La Aurora has been a staple in the cigar industry for over 100 years. The factory itself is the oldest in the Dominican Republic, which is why it is not surprising for La Aurora to release a blend utilizing rare, well aged tobaccos cultivated years ago. This happens to be the case with La Aurora 1495 Cameroon 1994. The brand gets its name from its Cameroon wrapper, which was grown in 1994 in Central Africa. These wrappers are the same that La Aurora used in their production 14 years ago. Because the larger leaves were reserved for larger vitolas, the smaller leaves were put away in the aging room.

Jose Blanco and Guillermo Leon spent years developing a blend to use with this beautiful Cameroon leaf. They rested after combining it with the popular filler and binder blend from the 1495 Series. There was only enough wrapper to roll 18,000 cigars for a one time release. These special cigars are nearly sold out so get them while you can!

Q: What does the cigar term "mounted head" refer to?

A: The term "mounted head" refers to the method in which the cap is placed on the head of a cigar. This method was developed in Cuba and is a basic characteristic of almost all authentic Cuban cigars. A cap is added to the head of each cigar for construction purposes, as it keeps the wrapper leaf from unraveling. Today, most cigars only utilize a single cap, which is distinguished by a single seam wrapping around the head of a cigar. In Cuba, however, torcedors added an element of authenticity to their sticks by creating the illusion of a "mounted head," or as it is more commonly referred as, a "triple cap."

When examining most Cuban cigars, there will be three seams wrapping around the head of the cigar, instead of only one single seam. This is accomplished by adding a vuelta, which is an extension to the tip of the wrapper. When applied, in addition to the original cap, the vuelta adds an two extra layers of leaf to the tip of the cigar, creating three total seams that wrap around the head. This feature not only gave Cuban cigars a unique characteristic that aids in their separation from other brands, but also allowed for better quality and construction. Today, more and more cigar manufacturers try to implement a "mounted head" into their cigars, but it takes a top-notch roller with many years of experience to properly pull off such a tremendous feat! Some of the most popular brands using this unique style are Camacho Corojo, Padilla 1932 and 5 Vegas Miami.

When discussing ultra-premium cigars, Graycliff tends to be one of the first brands that come to mind. This is no surprise since Avelino Lara (the former personal roller to Fidel Castro and creator of the Cuban Cohiba) is the director of Graycliff's expert rolling team. In the year 1666, construction workers first broke ground at the site of what is now the Graycliff Resort. A church was originally built that year, but is now the foundation of the award winning Graycliff restaurant. Graycliff 1666 was developed in honor of this occasion and may be the best Graycliff created to date. Graycliff has created a medium to full-bodied blend that is just as rich and complex as the brand's incredible history. The blend consists of a mixture of exotic fillers hailing from Peru, Brazil, Mexico, and Columbia. Those tobaccos are then wrapped with a rich, oily Jaltepec maduro wrapper that produces a thick and creamy smoke. This cigar expells earthy flavors with some subtle notes of cocoa and coffee while still offering a slightly spicy aftertaste that leaves a touch of pepper on the palate. Make no mistake, Graycliff 1666 is well blended, expertly constructed, balanced, flavorful, and a must try for any Graycliff fan.

PGX (6" x 50) Well constructed with a perfect burn and effortless draw. Provides much in terms of spice and the blend is consistent from start to finish. Noticed more sweetness in the aftertaste while the finish was long and exaggerated. 89/100 [Buy Now]

Pirate (6" x 52) Flawless looking wrapper with ample tooth. Seemed a bit more complex from inch to inch while the flavor profile seemed more full. Oddly, this stick burned slightly uneven. 88/100 [Buy Now]

PG (5.2" x 50) The initial light was quite robust and the draw was slightly tighter than expected. The cigar burned evenly from start to finish, offering many earthy components with a light hint of coffee that was masked by a peppery, spicy aftertaste. 88/100 [Buy Now]

Presidente (7" x 48) Robust! Offered a ton of peppery nuances with some subtle sweet notes. This is definitely a full-bodied cigar dishing out a long, pronounced finish. Some sweet hints of cocoa were noticeable after 3 inches but were drowned out by strong flavors of pepper and peat. Strong. 88/100 [Buy Now]

5/9/08: The CCOM boys check out the newest offering from Graycliff - Tim and Donny do something never before seen on CCOM Media. They try a new cigar! OK, so they have done that before, but it is a new Graycliff line, the 1666. You know you want to check it out. Bahamarama! [Listen Now]

Cuban Primeros - From the line of cigars well known for there extreme value driven price comes the Primeros Regionals' take on Cuba's classic flavor and body.

Nub - Considered one of the most innovative cigar concepts in recent years, Nub is a line of short and stout smokes blended to capture the true essence of a cigar from start to finish.

Padilla Habano - Hailing from Tabacalera Fernandez in Esteli, Nicaragua, Padilla Habano is the perfect choice for enthusiasts looking for a complex cigar with a well balanced, smooth flavor.

Rocky Patel I-Press - A limited blend from Rocky Patel, I-Press is a must try, especially for die-hard RP fans. Wrapped in a dark maduro leaf, I-Press is a box-pressed cigar that provides a rich flavor and slow burn.

Ramón Cifuentes, Carlos Fuente Sr., and Stanford Newman were some of the most recognizable names in the cigar world during the 20th century – all of which were master blenders who believed in a specific strain of Central and West African tobacco that changed the face of cigars forever. Many often ask, "Why are cigars featuring a Cameroon wrapper more expensive?" The truth is, the unique flavor of the tobacco comes at a high price that is effected by political instability, low yield, and expensive logistics.

When many of the most notable cigar makers left Cuba in search of a new home and new tobaccos with which to make their cigars, some found a hidden gem in a leaf coming from Africa. In fact, Ramón Cifuentes, the legacy of Partagas, is often remembered for discussing his introduction to Cameroon tobacco with his admission that Cameroon leaf surpassed even the best wrapper grown in Cuba. So why is Cameroon wrapper so popular? The sub-tropical climate unique to the fourth parallel provides an ideal growing atmosphere and is complemented by nutrient rich soils, yielding a delicate, yet sweet and flavorful leaf. Contrary to popular belief, Cameroon leaf is not defined by its seed. In fact, Cameroon tobacco is simply Sumatra seed grown in this specific part of the world. This is why the wrappers are often confused with Sumatra wrapper grown in Indonesia, as they tend to have similar markings.

For decades, Cameroon tobacco was controlled by a French monopoly, SEITA, which demanded a high price for their leaf. Unfortunately, leading into the 1990s, their product was declining in quality. In fact, the effect that quality issues had on demand along with increasing operating costs and instability in the region forced SEITA to cease their operations in 1993. This presented an opportunity for leaf growers, namely Rick Meerapfel, to come into the region and set up new farming and processing operations. Although Rick passed away some years later, he is remembered as the man that saved Cameroon tobacco. His legacy lives on with his two sons, Jeremiah and Joshua. Today, the Meerapfels have operations in both Cameroon and the Central African Republic. They currently employ thousands of people who would otherwise have no opportunity for work. Their success has not come easily, as working with the native farmers and governments are both difficult and dangerous, but the wrapper they sell is the best Cameroon available. In fact, these rich and oily leaves are sought after by nearly every cigar maker in the world but are only sold to a select few including the Fuentes, General Cigar, Altadis, La Aurora, and a small handful of other clients.

The inherent dangers and instability of Africa are only a few of the reasons cigars featuring this unique wrapper are so expensive. Yes, by the pound, a cigar manufacturer will spend a pretty penny for the raw materials, but the leaf itself is characterized by its smaller size and thinner texture; which means processing the tobacco is very difficult. In further detail, once the tobacco makes its way from the fields and curing barns, it must be fermented before it can be used to make premium cigars. This process breaks down elements within the leaf to make them less tannic. As you might imagine, the fermentation process can be hard on tobacco and, due to the leaf's thinner texture, Cameroon wrapper is more susceptible to damage and waste than other tobaccos.

While the unique flavor and complexity of Cameroon wrapper may not be for everyone, you have to respect its origins and the hardships associated with making it part of a cigar. When done right, the addition of Cameroon leaf to a blend makes an ordinary cigar exceptional. It is also a testament to the efforts set forth by literally hundreds of farmers and factory workers to make the fabled "perfect cigar."