La Hoja Cigar Co. – La Hoja Edicion Clasica 1962

Barely sneaking in at the end of 2014, La Hoja Cigar Co. released the Edicion Clasica 1962, along with the Edicion Maduro 1962, which I reviewed a few weeks back (You find the review HERE). Both the Edicion Clasica and Maduro are produced in the Dominican Republic at Tamboril DBL S.A.. Like the maduro version, the Clasica Edicion 1962 is available in four frontmarks and carries a premium price tag between $11 and $13.50. Available vitolas include: No. 1 (5 ¼ by 52 Robusto), No. 2 (5 ¼ by 54 Belicoso), No. 9 (5 ¾ by 56 Toro), and No. 6 (6 by 60 Gordo).

Prior to the release of the cigar in December, halfwheel reported on the La Hoja Edicion Clasica 1962:

The La Hoja Edición Clasica 1962 is actually the rebranded version of the Hoja de Flores Autentico Maduro, which the company said was one of its better selling lines and choose to keep the cigar with new packaging. It uses an Ecuadorian corojo wrapper, Dominican binder and Dominican piloto cubano and Nicaraguan fillers.

The Facts

Samples Provided by La Hoja Cigar Co.
Price: $13
Vitola: No. 9 (Toro)
Size: 5 ¾ by 56
Wrapper: Ecuadorian Corojo
Filler: Dominican
Filler: Dominican (Piloto Cubano & San Victor) and Nicaraguan
Smoke Time: 1 Hour and 35 Minutes
Drink: Water

Pre-light

The Edicion Clasica 1962 sports a medium to dark brown wrapper with a deep rust-like color. Marked with dark waterspots and veins running the length of the cigar, the Edicion Clasica wrapper leaf is coated in oils that can be easily seen and felt. Big notes of cedar, wet earth, and pepper are found on the wrapper aroma, while the foot aroma is very refreshing with notes of fresh cut spearmint, cinnamon, rich cedar, and pepper.

A shallow cut through the triple-cap opens up a decent draw that presents flavors almost identical to the flavors noted on the cold draw of the Edicion Maduro 1962 with big notes cinnamon, apple cider, and clove.

First Third

From the first puff, my palate is met with full, rich flavors of cedar, coffee, pepper, and an unidentifiable sweetness. The coffee lingers on the finish of the smoke before it transitions to a Dubble Bubble gum-like flavor. While the flavors are full, the smoke feels thin in the mouth. At the one inch mark, the sweetness has subsided, the darker flavors of coffee and pepper are now dominating the profile. A thick, wavy burn line is leaving behind a white ash, with large pieces of pure black, burnt wrapper leaf that did  not fully burn.

Middle Third

A quick touch-up with my Zippo Z-Plus! gets the burn back in-line in preparation for the second third of the La Hoja Edicion Clasica 1962. The profile has found a great rhythm with some minor variances in flavors, but some more drastic changes in the balance of those flavors. The cedar has come back, some earthy, dirt-like notes have arrived, and the coffee has developed with some added richness and sweetness. I am glad to see the return of the sweetness as it rounds out and compliments the darker flavors. The thick corojo wrapper leaf continues to burn wildly.

Final Third

Diesel and dirt-like flavors are at the front of the profile as I burn my way into the final. The same flavors linger on the finish for a good length of time. A sharp pepper is highlighted as I pass the smoke through my sinuses. Closing out the cigar, toasted notes join in with an inch and a half remaining, with marshmallow sweetness and some dusty cocoa. Not to disappoint, an additional touch-up was required in the last third.

Wrap-up

Unlike the Edicion Maduro 1962, the Edicion Clasica 1962 samples were consistent in both flavors and performance. While the price is a bit high for my liking (yes, I can be cheap), the dark, rich flavors fit my palate and were well balanced. However, the performance was not to par for a $13 cigar. Multiple relights and touch-ups were required over the hour and half of smoking. After smoking my first sample, I decided to leave the second sample outside of the humidor for several hours to alleviate the burn and combustion issues. As noted above, the second sample smoked very similar to the first. Being no tobacco expert, I am not sure what helps or hinders the burn. With the La Hoja Edicion Clasica 1962 showing a lot of potential in the flavor department, I hope some rest on these cigars will improve the performance.