La Aurora 107 Nicaragua Toro

La Aurora holds the distinction of being the oldest cigar brand produced in the Dominican Republic. Grown in the same fields of the Cibao Valley for more than three generations, it is the best selling brand within the country, and has been almost since its release back in the early 1900s. Making use of the same growing fields throughout its history has been one of the keys to the brand’s legendary consistency.

Released in 2010, the 107 Nicaragua is part of the 107 Tobaccos of the World collection in which they feature the finest tobaccos from around the globe. A true Nicaraguan puro, this smoke is noticeably darker than previous 107 smokes featuring a sun-grown Habano wrapper leaf, binder, and fillers all from Nicaragua. Beautifully layered, this medium to full bodied smoke starts with spicy notes with hints of leather and chocolate that opens up to nuts, licorice, and earth. With near flawless construction, we accompanied this puro with Ron Izalco 15 Year Rum, although most well aged rums will work!

Though tobacco is indigenous to Hispaniola, the tobacco industry in the Dominican Republic existed in the shadow of Cuba’s dominance through the 1960s. When the exodus of Cuban cigar makers began in the wake of the revolution, many decided the Dominican Republic would be ideal for the resumption of their livelihoods. Unrest in Nicaragua in the 1980s fueled the Dominican cigar industry further. The country now makes more than half of the premium cigars imported into the U.S.

The Cibao Valley and the nearby city of Santiago are the center of cigar production in the Dominican Republic. Three main varieties are grown here: the mild and native Olor Dominicano; the intense Piloto Cubano, brought from the Vuelta Abajo of Cuba; and San Vicente, a milder and more acidic Piloto hybrid. Dominican puros were once unheard of as it was widely thought impossible to grow quality wrapper leaf on the island, but new growing techniques are now allowing some exceptional puros to be produced.