Aganorsa Leaf’s Signature Tobacco
Introduction:
Aganorsa Leaf is famous for the signature flavor and aroma of the Leaf we grow - the backbone of this unique taste can be traced to the Corojo 99 and Criollo 98 Cuban seed varietals from the Nicaraguan regions of Jalapa and Estelí that are featured in all Aganorsa blends.
In this article, I will discuss how these seeds impact your experience when you enjoy one of our ligas as well as how they combine with an exciting new varietal we are now using: Corojo 2012.
Corojo 99:
Aganorsa is the only major grower of Corojo 99 in Nicaragua because and a lot of this is attributed to the heritage of our growers - Cuban farmers typically love the flavor and aroma as it reminds them of tobacco that is grown in Cuba.
“Why else would you grow tobacco other than for flavor or aroma?” you might ask. Well, at the end of the day the cigar industry is a business, and one varietal might be more disease resistant or yield more tobacco than another that is more flavorful. Just like the tomatoes sold in the grocery stores that are often grown because they don’t bruise easily or ripen too fast - the farmer and supermarket can make more money. Flavor isn’t the only factor when growing tobacco. However, Aganorsa is one of the largest landowners in Nicaragua and cultivates such a large amount of tobacco, that we can afford to produce less if it means the flavor will be outstanding.
Corojo 99 from Jalapa is really special. Situated in the north of the country near the border of Honduras, the terroir is very similar to Pinar Del Rio—the region of Cuba renowned for the best Cuban tobacco. Aganorsa-grown Corojo 99 is distinctive in flavor and produces salivation on the sides of the palate, spice on the tip of the tongue and through the retrohale, and a lingering sweetness. Every Aganorsa blend will have some amount of Corojo 99 in the blend, and we use this special tobacco as wrapper, binder, and filler.
Criollo 98:
Criollo 98 from Estelí is the quintessential Nicaraguan tobacco and is the other key component that we blend into all our cigars. Whereas Corojo 99 is grown only by Aganorsa, Criollo 98 is commonly cultivated by many farmers in Nicaragua, and while Jalapa has red sandy earth, the soil in Estelí is dark and volcanic.
Aganorsa’s Criollo 98 is rich and gritty in taste and will produce a saltiness on the roof of the palate. Aganorsa utilizes this hearty leaf as binders and filler tobacco and just like Corojo 99, some will be found in every Aganorsa blend. When combined with Corojo 99, the two seed varietals synthesize to stimulate the entire palate and produce a balance and complexity that is greater than the sum of its parts. This flavor is the very essence of Aganorsa and provides the basis of each unique expression we create.
Corojo 2012:
While all our blends utilize Corojo 99 and Criollo 98 in some capacity, we have recently started to introduce a new seed varietal we have been preparing for many years: Corojo 2012. Although we are constantly experimenting, Aganorsa rarely commits to producing a new seed varietal, and in the few instances that we do, two factors are crucial: the flavor and aroma of the leaf and how it complements our Corojo 99 and Criollo 98 seed varietals. Some tobaccos don’t grow well on our farms but even if they are flavorful by themselves, they must combine seamlessly with the tobaccos we will incorporate along with it in the blends we create.
Corojo 2012 passed both these tests with flying colors. Leathery and floral, this varietal beautifully augments Aganorsa’s flavor profile to create the complex smoking experiences that we strive for.
Currently, we have introduced only one such expression of Corojo 2012: the Guardian of the Farm Cerberus. Cerberus is named after the mythological three-headed hound that guarded Hades. Each head represents one of the seed varietals featured in the blend: binder and fillers of Corojo 99 and Criollo 98 with a gorgeous Corojo 2012 wrapper. This distinctive blend is the only one currently incorporating all three seeds. The result is a medium bodied, complex cigar incredibly rich in flavor and a blend that stands out among our other offerings. But don’t take my word for it - experience one for yourself and validate its quality and pleasure inducing taste.
Closing Thoughts:
There you have it - the tobacco that has made Aganorsa what it is today. From day one, Aganorsa has been dedicated to excellence and we will continue to take pride in the tobacco we grow and the cigars we blend.
You can shop Aganorsa’s portfolio here at Cigora, and to learn more about Aganorsa, check out our website at www.aganorsaleaf.com.
