Leoninos Bellicoso by La Aurora Review

[craigchilds]

La Aurora Leoninos Bellicoso
Size: 6.5 x 52
Filler: Piloto Cubano, Dominican Corojo, Bahía and Nicaragua
Binder: Dominican
Wrapper: Corojo
Price: $2.80-$4.60

I got a great deal on these cigars from CigarBid: 15 cigars for $24 (incl. shipping).

Leoninos is distinctive for two reasons:
1) It was the first cigar made with a Dominican corojo wrapper
2) It is the first La Aurora brand cigar I've ever tried (although I've enjoyed other brands from the same factory, like 5 Vegas)

For a sub-$2 smoke, these are very well made. Each cigar is wrapped in a reddish-brown leaf, all with consistent appearance free of veins, bumps, stretches, and tears. They do not tend to be rolled very tight, but allow for a rather loose draw. They rarely have burn problems or require touch-ups. They hold a decent inch of ash (but I've learned the hard way not too push the limit unless I want a mess).

The taste profile is also consistent. They have a fruity aroma and the slight taste of apples, or maybe cherries (something I've noticed before in corojos). There is also detectable coffee flavors throughout the cigar. The taste is a little rough around the edges, not smooth and creamy like I expected it to be. Kind of a cross between Black Pearl Rojo and El Credito maduro. Overall, its not my favorite taste profile in a cigar--I prefer the straight-up nuttiness of the 5 Vegas Classic-but certainly enjoyable nonetheless.

[gvarsity]

Nice review. I've liked the few La Aurora products I have had. Love me a corojo wrapper. mmmmmm

[El Gato]

Nice review. Those are some of my favorite "cheap" cigars. I think the quality and flavor for the price just can't be beat. I find all the sizes to be good.
You can often "win" a 20 cigar sampler of these on C-bid for a song.

[6clicks]

I just got one in a sampler. I'll have to give it a shot. thanks for the review.