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Unlit Impressions

But before getting into all of the juicy details, we must confront the ugly hippo in the room, and that is the wrapper that makes this blend what it is. Cameroon leaf is notorious for being one of the more frumpy-looking lighter-colored tobacco leaves, and apparently, transplanting it to Honduras has not helped all that much. Thickly veined, dry under the thumb, and lumpy in places, the visual appeal of the cigar is not all that impressive when compared to, say, the shiny star that is the La Aurora 1903 Cameroon.

Looks aren't everything, though, and aromas down that earthy, acorn-colored Honduran wrapper remind us of this fact. Shots of vanilla and milk, hay, honey, and raw tree nuts jive to the beat of leather-skinned drums. The foot forages into aromas of dried craisins, caramelized sugars, cinnamon-encrusted graham crackers, and a generous allotment of bright tobacco leaf. No spiciness or peppercorn to be detected anywhere, just clean and enticing aromatics.

Cold draws are a carbon copy of the foot, finished with a drizzle of that honey from the wrapper, and I find little reason to fault with the squeeze test bouncing back. I can tell the draw is going to be tremendous. What is not so impressive is the banding on the cigar, which, like much of the Aladino line, is very traditional and not all that memorable.

Initial Smoke

Not a bit spicy, strong, sharp, or strange in any way, light-up lifts the senses with a light, toasty cigar flavor profile that is almost identical to unlit cold pulls and aromatics. There is a pinch more nutmeg and cinnamon to be detected, but it is overcome by nuttiness and toasted bread.

1st Half

Sometimes the first third is where all the flavor is in a cigar, and you can determine what the next hour or two will entail. This blend is one of those sticks, and while I do love a surprise, there is so much to enjoy in the first half hour of this blend that I really don't mind whatsoever. 

While the grassy, slightly funky notes are nothing all that exciting for me and my palate, the tastes of almond milk, vanilla, creamy cashews, and toasted bread do excite. Medium bodied, the smoke wafting around is rich, creamy, and completely retrohale-worthy in its entirety thanks to there being zero spiciness detected. A mixture of sweet and dry makes the finish a fun little fixture that keeps you coming back for more. 

2nd Half

Cedar expanding to all corners of the cigar smoking experience, the second half changes things up a bit by nudging flavors and aromas into more of an outdoorsy profile. All of the cinnamon graham cracker crunch and creamy almond milk notes benefit from this resinous addition, and loading you up with even more depth without any of the body or intensity. 

Floral wildflower honey and hints of fermented hay hand over an extra bundle of outdoor farm flavor, as the chewy smoke's retrohale heaps on the heavy whipping cream smoothness. White chocolate and a conservative pinch of white pepper improve the complexity of the final third, while a tannin-heavy aftertaste takes medium flavors in a very grounded direction. 

Parting Puffs

Sweet and round, the rolling clouds of smoke encircling the senses start to show that this smoke is worthy of burning all the way down until your fingerprints are singed off. Cedar, white chocolate, toasted oak hardwood tastes, and the tannins that they embody all build in balance and character, with zero sign of pepper spice, char, or strength to be seen. Outstanding. 

Ash / Burn / Smoke / Draw

A single touch-up in the midst of the final third was the only miscue I had with my review cigar. And even then, it did not affect flavor or performance. Creamy as can be and burning cooler than most, the fluid draw and impressive ash on this blend earn it an almost flawless construction score. 

Final Thoughts 

Another year of age has turned the Aladino Limited Edition Cameroon into precisely what I wanted: A creamy, medium-bodied milk bomb, with hints of honey, cedar, nuts, and a breadiness that is somewhere between a slice of French white bread toast and cinnamon and sugar encrusted graham crackers.

Yes, it isn't the most exciting-looking cigar, and it does look and feel a little lumpy and frumpy, what with its veins, lack of oiliness, misshapen cap, and tired banding, but that's not what makes a cigar smoking session so special. 

There really isn't much that I can dislike about this cigar now that its sharpness has died back. It's a creamy cocktail of all the right ingredients that continuously gives all of the right aromatics, retrohales, and medium-grade cigar flavor profiles that Cameroon enthusiasts crush on. The only difficult thing is getting hold of this rarity, as Klaro may be one of the only retailers with some sticks in stock.

Stogie Specs