Cigar Review: La Antiguedad Robusto
My Father Cigars has been on a Vegas style heater for the past few years. From La Duena to El Centurion and, of course, the 2012 cigar of the year Flor de las Antillas, the company creates fantastic regular production cigars at stellar prices. If these previous examples are any indication La Antiguedad, the company’s latest release, is sure to be another success. Crafted with select Nicaraguan binder and filler tobaccos and finished with an Ecuadorian Habano wrapper, La Antiguedad is designed to highlight the Garcia’s Cuban heritage and respect for tradition.
Pre-Light: My initial impression of La Antiguedad concerns the striking similarities the cigar has with its cousin, Flor de las Antillas. Both cigars are box pressed with vividly detailed bands, each deserving considerable attention, and the signature foot band. Bands and shape aside, the cigar’s Ecuadorian Habano wrapper is a very similar shade to Flor de las Antillas’ Nicaraguan Sun Grown wrapper. With pre-light notes of nutty tobacco with a hint of spice, the similarities of La Antiguedad to Flor de las Antillas extend beyond the aforementioned visual cues. It will be interesting to see just how La Antiguedad compares to its highly rated predecessor when it’s smoked.
1/3: The first inhale of smoke from La Antiguedad gives my palate a mix of flavors both familiar and new. Where Flor de las Antillas begins smooth and gradually grows in strength and flavor, La Antiguedad packs a powerful punch of flavor from the get go. The notes of the first third are predominately driven by black pepper and a lingering almond note that provides an exceptional contrast in the cigar. The retrohale of the first third is a robust note of pepper, which is a signature in many My Father blends.
2/3: By the time the burn arrives at the second third of La Antiguedad, the cigar’s spice note has become subdued, accompanied by a smooth nutty finish. The retrohale, which was driven by spice in the first third, sees the rise of subtle flavors including cocoa and cream in the second third.
3/3: La Antiguedad’s final third consists of the same notes found in the second third with the addition of an earthy note. By the end of La Antiguedad, it is clear that the cigar draws a certain amount of inspiration from its older counterpart, Flor de las Antillas. If I had to sum up La Antiguedad in a few words, I would describe it as a fuller bodied version of Flor de las Antillas. The second portion of the cigar is by far my favorite, as I feel that it has an excellent balance of Flor de las Antillasesque elements to contrast with the dynamic spice profile of the cigar’s first third. La Antiguedad should easily be considered by cigar enthusiasts who enjoyed Flor de las Antillas, but wished it has just a little more body. La Antiguedad is available online in three sizes at emersonscigars.com as well as your favorite Hampton Roads Emerson’s Cigars location.
