Para Japòn by La Aurora
I won two Para Japòn cigars via a giveaway held at Tom Ufer’s website. This cigar was created by La Aurora in response to the recent devastation in Japan. I don’t know the details, but it is said that some proceeds will go to relief efforts.
For a little while, it was quite fashionable to be concerned with Japan, but I see that the honeymoon is over. Unlike so many fickle band wagoners out there, I think the Para Japòn cigar is made with good intentions. At minimum, this cigar deserves a try and a review. So without further ado, here are my thoughts.
Wrapper: Nicaraguan
Binder: Dominican
Filler: Cameroon, Brazilian, Dominican
Size: Sumo Robusto 5 x 50
Price: $10.00
Pre-Smoke & Construction:
The wrapper looked bumpy with a few good sized veins and toothy appearance. There was also a velvety smoothness to it as well. The wrapper had a dark earthy smell. The foot had that same smell but not quite as strong. The cigar was well packed with a tight spot or two. The draw was a little snug but within my tolerances. The pre-light draw had a sweet earthy flavor.
The ash held for an inch, and the burn required no corrections.
Flavor:
The first third kicked off with simple woody flavors. Up next was earthiness When passing smoke through the nose, I picked up a spice that wasn’t quite pepper, but it wasn’t sweet either. Simple but good.
The second third took on more of a richer flavor profile. I wouldn’t call it complex, but it just felt more satisfying. Through the nose, the spice increased in strength and took on a peppery feel. The dry cedar in the first third developed into a richer woodiness. The earthy flavors took a step back in strength but they did stand out from time to time. As I progressed along I could have sworn I picked up something sweet, but I am not certain. Yea lame on my part, but hey, I’m not an expert.
The last third: The woody flavors remained dominant but it developed even more. There was something subtle mixed in that I found hard to pinpoint. It was almost floral and fruity. What challenged me was how subtle it was. When retrohaling, the pepper was more of a spice that boarded on being sweet.
Conclusion:
This was a very nice medium bodied cigar. I liked the subtle nuances that left me stumped at times. I know the price is a bit high for a robusto. I assume this is because it is aimed towards getting more revenue for donation to relief efforts. I am curious what percentage of sales will be donated. If anyone knows, I’ll update this post. Price aside, this is worth a try.
Tags: Japan
