If there is one thing we love at Cigars & Scripture , it’s a good story. Something that you can learn from, and yet, is compelling. George Rodriguez (President & Founder of Rodrigo Cigars) has a pretty cool story of, “How it all began”.
George Rodriguez was an aficionado looking to the chase the dream, starting his own company. Long story short, Mr. Rodriguez packed his bags and was off to the Dominican Republic in search of a master blender that could help him create the blend he was looking for. After a few weeks of zero luck, Mr. Rodriguez stumbled down just the right road only find Master Blender, William Ventura standing out front of his factory. After a brief conversation between the two men, the rest they say, is history. Read the full story here.
COUNTRY OF ORIGIN: Dominican Republic
WRAPPER: Ecuadorian Sumatra
BINDER: Dominican Republic
FILLER: Dominican Republic
VITOLA: Forte
SIZE: 5.5 x 50
PRICE: $ 6.30
APPEARANCE / CONSTRUCTION:
First thing that stood out was the high amount tooth and oily sheen that covers the Ecuadorian Sumatara wrapper. The Ecuadorian Sumatra wrapper is seemless from head to foot with few veins along the body . Wrapper is extremely rustic in appearance with multiple shades of brown, giving the Dominican cigar a beautiful appearance. I love simplicity, it has it’s own beauty in it, Rodrigo Cigars equips the La Fortaleza with a single band; black background with silver accents, logo and lettering.
Rodrigo Cigars gives the La Fortaleza a standard and a flat, simple pig tail head. On the pinch, the La Fortaleza is very dense and has a solid, well weighted feel. Quality seems to be something that runs in the family at House Of Emilio, as the La Fortaleza has great looking construction.
PRE-LIGHT:
Draw seems to be right on point and has the right constriction and leaves notes of sweet tobacco and an array of baking spices. Foot has strong notes of a light, well aged tobacco, baking spices, and a sweet finish that I just cannot seem to put my finger on. Body of the Rodrigo – La Fortaleza is not very aromatic at all.
FIRST THIRD:
First few puffs deliver sweet notes of molasses, as the first third burns on, a delicious tobacco and oak join the party on the palate. Draw off the Rodrigo is absolutely a dream and the ash has a very solid appearance. There may be little smoke off the foot, but each exhale blows off large amounts of smoke. At first light, the burn took a quick dip and had a small run, after a slight touch up, the burn tightened for the remainder of the third.
SECOND THIRD:
Second third picks up right where the first left off, and has minimal changes. The second third presents notes of sweet molasses, delicious tobacco, herbs, and spice. Retrohale is sweet with a spice finish. Burn line is amazing and has been quite tight through the whole third. The ash is still holding strong and looking great. Each exhalation delivers a high volume of dense smoke and still, miminal smoke rolls from the foot.
THIRD THIRD:
Entering the final third, the ash finally falls. In the final third, notes of oak really come into fruition and brings molasses, spice and a delicious tobacco with it. The burn tightens and becomes razor sharp. Draw is nothing but wonderful. Smoke production is unchanged and absolutely wonderful.
FINAL THOUGHTS:
While enjoying the experience of the Rodrigo – La Fortaleza, I couldn’t stop asking myself, “why has it taken me so long to light one up?” The profile of the Rodrigo – La Fortaleza doesnt take any huge shifts or changes, but, it does grow slightly in strength. The Rodrigo – La Fortaleza did have one change, as the stick burned on, the sweetness went from being the dominant note, to the spice and woods being the fron trunner. The burn and smoke was on point from beginning to end and aside from the one touch up in the first third, no others were needed.
There is really no other way to explain it, don’t wait, find a Rodrigo – La Fortaleza and light it up quick! Heck, pick up a five back or box. This blend is perfect for all kinds of smokers and enjoyable from first puff to littlest nub.
For more information on Rodrigo Cigars or the La Fortaleza, visit their website or follow them on twitter and Instagram at: @RODRIGOcigars.
**all cigars for this review were provided by House of Emilio.
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