Astral Favorito

Astral cigars are handmade in the cigar making Mecca of Danli, Honduras. This highly recognized brand has long been known for its mild-to-medium body and dependably high quality production. Typically the Astral cigars feature an Ecuadorian-grown Connecticut shade wrapper that gives an elegant appearance and smooth espresso and cream flavors. However, the Favorito featured this month is draped in a slightly sweet, thick Cameroon wrapper. Go ahead, take a moment to admire its dark color and oily sheen, aged to the point that if you look at it in the right light, you'll notice small crystals that have settled out of the oils. The blend is comprised of Dominican and Honduran tobaccos, providing a mild-to-medium-bodied flavor with a sharper edge provided by the stronger Honduran tobaccos. Smoke volume is ample, providing aromatic woody notes in the burn, delivered through an easygoing draw. Note the sweet earthy notes that follow cedar aromas in the opening, all brought to a close with a slightly spicy, gently sweet woody finish. Astral enjoys consistently high marks from Cigar Aficionado and Smoke Magazine; enjoy this well-made stogie. Nicely complemented by chilled chardonnay.