Cigar reviews
Aganorsa Leaf Elixir OGT Exclusive
Dec
Aganorsa Leaf is one of the biggest growers of tobacco in the industry. Perhaps best known for Corojo 99 and Criollo 98 tobacco, they have a signature flavor best described as their tagline: ‘Our leaf is our strength.’ From farm to seed, the leaf they use is not only flavorful but wrapped in tradition and excellent craftsmanship. It has also become one of my go to tobaccos when it comes to pairing with coffee. As Fabien Ziegler, Sales manager of Aganorsa Leaf, describes it, “Corojo 99 tobacco hits your palate vertically. It touches on the center of your palate, causes salivation, and you taste sweetness, saltiness, with a gush of flavor.”
A cigar that expresses this very well is the exclusive we dropped for the membership this year, the Aganorsa Leaf Elixir. I worked with Terence Reilly on this project, wanting to offer a Corojo experience in the medium plus range. Something that would be strong but also deep in flavor, and of course, well balanced. The spice on the retrohale would need to be prominent but not overwhelming, while also offering a rich Aganorsa flavor. I think we hit it perfectly.
The Aganorsa Elixir is a 6×48 ‘slim’ toro. It’s wrapper is very textured, something I have come to look for in a ciger. It sports darker Corojo 99 wrapper over a Corojo 99 and Criollo 98 double binder, and fillers from Jalapa, Estelli, and Condega. In terms of tasting notes, this cigar is a whirlwind of flavor with intense transitions. At light up, there is a definite spice and sweetness at play. Rustic cedar and toasted Cheerios follow. As the cigar continues, I notice a sharp citrus, nuttiness, caramel, and lingering baking spice. The toasty element, along with mesquite and sweetness, follow through the cigar. This new release is something I have been hoping to offer for over a year, and finally, the day is here. I am in love with this blend, and I suspect many will call it a favorite; we call it Aganorsa Elixir.
For the last time, Aganorsa Leaf Elixir is available in its final batch. Don’t miss this. Once it’s gone, it isn’t replicated. This cigar has nearly two years of age on it and it is smoking brilliantly.
