Eiroa family and from what I remember about what I read, they grow the same Corojo plant that was abandoned by Cuba long ago out of fear of blue mold. Their Honduran Corojo is the only non-Cuban tobacco that I think has the slightest chance of being mistaken for Cuban tobacco, but is great in its own way.

I've had cigars from a few of their brands (Aladino, CLE, Eiroa) but I've been sitting on a couple of their lanceros for a while. I have noticed that most of their other vitolas seem to lose steam in the flavor department in the last inch or so.

First third: opens with sweet cream and graham cracker cinnamon. There's a bit of white and black pepper spice on the retrohale but it's not too harsh.

Middle third: not much change at all, that sweet cream and cinnamon graham cracker flavor profile keeps chugging along. It reminds me of some of the best buttery pie crust I've had.

Last third: not much more to say, it's been quite consistent through to the end. Most notably, where other vitolas seem to suddenly become nothing but hot air in the last inch, this lancero keeps delivering rich and full flavor until the nub.

Overall: Aladino/Eiroa may have unseated Tatuaje as my favorite family of brands. Their Honduran tobacco, especially their corojo, provides a base to their flavor profiles that resembles Partagas creaminess to me. I haven't picked up a NC box in a while, but I'll probably pick up a box of these and see how they age. 90/100

[Sir Diggamus]

Very nice review! I have seen these in shops and never grabbed one, but now I will. I also like Tatuaje a lot, so if this brand is in the same league for you it is definitely worth a try.


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[Spaceman Spiff]

I just posted yesterday in the daily smoke thread about how Aladino has been making some great cigars lately, so I was happy to read this review! 
 

I recently picked up 2 boxes of the Corojo Elegantes as well, in addition to 2 boxes of the Aladino Habano Elegante Vintage Selection (planning to age 1 of each box). I have a feeling these are going to age quite nicely!

OP, if you haven't already - check out the Aladino Habano Vintage Selection, if you like the Corojo blend then I'm pretty confident you'll be a fan of the Habano as well!

[Juliano88]

Big fan of the Eiroa family. Still growing authentic Corojo seed tobacco. Love the newer vintage selection as well. 

[saltbox]

1 hour ago, Spaceman Spiff said:

I just posted yesterday in the daily smoke thread about how Aladino has been making some great cigars lately, so I was happy to read this review! 
 

I recently picked up 2 boxes of the Corojo Elegantes as well, in addition to 2 boxes of the Aladino Habano Elegante Vintage Selection (planning to age 1 of each box). I have a feeling these are going to age quite nicely!

OP, if you haven't already - check out the Aladino Habano Vintage Selection, if you like the Corojo blend then I'm pretty confident you'll be a fan of the Habano as well!

I've had one of the robusto and enjoyed it quite a bit too.

If you've tried the Corojo Reserva (not the Corojo), I'm curious what you think. From what I recall I actually got some major RASS vibes off of it, with some tart plum notes, which I was surprised by. I'll have to try out an elegante from that line as well given how impressive the corojo elegante was over the other vitolas for me.

 

EDIT: oops, Corojo Reserva has no lancero, but I just got in today some of the No. 4 coronas. Will have to hunt down some Habano Vintage lanceros though.

[Spaceman Spiff]

20 hours ago, philipl said:

I've had one of the robusto and enjoyed it quite a bit too.

If you've tried the Corojo Reserva (not the Corojo), I'm curious what you think. From what I recall I actually got some major RASS vibes off of it, with some tart plum notes, which I was surprised by. I'll have to try out an elegante from that line as well given how impressive the corojo elegante was over the other vitolas for me.

 

EDIT: oops, Corojo Reserva has no lancero, but I just got in today some of the No. 4 coronas. Will have to hunt down some Habano Vintage lanceros though.

Yes I have had the Corojo Reserva before but it was a year or two ago and I remember I loved them as well! I can't say that I specifically remember RASS similarities but I do recall them being extremely complex. It would make sense though because RASS is probably my favorite Cuban Robusto!

Fortunately I just picked up a couple boxes of the Corojo Reserva Toro so I will be revisiting soon. 😁

[bishop532]

I’m a fan of Aladino, they are definitely right up there with illusione and Aganorsa as my favorite NC brands. The elegantes and palmas are the best sizes, IMO. I’d totally agree they have a very Cuban feel to them. Nice review.

[cigcars]

         *Thank you, Philipl. I'd been curious about Aladino cigars and now that I've read your review I will definitely make it a point to acquire and try some out. Honduran tobacco was my good ol' standby tobacco, but after sampling a steady diet of Cubans they began to taste like dirt to me. I will give these Aladino's a try for myself and see how they are!  

[saltbox]

It's totally up to your personal palate! I should say that I have previously observed that the creaminess of Aladino is slightly sour and a touch dirty when compared to the clean creaminess of Cubans, so you might still think it tastes like dirt depending on how sensitive you are to that note. The bigger vitolas can also get a bit of a strong mineral note to them, which I think is common to Honduran tobacco in general, but this lancero didn't have any of that.

[Huckleberry]

I love their Corojo blend but too me they have a much spicier profile than most if not all cc’s.  That being said, I’d gladly smoke any Aladino corona at any time, incredibly well done.