Note- I unfortunately do not have any pictures, as this was smoked while on the road. Notes were taken during smoking, but I couldn't manage to get any images that were post worthy.
Azan Burgundy
Size: Petite Corona (5 1/8 x 42)
Wrapper: Ecuadorian Corojo
Binder: Nicaraguan
Filler: Jalapa and Nicaraguan
Price: $3.60 per cigar. Available online through Cigar Federation in five packs for $18.00
Brand Information:
The Azan line of cigars comes in "White," "Burgundy," and "Maduro Natural." The cigars are manufactured under the Roberto Duran company, and are rolled in the Nicatabaco SA factory in Esteli, Nicaragua.
Azan was first founded in Cuba, when Kwan Ben Sen and family migrated from China. Adopting the Cuban name Domingo Azan, Kwan managed to grow his brand into a well known regional cigar. He won the national lottery, investing money in his factory. It became the main source of income for the region, producing high quality cigars. After the Cuban Revolution in 1959, the Azan factory became part of the state ran "Empresa de Tabaco Torcido Villa Clara, Manicaragua." - Now under the production of Roberto Duran cigars, Azan is an affordable premium line of boutique cigars.
Appearance
The Azan Burgundy is a nice looking Petite Corona. The wrapper is a dark brown in color. There are some small veins on the cigar, but for the price point the appearance and construction of the cigar seem to be top notch. It is slightly firm, with no spongy soft spots.
Pre-Light
Aroma: The main scent is an earthy soil aroma. There is some hints of a nice hay, slightly sweet, in the background.
Cold Draw: The draw is slightly floral. There are some hints of a semi-sweet cocoa left behind, mingling with the dark flavor of Nicaraguan tobacco. The wrapper lends a slight bit of spice to the lips and tongue when it is wet.
1st
The first half of the cigar is the most flavorful for this small smoke. The flavors transition rather quickly, first starting out with a hint of floral and cocoa that match the cold draw. The standard flavor of dark Nicaraguan tobacco is in the background, holding all of the other flavors together. The floral notes fade away, replaced by a slight bitterness, though not the bad type. It reminds me of a strong black coffee. There are some undertones of spice throughout the first half, but it is muted by the other flavors.
2nd
At the start of the second half some cedar flavor begins to play through the standard tobacco flavors. It mixes well to provide some balance, and neither flavor is too strong at this point. There are still some mild sweet spots in the cigar, though they don't last very long and are weakened by the darker tobacco and bitter cocoa/coffee flavors. There still isn't much in terms of normal spice bite, but it keeps the cigar from becoming too overpowering or hot.
Impressions
I really enjoyed the first half. The flavors changed enough to keep the cigar interesting. The second half toned down and became mostly a standard tobacco flavor, but there were some hints of sweetness and other flavors that kept it from becoming too one sided.
At the price point, if you're looking for a short smoke and are familiar and comfortable with standard Nicaraguan flavors, these are a consistant and decent cigar to reach for. They aren't outstanding, and won't wow you with flavors that transition wildly, but they offer a nice cheaper option for a Petite Corona. If you give them time to rest and acclimate to a nice low humidity (I'd go with 60-62 myself.) they will preform quite wonderfully in the burn department. The main thing is not allowing them to get too hot, as the flavors will dull out into bitter and dark. If you keep it smoking cool, you might be pleasantly surprised at the value and enjoyment you get from these little cigars. (I was.)
Azan Burgundy
Size: Petite Corona (5 1/8 x 42)
Wrapper: Ecuadorian Corojo
Binder: Nicaraguan
Filler: Jalapa and Nicaraguan
Price: $3.60 per cigar. Available online through Cigar Federation in five packs for $18.00
Brand Information:
The Azan line of cigars comes in "White," "Burgundy," and "Maduro Natural." The cigars are manufactured under the Roberto Duran company, and are rolled in the Nicatabaco SA factory in Esteli, Nicaragua.
Azan was first founded in Cuba, when Kwan Ben Sen and family migrated from China. Adopting the Cuban name Domingo Azan, Kwan managed to grow his brand into a well known regional cigar. He won the national lottery, investing money in his factory. It became the main source of income for the region, producing high quality cigars. After the Cuban Revolution in 1959, the Azan factory became part of the state ran "Empresa de Tabaco Torcido Villa Clara, Manicaragua." - Now under the production of Roberto Duran cigars, Azan is an affordable premium line of boutique cigars.
Appearance
The Azan Burgundy is a nice looking Petite Corona. The wrapper is a dark brown in color. There are some small veins on the cigar, but for the price point the appearance and construction of the cigar seem to be top notch. It is slightly firm, with no spongy soft spots.
Pre-Light
Aroma: The main scent is an earthy soil aroma. There is some hints of a nice hay, slightly sweet, in the background.
Cold Draw: The draw is slightly floral. There are some hints of a semi-sweet cocoa left behind, mingling with the dark flavor of Nicaraguan tobacco. The wrapper lends a slight bit of spice to the lips and tongue when it is wet.
1st
The first half of the cigar is the most flavorful for this small smoke. The flavors transition rather quickly, first starting out with a hint of floral and cocoa that match the cold draw. The standard flavor of dark Nicaraguan tobacco is in the background, holding all of the other flavors together. The floral notes fade away, replaced by a slight bitterness, though not the bad type. It reminds me of a strong black coffee. There are some undertones of spice throughout the first half, but it is muted by the other flavors.
2nd
At the start of the second half some cedar flavor begins to play through the standard tobacco flavors. It mixes well to provide some balance, and neither flavor is too strong at this point. There are still some mild sweet spots in the cigar, though they don't last very long and are weakened by the darker tobacco and bitter cocoa/coffee flavors. There still isn't much in terms of normal spice bite, but it keeps the cigar from becoming too overpowering or hot.
Impressions
I really enjoyed the first half. The flavors changed enough to keep the cigar interesting. The second half toned down and became mostly a standard tobacco flavor, but there were some hints of sweetness and other flavors that kept it from becoming too one sided.
At the price point, if you're looking for a short smoke and are familiar and comfortable with standard Nicaraguan flavors, these are a consistant and decent cigar to reach for. They aren't outstanding, and won't wow you with flavors that transition wildly, but they offer a nice cheaper option for a Petite Corona. If you give them time to rest and acclimate to a nice low humidity (I'd go with 60-62 myself.) they will preform quite wonderfully in the burn department. The main thing is not allowing them to get too hot, as the flavors will dull out into bitter and dark. If you keep it smoking cool, you might be pleasantly surprised at the value and enjoyment you get from these little cigars. (I was.)
