Casa Fernandez was busy at this past year’s trade show with several new releases and line extensions being showcased. And with the endless number of cigars coming out from every other company, most of their releases fell off of my radar rather quickly. Now with things settling down and a new year underway, I plan on making my way through 2016 releases that I may have overlooked and one of those is the Sabor Aganorsa by Casa Fernandez. Casa Fernandez cigars have been well received here at Casas Fumando and, with Tony being a huge fanboy and all, it is rare to beat Tony to the punch when it comes to reviewing their cigars!

Named after the small factory that manufactures the cigar, Sabor Aganorsa S.A. (SABSA) in Nicaragua, the Sabor Aganorsa line has two wrapper options: Mexican San Andres Maduro and Nicaraguan Corojo. Five sizes are currently in the market: 5 ⅝ by 46, 5 by 50, 5 by 52, 7 by 48, and 5 ½ by 60. All ranging in price from $7 to $8.

THE FACTS

Price: $7.00
Vitola: Corona Gorda
Size: 5 ⅝ by 46
Wrapper: Mexican San Andres Maduro
Binder: Nicaraguan
Filler: Nicaraguan
Smoke Time: 1 Hour and 50 Minutes

PRE-LIGHT

The Sabor Aganorsa is dressed in a medium to dark brown leaf that is consistent in color. The dark leaf does a good job hiding a couple medium-sized veins and bumps. The cigar gives just slightly as I pinch the cigar between my fingers. Halfway down, there is an odd indentation that can be felt as I examine the stick for any soft spots.

The aroma from the wrapper is musty with a wet earth and vinegar. The foot of the Sabor Aganorsa shows off some graham cracker, chocolate, and a natural tobacco sweetness. A nice little spice sting is felt in the sinuses. A shallow cut through the triple cap opens up a very good draw. The dry draw flavors are rich with some woodsy notes and potpourri spice.

FIRST THIRD

The cigar opens up with full, heavy flavors of coffee, earth, chocolate, black cherry and pepper. While the flavors are dark, there is a good amount of sweetness tied to the black cherry that is softening the profile. An unsweetened bubble gum flavor lingers on the finish of the smoke. The spice is tickling the back of my throat and is sharp through the sinuses as I retro-hale. The burn is mostly even with a layered, salt and pepper colored ash being formed.

MIDDLE THIRD

The black cherry flavor is front and center of the profile, followed by black coffee and pepper. There is a toasted bread flavor gaining ground,along with a rich cedar flavor. A very satisfying amount of smoke is produced with each small draw. The smoke is thick in the mouth as the flavors continue along in the full range, but I am feeling no nicotine kick from the cigar up to this point.

FINAL THIRD

An earthiness is right in-line with the black cherry as I transition into the final third of the Sabor Aganorsa. . The toasted bread from earlier has evolved to more of a charred meat flavor and coffee lingers on the finish now. The pepper has calmed on the retro-hale, but still pretty intense. After an hour and 30 minutes, some of the strength this cigar offers is finally pulling through.

WRAP-UP

The Sabor Aganorsa Maduro Corona Gorda smoked for the written portion of the review hit on all cylinders with its dark, heavy earthy flavors that were paired up with a black cherry sweetness and hefty amount of spice. From smoke production to burn, there was not a single issue with performance. However, the cigar smoked for pictures had a stiff draw from the start severely impacting the profile as char and toasted flavors overshadowed the other more enjoyable flavors. The draw never opened up and I was left disappointed and unsatisfied. If the Sabor Aganorsa consistently smokes as it did in the first sample, this cigar is a no-brainer with its $7 price tag. But until I can smoke a couple more, the verdict is still out.