Pre-light Experience

The wrapper is medium brown with a nice velvety texture to it. There are a few slightly raised veins and while the seams are smooth, they are pretty easily visible as they carry a slightly darker shade near the edges. The head has a well applied triple cap. The band is black and gold and has a nice font and design on it. Very different than the original Serino offerings. The aroma from the wrapper is a light pipe tobacco note while the foot is a creamy leather and I feel a bit silly saying that it smells more of the suede variation. The pre-light draw is quite interesting as it has a cherry sweetness along with some creamy leather and some white pepper. There is also quite a spicy tingle on my lips and tip of my tongue.

Pre-light Experience

The Serino Wayfarer Corona Gorda has a Colorado Maduro wrapper shade. Veins are well pressed, seams tight, bunch and roll has a uniformed feel and the parejo head is finished off with a thick triple cap. Nosing the wrapper tells cedar and white pepper. Aroma off the foot tells deep white pepper and barnyard. Cold draw gives white pepper on the tip of the tongue, nuts and cedar.

First Third

Some dark wood, black pepper and a sweetness (reminiscent of pipe tobacco) kick off this cigar. After a half dozen draws, the sweetness fades away and the mix of dark wood and black pepper smooths out a bit. At a half inch in, the wood note loses a lot of the darkness and the pepper has mellowed some as well but a bit of mustiness joins the profile. At an inch and a half, the wood gains a bit of a pine note to it which is also present on the retrohale along with a slight bit of cream. As the third comes to a close, the cream becomes present in the mouth flavors and takes on a significant role along with the slight pine wood note and mellow black pepper. The strength in this third was slightly above medium.

First Third

This cigar is all about that Aganorsa-like flavor profile. Creamy bread and graphite minerality is front and center. There’s also a lengthy amount of nuttiness and just the right amount of black pepper spice picked up when retrohaling. The finish is comprised of a lingering dry wood, slight black pepper on the rear palate and nuts. Strength and body is medium.

Second Third

As the second third begins, the pine note is very faint as part of the overall wood note as it’s gained a slight char. The cream is still playing a large role while the mustiness and pepper remain in the background. At an inch in, the slightly charred wood and cream are present up front while the mustiness is in the background and the pepper has left the profile. As the third comes to a close, the cream fades way back and leaves a slightly drying profile of charred wood and mustiness. The strength in this third remained slightly above medium.

Second Third

The second third shifts towards being more mineral focused with intermittent slightly soured citrus notes. Given the increase in minerality, the creamed bread note takes a back seat. The retrohale provides a sharper black pepper (but never overbearing). Strength is creeping towards medium-full while body maintains medium.

Final Third

As the final third begins, the charred and musty wood continues although it isn’t as dry as before. There is a larger amount of char present on the retrohale. At a half inch in, a little coffee joins in with the charred wood and mustiness. At an inch in, the coffee becomes quite faint while the charred and musty wood remain up front. This is how the cigar finishes. The strength in this third remained at slightly above medium.

Final Third

The last third remains consistent to the second third. Minerals continue to drive the flavor profile with creamed bread and balanced black pepper to follow. Strength is still near medium-full while body remains medium.

Burn

The burn was a bit wavy throughout and required a couple of touch-ups. The ash held on in one inch increments

Burn

Burn performance was overall very good. Slightly flaky ashes as well as an uneven burn and a cool burning temperature on the mouth feel.

Draw

The draw was a bit tighter than I prefer, but didn’t cause any issues with the smoking experience.

Overall

The first two thirds carried some nice flavors and changes while the final third wasn’t as dynamic for either. In hearing that Cuban cigars were a bit of an inspiration for this line, I could see some similarities, particularly in the second third. I think this cigar would appeal to a wide range of smokers as the flavors are fairly easy to decipher and the strength is right around medium. This is a good first blend for Carson and I’m looking forward to more of what he brings to the brand.

Draw

The perfect amount of resistance and airflow.

Overall

A tasty Aganorsa style of flavors. Meaning, the cigar was first and foremost all about flavor with strength as a second thought. Although tasty, the balance was thrown off at times such that it was too mineral forward, taking away from the other nuances and complexities. Nonetheless, this is a great new addition to Serino’s portfolio and well worth checking out.

Aaron Loomis

SCORE

6.47

Cost/Point

$1.19

Scoring System

Jiunn Liu

SCORE

7.42

Cost/Point

$1.04

Scoring System

Team Cigar Review: Serino Wayfarer Corona Gorda