Few mid-priced cigars have held a spot in humidors as long as the La Aroma de Cuba Mi Amor. It debuted in 2010, picked up national acclaim almost immediately, and is still the go-to answer when someone asks for a dark, chocolatey, box-pressed Nicaraguan that does not cost a fortune. This is a research-based review, drawn from published reviews and the blend details released by the brand.
The Story Behind It
La Aroma de Cuba started as a Honduran-made line from Ashton Distributors in 2002. Ashton later brought in José “Pepin” García to build new versions, and in 2009 the original La Aroma moved to García’s factory as well. Today the line is rolled at My Father Cigars in Estelí, Nicaragua, by the García family.
The Mi Amor was the first Ashton cigar made with a Mexican wrapper. Ashton had long used Connecticut broadleaf for its dark cigars, so this was a real change. Cigar Aficionado covered the launch in 2010 and put the Magnifico size in its Top 25 Cigars of the Year. The Belicoso later earned a 95-point rating from the magazine.
The Blend
- Wrapper: Mexican San Andrés, Cuban-seed maduro
- Binder: Nicaraguan
- Filler: Nicaraguan
- Factory: My Father Cigars, Estelí, Nicaragua
- Format: Box-pressed
- Strength: Generally described as medium to medium-full
The wrapper is the story here. Grown in the San Andrés Valley near Veracruz, it turns dark and oily, with plenty of tooth.
Sizes and Price
The line is made in these box-pressed sizes:
- Robusto: 5 x 50
- Belicoso: 5 1/2 x 54
- Valentino: 5 3/4 x 58
- Magnifico: 6 x 52
- Churchill: 7 x 50
Early on, the Robusto carried an MSRP under $7. Prices have crept up since. Expect to pay roughly $9 to $11 per cigar at most retailers today, with box discounts bringing the per-stick cost down. Check current pricing before you buy.
Appearance and Construction
Reviewers describe a deep chocolate-brown wrapper with an oily sheen, a toothy feel, and few, fine veins. The box-press is sharp and square, and the cigar feels firm in hand. Across the published reviews, construction is a strong point: a smooth draw, a mostly even burn, a solid ash, and plenty of smoke.
What to Expect in the Smoke
- Pre-light: Cocoa, cedar, sweet earth, and in some reviews a note of dark cherry.
- First third: Cocoa and cedar lead, then the classic García pepper arrives. One reviewer called the early pepper hard enough to want a tissue nearby. It settles within the first inch or two.
- Middle: Creaminess builds, with caramel, coffee, nuts, and leather coming in. Cocoa stays at the center.
- Final third: More wood, earth, and pepper, with the sweetness fading. One reviewer noted a slightly charry edge near the nub.
Not every reviewer loved it. A more critical write-up found bitter cocoa and pepper dominating from start to finish and wanted more complexity and transitions. That is a fair point: this is a bold, consistent cigar, not a shape-shifting one.
Who Should Smoke It
This is a strong pick for smokers who like sweet, chocolate-forward flavor with a Nicaraguan pepper kick, and for anyone who wants a reliable everyday cigar. It pairs well with black coffee, dark rum, bourbon, or a stout. If you want a cigar that changes dramatically from third to third, look elsewhere.
Bottom Line
More than a decade on, the Mi Amor still earns its reputation. The Mexican wrapper gives it a sweetness most Nicaraguan cigars lack, the construction is dependable, and the price is fair for what you get. Consistency is the selling point, and for most smokers, that is plenty.