AG Cigars Un Nuevo Reino is a new cigar to me that I wouldn’t have discovered if not for Small Batch Cigar. It’s also the second cigar we’ve reviewed this week from Mi Havana Cigar Factory.
AG Cigars is owned Alejandro González Arias, or simply Alex as most know him. He isn’t your average cigar owner though. He graduated as a Torcedor from the cigar making academy at El Laguito before serving at Hotel Comodoro in Havana, Cuba. Today, he is a co-owner at Mi Havana where he oversees quality control.
Cigar Review:Un Nuevo Reino
Size: 6 x 54 (King /Toro)
Wrapper: Ecuador
Binder: Nicaragua
Fillers: Nicaragua
Factory: Mi Havana
Release Date: 2024
Production: Regular Production
Box Size: 20
The Cigar: The band is bright and colorful but is an example of horrible marketing. While there is a stylized AG in the center of the band which is colorful does nothing to relay the name of the cigar and the company. The Ecuador grown wrapper has some thin veins and subtle oils. The roll is a tad porous and featured pigtail cap. In the hand the cigar is firm with an above average weight. The footband of the cigar which does nothing to relay the name of the cigar has to much glue and the wrapper has torn once it was removed despite excessive care.
The Taste: The cold draw has notes of cedar and buttery bread with a touch of orange marmalade all of which are mimicked on the foot with a touch of spice that elicits a sneeze. Once the cigar is toasted and lit the its exceptionally smooth notes of warm bread with butter melting into it.
Smoking the first third we move through the torn wrapper with no further splitting with a solid light color ash. There is continued buttery notes with nuances of almonds and pecans along with some generic wood notes and a touch of baking spices. The aroma has a floral element, vanilla and a touch of nutmeg.
Moving into the second third notes of cedar become dominant with continued nuances of nuts and the introduction of wheat. Some of the floral aromas on the retrohale make their way to the palate on this cigar that started of as mild-medium on perceived strength that is approaching the territory of medium-full. The retrohale sees a touch of orange citrus and middle eastern spices that ads to a wonderful flavor profile.
The final third sees the amount of spices ramp up as we remove the cigar band with notes of middle eastern spices. There is some cardamon, a touch of clove and nutmeg present. Additional as the cigsar comes to a close there is some black pepper and earth present with a slight flora component that appears briefly. That floral note is enhanced on the retrohale where it is a joined by cardamon and cedar with a slight hint of white pepper.
Conclusion: If I was a retailer I would not carry Un Reino Nueva for two reasons. The first would be the horrible branding with the less than memorable name and the lack of name branding anywhere on the cigar. The second is their website at the time of publishing sells direct to consumer which to me violates the retailer/brand relationship. As a consumer this is a cigar I would smoke again without a second thought. It’s flavorful, balanced and has a price point that is fair. I just worry the next time I go to the Small Batch website to purchase that I won’t remember the name.
Score: 91
Price: $12.00 (before any local or state taxes)
You can find these at Small Batch Cigar and if you use the coupon code BARRELBURNER you can save 10% off your order once you are logged in at checkout.
