Tasting Note

La Aurora S.A. is the oldest cigarmaker in the Dominican Republic, having rolled cigars there since 1903. The new Aurora 1495 BME Dominicana, which sports a Dominican wrapper, is earthy, with orange peel and cedar flavors on the palate along with nutty and peppery notes and a semisweet chocolate finish. The initials "BME" refer to the cigar being a brick-and-mortar exclusive—in other words, La Aurora says it won't sell it on the Internet or via catalogues, only through traditional cigar shops. The "brick-and-mortar" move is one that's gaining some steam in the industry, especially with such smaller cigar companies as La Aurora, which continues to release delicious smokes like this one.