May it be for months, years, or even decades on end, all premium long-filler cigars go through some degree of aging after being rolled. This is common practice, and for the most part, common knowledge amongst most cigar smokers.

What isn't so common, is encountering a cigar that has experienced nearly two decades of aging post-production. A few years here and there sure. Maybe even a dozen years of age for a special limited-release blend. But a fifth of a century? That's pretty extreme. 

So imagine my joy when I discovered that we had somehow gotten our grubby mitts on a few boxes of this year's "Small Batch Series" from La Aurora. This ultra-exclusive annual release features blends that were rolled up decades ago, and then placed in the company's aging rooms down in the Dominican for a long-ass nap.

For this year's release, a fatty toro gordo vitola was offered up in 10-count box form. With just 400 boxes ever produced (that we know of), this Lot 0003 from La Aurora is one of the rarest cigars we've ever scored, and in my humble opinion, one of the best limited releases to date from the Dominican powerhouse.

Not just because it was aged for 19 years prior to release, or due to its exclusivity, but because it burns with the best of them, and blesses the senses with some of the sweetest, smoothest medium-strength retrohales and medium-bodied aftertastes money can buy. 

[Buy 5-Pack]

Unlit Impressions 

A 58 ring-gauge may not seem sizable by today's standards, but this stick sure does seem hefty in the hand. Part of this is due to how firm the barrel feels, which is likely due to the fact that this blend contains a double binder combo from the Dominican and Cameroon. 

La Aurora does not disclose what varietal is utilized for the wrapper on this release, merely mentioning that it is of Ecuadorian descent. Whatever the strain, it looks pretty stellar, with a rich honey color and medium amounts of oil causing the cigar to glisten under the light. Both cigars smoked sported a neatly placed flat cap and came with the odd rough vein here and there, which were highlighted in a light khaki color.

Scents of grass and tart honey, along with oak, cedar, and pound cake produced the most prominent impressions along the wrapper. Foot fetish fiends will flip over what is found down bottom, as cherry cordial, rooibos tea, earl grey, and citrus-studded shortbread show what lies beneath. Truly a cigar that I could smell every single day and never light, and be fully content with keeping my torch at bay... at least for a while.

Cold draws are more doughy and cinnamon-spiced, leaning more toward the light honey frosting you find on certain cakes and doughnuts the more you sample. If there is any spice or heat it's of the mixed baking kind, and very mellow tasting and refined.

Initial Smoke 

Cinnamon strikes first, sitting on the cusp of having black pepper spice intensity, but due to all that doughy goodness going on remains muffled. Cake lovers will get off on this blend even before it gets fully underway, as it seems to present every manner of light batter imaginable in a single serving. Roll cake, shortbread, pound cake, angel food, bundt... pick your calorie-packed preference and it's here. 

1st Half   

Sweet cake notes carrying you forward, the cinnamon starts to mellow into more of a supportive role, and out comes the cedar. Oak tannin tastes emerge as well, and touches of tart buttermilk fortified roll cake tickle the tongue. Body, strength, and cigar flavor profiles are all medium and very milky, with smoke production sitting on the topside of the measuring stick. Definitely a large cigar you will want to punch if an overly fluid draw does not appeal.

Retrohaling is the real star of the show with this cigar though. Not only does it emphasize all of the notes mentioned prior, but it makes the finish far lengthier and lush. No nostril burn or bite to be felt anywhere in the first half either. This cigar has entirely too much age for all that noise, and dammit if it isn't a delight in every way. 

2nd Half 

Remember those notes of cherry cordial I detected within the unlit foot of this blend? Well, it's back. And this time it brought some spicy and cedary friends for a quick frolic. Toasted almonds, oak tannins, and a sticky sweetness that is more honey than raw sugar all stick to the tongue, making the finish feel longer than ever before. 

The tannin oakiness of the cigar stirs the proverbial pot a bit in the second half, and with the spiciness of the tobacco ticking up a few points, along with a mild nicotine buzz, strength starts to surpass medium. Spicy cinnamon flavors and black pepper heat hit shortly after each exhale, and are more retrohale slanted than ever.

Still far below full, the nutty almond notes from the Cameroon half of the double-binder bring balance to the final third and form a distinguished creaminess within this smoky concoction that is a joy to experience. This is similar to what was found in the second third though, so don't expect a transition here, but more of a mellowing and melding of flavors than anything. 

Parting Puffs 

Both times I smoked this cigar, I struggled to find pleasure in parting puffs, at least once the blend surpassed the final fistful of almonds and oak. Medicinal at best, and wet cardboard tasting at its worst, there really was not much to praise in the last inch or so of this blend. 

Ash / Burn / Smoke / Draw

Burn on this cigar, however, proved to be pretty damn ideal... both times. Cool to the touch and producing monumental amounts of equally refreshing smoke from a crisp cone, the draw on this fatty is fantastic. The ash may have shed a flake or two here and there, and at certain moments it felt like the burn line was wandering a bit, but not once did I have to break out my torch for a touch-up. 

Final Thoughts  

Why is it that all of the cigars that I like so damn much end up being the rarest of the rare? Is it my destiny to fall hard for the fleeting moments in life? Or is it just that the tobacco gods are having a laugh at my unfortunate ass? 

Whatever it is, I do feel incredibly blessed to have been given the opportunity to smoke this cigar not once, but twice. It's a first-class flight to the outer limits of cigar aging and maintains a splendiferous cigar flavor profile with matching aromatics from the first exhale to the final retrohale. I'll excuse the frustrating cigar band removal procedures and crappy last inch or two of the cigar time and time again just to experience every moment leading up to that waxed cigar band. 

This truly is what cigar aging is all about, and if you don't mind spending $20 on a stick, then Lot 0003 from La Aurora is one of the best medium-bodied blends you can buy this year.

Flavor, Aroma & Transitions

Depth & Complexity

Construction, Burn & Physical Appeal

Backstory & Branding

Overall Balance & Repeatability

Stogie Specs

Cigar	La Aurora "Small Batch Series Lot 0003"
Wrapper	Ecuador (undisclosed strain)
Binder	(x2) Cameroon & Dominican Republic
Filler	Dominican Republic, Nicaragua & Peru
Factory	Dominican Republic
Size	58" x 5.78 "Toro Gordo"
Strength	Medium
Pairing Drink	Homemade Lemon Ginger Soda
Rating	4.5/5