Ozgener Family Cigars Aramas A55

Crowned Heads Cigars has a vast portfolio, comprised of favorites like Yellow Rose, Juarez, Mil Dias, and a host of others. Several years ago they teamed up with Tim Ozgener and added Ozgener Family Cigars to the line up. One of my favorite blends from this is the Aramas San Andres Maduro. Released in 2023, the Ozgener Family Cigars Aramas is offered in four sizes: Aramas A52 (5 x 52), Aramas A54 (6 1/4 x 54 torpedo), Aramas A55 (5 1/2 x 55), and Aramas A60 (6 x 60). The cigar combines flavor, strength, and smoothness all wrapped into one. While it has a powerful and very flavorful start, smooths out as it burns. I feel like there are several things this cigar accomplishes: story, heritage, craftsmanship, and darn-good tastiness.

According to the owner and blender, Tim Ozgener, he says, “Aramas is an homage to my father, Cano Ozgener, his penchant for hard work, and his value for the relationships he cultivated in his lifetime. We worked with Ernesto (Perez-Carrillo) on Aramas to develop a dense, complex, and rich blend, that also retained impeccable balance.” Whenever you combine EPC and someone like Ozgener, a winner is sure to be the result. The name Aramas comes from the volcano on Mount Ararat lining the borders of Turkey, Azerbaijan, Iran and Armenia. For those who don;t know, Cano was the founder of CAO cigars before they sold to General.

The blend is a dynamic one, using an almost black San Andres Maduro wrapper. Underneath is a Sumatra binder from Ecuador and a bevy of different fillers from Nicaragua, Dominican Republic, and Connecticut Broadleaf. A twist of pepper and sweetness greet you at light up, with earthy tones moving to leather, dark chocolate, oak, saltiness, and minimal sweetness. I would put the strength at medium plus, and the body at the same. I appreciate the a55 size, it gives you that intense flavor Robustos can, but also a little longer of a smoke. Pair this with a rum or a sherry cask finish scotch and I think you will be happy. If there is a word that comes to mind with this cigar is maturity. If find the flavor heavy and full while maintaining a mature smoothness and balance. A very refined experience.