L’atalier Cote d’Or ’19 is the latest release of the L’atelier Cote d’Or line which was released in 2014. At the time I called it one of the best cigars I ever smoked, and something I still believe to this date. Since then the company has come out with the Cote d’Or ’17 (2020), Cote d’Or ’18 (2024) and the Cote d’Or 2019 (2025)
Côte d’Or is French for “Gold Coast”, it is also the name of a famous French Burgundy wine growing region and might also refer to use of Pelo de Oro tobacco which is referred to as the golden hair. The tobacco once grown is Cuba has been banned from the island nation due to its susceptibility of mold.
Is the cigar close to the original which was a 7 x 47 Churchill? Let’s find out…
Cigar Review: L’atelier Cote d’Or ’19
Size: 6 x 50 (Toro)
Wrapper: Nicaragua Sancti Spiritus
Binder: Nicaragua
Fillers: Nicaragua (Includes Pelo de Oro)
Factory: My Father Cigars S.A.
Release Date: July 2025
Production: Limited (1,500 Boxes)
Box Size: 10
The Cigar: Featuring a band of butter yellow and gold, the L’atelier denotes 2019 on the backside of the cigar as well as the brand name L’atelier and the leaf logo. The cigar which features a veiny Sancti Spiritus wrapper has some brindling to it and is nowhere near as dark as the original. The box pressed cigar which has ribbon foot band has some subtle oils and no voids to tobacco with a slightly below average weight.
The Taste: The cold draw of the Cote d’Or ’19 has a nice amount of cocoa rising from the wrapper and on the aroma which also sees a touch of prune sweetness. The foot of the cigar has a strong manure aroma to it and I am eager to light this cigar up. Once the cigar is toasted and lit there are notes of cedar and apricots to start things off.
The first third sees notes of earth and mocha become dominant while there is some apricot sweetness in the background where it is also joined by a touch of raisins. The retrohale sees notes of wood, black pepper and a some additional mocha all of which are relatively short in duration.
Moving into the second third terroir notes become dominant with an abundance of earth serving as the focal point of the cigar until the halfway point where some caramel sweetness begin to emerge along side some mocha giving the cigar a delicious sweetness where is also joined by a well defined pistachio nuttiness.
Moving into the final third nuts and cocoa lurk in the background of an earthy canvas along with some blackberries, cedar and a very subtle plum sweetness. There is a lingering spice on the finish that is intensified on the retrohale giving the cigar a bit of extra depth with the introduction of vanilla that I wish showed up a bit earlier to the party.
Conclusion: While the L’Atelier Cote d’Or ’19 isn’t as good as the original or least what I remember of the original this release is simply outstanding. I’ve gone through a box of them since I located them locally and they are without a doubt worthy of two boxes. It’s smooth, rich and complex. Today, was a special day for me that has changed my circle of family and I am at a loss for words. So, go out and buy two boxes of these before they are gone.
Score: 95
Price: $18.00
You can find these at Small Batch Cigar and if you use the coupon code BARRELBURNER you can save 10% off your purchase.
