Pretty much the only cigars you can get in the DR right now that aren't those bargain basement eplindidos those nice guys on the beach are selling belong to the Leon Jimenes line and its more economicaly priced sibling La Aurora. While La Aurora may be getting a lot of press for the popular (and my god EXPENSIVE) preferidos and the 100 anos series, I've found that my situation non withstanding the regular line is in my opinion is very good and well priced. My most extended experience so far has been with the Robusto, of which I bought a box of natural and a box of maduro. Both are very similar in character with the maduro obviously a little sharper and spicier but not by a whole lot, the maduro I also found to burn a lot more unevenly most of the time which I was disapointed with. Anyways I just wanted to share these smokes with you guys, they are medium bodied with strong coffee and cocoa notes and the occasional nutty notes... if anyone else has tried them let me know what you thought.

The regular line of the La Aurora's with the Cameroon wrapper is a favorite of mine, as is the La Aurora Pueblo Dominicana SunGrown belicoso. I find the regular La Auroras to be a rather tasty smoke with a good even burn with a good cameroon flavor. The Pueblo Dominicana's have a very nice medium taste to them and I love that SunGrown wrapper. Pretty much everything that comes out of the La Aurora factories is a good smoke. I haven't had a bad burn or hard draw out of anything from there.

Mike

I won a box of the La Aurora Robustos from
the Cigarwire in January - smoked one then and it was ok for a natural robusto...they've been resting in the Coolerdor since...almost 9 mos.
on them...perhaps it's time to revisit them.

I smoked a La Aurora robusto this afternoon. Not overly complicated, but smooth. Nice dark coffee and cocoa notes. The construction was so-so, but no problems with the wrapper tearing. The constructio nwas right-on, and the burn was razor sharp.

These will be good with some time in the humi. I look forward to re-visiting one in a year or so.

My first cigar ever was a La Aurora Petit Corona...29 years ago.

I've always loved the brand, and despite the blessing of being able to buy many fine cigars in recent years, I always have some #4's and Belicoso maduros in the humidor to enjoy occasionally.

I also have a box each of the 100 años Robustos and Coronas, the 1495 Coronas, and the Sapphire, Ruby and Gold Preferidos. Hopefully soon a box of Emeralds as well.

Love La Aurora, if you couldn't already tell.

Damn dawg, you must be one rich ass mofo. Damn.

quote:

Originally posted by UltraMan:
Damn dawg, you must be one rich ass mofo. Damn.

Not at all. Just depends on where you put your priorities.

I don't go out drinking or chasing tail, (don't need to) don't spend money on s*** I don't need; when I drink, I drink good booze, at home with friends or at their house.

Likewise, when I smoke, I smoke well; and since I've been smoking cigars for almost 30 years, over time I've worked hard to acquire some very nice sticks.

I keep a nice, well-stocked humidor because smoking fine cigars is one of the rare, great old-world pleasures that a gentleman can still enjoy in the way that it was meant to be.

I'm blessed with a decent income, but surely nothing that probably more than half the guys right here don't exceed. I just try to live right, so that I can afford the good things that are important to me.

Needless to say, fine cigars are important to me.

right on lenguamor.
I'm personally in love with the La Aurora Preferidos.The Emeralds are the best to date as far as i'm concerned. Except mabey one Preferido i have had in my humador for a year now that has a hybrid wrapper, both from the ruby and sapphire.(that one may sit in the humador untill i can't see it for all the plume )
I have to say that i am not perticualy fond of the 1945, i just don't like it.
The leon on the other hand i find to be one of the best values on the cigar market. I prefer them to the similar Ashton classic and they are HALF THE PRICE! Defanatly my go to smoke when i'm looking for something on the lighter side.

FYI: I just wanted to clarify that Leon Jimenes is NOT a La Aurora. They are both made by miami cigar co. but are not realted. Leon's blend has been in existance since 1913 and has always been a DR cigar. Miami cigar bought the blend and factory during the boom. Miami cigar co. also makes the don lino line including the Africa.

Woodenindian,I regret to inform you that la Aurora belongs to leon family and they have never sold,Miami Cigars is the distributor for the cigar,now your right on the Emerald.

quote:

Originally posted by iberiaman:
Woodenindian,I regret to inform you that la Aurora belongs to leon family and they have never sold,Miami Cigars is the distributor for the cigar,now your right on the Emerald.

Can't wait for my emeralds!

Woodenindian, I love La Aurora, as you can tell. Even their seconds are nice.

Of the regular line I do like the beli maduros best, although there'll always be a place in my heart for the little corona cameroon.

My next LA purchase will be more of the platinums - I've been out of those for almost a year now. Sweet smoke.

I'm very impressed with the Robusto Nat. I bought a 5 pack and had them mixed in my humi with some El Rey Del Mundo Choix (C). I was half way through smoking what I thought was a Choix (and enjoying every minute) when I looked at it and realized it was a La Aurora Robusto (a $2.50 stick!). I immediately purchased a couple boxes for my stock. I would rate it on value as one of the best mild cigars I've smoked.