La Aroma de Cuba Noblesse Coronation (2024) by Ashton Cigars | Cigar Review
Today, we review the La Aroma de Cuba Noblesse in the Coronation (Toro) size from Ashton Cigars. The version we are assessing today is the Noblesse version, first released in 2024. Back in 2014, Ashton Cigars (the parent company of the La Aroma de Cuba brand) decided to release a more premium, more limited line under its La Aroma de Cuba brand. The result was the La Aroma de Cuba Noblesse. Ashton released the Noblesse in limited batches.
About a decade after it was first released, Ashton decided to revamp both the blend and the packaging of the Noblesse. The big change would be the wrapper, which was shifted from Ecuadorian Habano to a darker San Andres Maduro. The packaging changes were not radical. The big change was that the packaging’s main color shifted from baby blue to lavender. The packaging change was consistent with what Ashton was doing with La Aroma de Cuba as a whole – mainly emphasizing different colors on the different lines.
Without further ado, let’s break down the 2024 edition of the Noblesse Coronation and see what this cigar brings to the table.
SPECIFICATIONS
Blend and Origin
In addition to the San Andrés wrapper, the remainder of the Noblesse blend consists entirely of Nicaraguan tobaccos. Ashton has not disclosed how much the rest of the Noblesse blend has changed from the original. As with all La Aroma de Cuba cigars, the Noblesse is produced by the Garcia family at the My Father Cigars factory in Estelí, Nicaragua.
- Wrapper: San Andrés Mexican
- Binder: Nicaraguan
- Filler: Nicaraguan
- Country of Origin: Nicaragua
- Factory: My Father Cigars S.A.
Vitolas Offered
Noblesse is offered in four sizes, each presented in 24-count boxes. Noblesse is French for royalty. All of the vitola names have a royal theme.
- Regency: 5 1/2 x 50
- Coronation: 6 x 52
- Viceroy: 6 1/8 x 52 (Belicoso)
- Monarchy: 6 1/2 x 56
Appearance
The San Andres wrapper of the Noblesse Coronation had a medium-to-dark roast color. On the surface of the wrapper, there was a slight amount of oil, a slight amount of mottling, and some slight toothiness. There were also some very thin veins visible on the surface. Any visible wrapper seams were quite minimal. The Coronation had a box-press to it. This was a square press with a very slight curve, giving it a Cuban press look.
PERFORMANCE
Pre-Light Draw
A straight cut was used to remove the cap of the Noblesse Coronation. Once the cap was removed, it was time to commence with the pre-light draw. Overall, this was probably one of the better pre-light draws I’ve had on any cigar. The cold draw delivered a combination of coffee, licorice, and cream. This was simply an excellent pre-light draw. At this point, it was time to toast up the footer of the Noblesse Coronation and head into the smoking phase.
Tasting Notes
The Noblesse Coronation opened up with an assortment of flavors, including coffee, cream, licorice, earth, and cedar. Early on, the coffee and cream notes moved to the forefront. The licorice, earth, and cedar notes settled in the background. During the first third, the licorice notes did pop into the forefront from time to time. Later in the first third, white pepper emerged in the background. The retro-hale delivered a cross of cedar and some white pepper.
The second third of the Noblesse Coronation saw the coffee take over as the sole primary note. These coffee notes began to take on some bitter qualities. The cream and licorice notes both diminished, and by the start of the second half of the cigar, both notes were gone. The earth, cedar, and pepper notes were still present. As the cigar moved through the second half, there was an increase in cedar and pepper.
The final third still saw the coffee notes in the forefront. Meanwhile, the pepper and cedar notes closed in but didn’t quite reach primary-note status. In addition, there were still some residual earth notes. This is the way the Noblesse Coronation came to a close. The resulting nub was firm to the touch and cool in temperature.
Burn
Overall, the burn of the Noblesse Coronation performed flawlessly. The cigar had a straight burn path and a straight burn line. At the same time, this cigar did not require frequent touchups to keep the burn straight.n The resulting ash was skewed toward the firmer side. Meanwhile, the burn rate and burn temperature maintained ideal levels.
Draw
The draw of the Noblesse Coronation was a bit of an enigma for me. There were two samples smoked. The first open had a little too much resistance. While normally I like a little resistance, this went slightly over the threshold.
The second sample had an open draw. This wasn’t a loose draw, but normally I like to work a draw a little more. In the end, these draws didn’t cause any adverse effects; they just weren’t ideal in my book.
Strength and Body
The Noblesse Coronation started with medium-strength, medium-bodied flavors. There was a slight increase in intensity for both attributes along the way, but in the end, the Noblesse Coronation remained in the medium range for strength and body. Both strength and body balanced each other nicely along the way, with neither attribute overshadowing the other.
BANDING AND PACKAGING NOTES (*)
Ashton has done a really nice job in using colors to help each of the La Aroma de Cuba blends stand out. In the case of the Noblesse, lavender is used to differentiate the colors. I do like the details Ashton has used with the woman in the band. In each La Aroma de Cuba blend, there are subtle color differences in the dress and flowers that adorn the woman. I’m just not sure I’m in love with the lavender color on the Noblesse.
OVERALL ASSESSMENT
Final Thoughts
The Noblesse Coronation is your classic “tale of two cigars.” The first half of this cigar was excellent. It was well-balanced and flavorful. However, once the cigar passed the midway point, it became a different story. The cigar became very unbalanced, and the flavors became dull. There wasn’t a point where the cigar got harsh, but at the same time, a $19.50 cigar should not become “dull.” In the end, I’m not sure I would return to this size of the Noblesse, but I’d be willing to try the Regency (Robusto) or Viceroy (Belicoso). My recommendation is, if you can try one first before buying it; that would be the way to go.
Summary
Key Flavors: Coffee, Cream, Licorice, Cedar, Pepper
Burn: Excellent
Draw: Very Good
Complexity: Medium
Strength: Medium
Body: Medium
Finish: Excellent
Rating
Value: Try a Sample
Score: 89
REFERENCES
News: La Aroma de Cuba Noblesse Gets New Look and New Blend
Price: $19.50
Source: Purchased
Brand Reference: La Aroma de Cuba