Cigar Review: Aladino 85th Anniversario Reserva

The Scenic Route Home

In the world of premium cigars, the “Anniversary” label carries weight — especially when it’s tied to a house as respected as Aladino. Produced by JRE Tobacco, the Aladino 85th Anniversario Reserva is a 6 x 52 Toro, crafted entirely from rare Honduran Pinareño-seed tobacco — a true puro in every sense. The wrapper, binder, and filler all come from the same storied seed line. It’s a two-vitola limited release commemorating 85 years of Eiroa family cigar heritage — a proud milestone for a brand that has quietly carried the torch of classic Honduran flavor into the modern era.

Let me say this plainly: I like Aladino. I keep their cigars on hand. Their Corojo Reserva is a regular in my rotation. Their Connecticut is one of the better examples of the style on the market. They’ve carved out a unique space — delivering classic, nuanced cigars with a clarity that often eludes more aggressive blends. In short, this is a brand I trust to represent Honduran tobacco at its best.

Pre-Light & Cold Draw

The wrapper doesn’t give much away — muted, with only a faint dry hay note if you really go looking. The foot, though, opens up like a raisin bran cereal box: sweet, bready, and slightly jammy. It’s the kind of aroma that suggests aged tobacco, not sugar bombs.

The cold draw adds intrigue — prune, mild spice, and a whisper of grape-flavored cough syrup (in the best way possible). It’s dark fruit and warmth, with just a touch of mentholic sensation — a mouthfeel rather than a flavor.

First Third – The Smoke Relearned

This cigar reminded me how different Honduran tobacco can feel after weeks of smoking Nicaraguan blends. It’s not just medium-bodied — it’s medium-minded. Balanced. Present without being forceful.

The texture is oily. The smoke coats the palate with a subtle grip. There’s sweetness, but not fruit-forward — more like natural tobacco syrup, woven into a clean, smoky base that never strays into earth or leather.

The retrohale is wild — hot, but not peppery. It doesn’t burn, but it grabs your attention. It reminds me of blooming clove or hot cardamom — infused spice, not raw heat.

Construction is flawless. The burn line is surgical. The ash stacks cleanly, glowing red in the dusk as fireworks (I am in the evenings leading up to Independence Day) begin to pop in the distance — a visual echo of the cigar’s own fleeting intensity.

Second Third – The Canoe Ride

There’s a moment where I thought I might be getting florals — something wispy and high-toned. But it never settled. The flavors here flash and vanish, leaving the mouth feeling clean but curious.

Like the cigar is painting in broad, oily strokes rather than sketching fine detail, the transitions are gentle — more atmospheric than dramatic. There are shifts, yes — a touch more sweetness, a nudge toward dryness — but they move without fanfare. The cigar doesn’t leap into new territory; it drifts, and if you’re not paying close attention, the changes might pass you by.

A gentle woodiness appears, never dominating. It’s like sitting in a wooden canoe on a calm river — the structure is there, but the journey is about what flows around you.

The smoke texture is the very definition of medium — not thick, not thin. Just right. The bands come off without a fuss, and the construction continues to impress.

As the second third closes, the strength begins to build. Mineral notes creep in. The sweetness pulls back. The retrohale remains steady, always hot but never harsh.

Final Third – A Fading Light

The cigar never stumbles. But it doesn’t ascend, either. The flavors begin to meld and flatten, and the smoke heats up. There’s no bitterness, no harshness — just a slow fading of momentum.

The final draws are fine. Nothing offensive. If someone asked me about it, I’d say it’s good — then move on.

The flavors have melded, the smoke has grown hot, and the experience grows harder to chase. It doesn’t taste bad. It doesn’t taste great. The canoe ride simply… ends.

Final Thoughts

Putting the cigar down, you are left thinking: 

“Weren’t we going to see something?”

Only to hear the soft reply:

That was it.

It was scenic. Somewhat serene. Even if it didn’t quite infuse peace in the way you hoped. It’s over now — and you’re already on to the next river.

This isn't a bad cigar. I would happily recommend it to someone, and I enjoyed my experience with it. But a special edition cigar like this carries with it certain expectations. And while pleasant, the cigar never quite reached those expectations for me. I will always appreciate Aladino, but when you put “85th Anniversary” on the label… I expect a little more than just the scenic route home.

The Retrohale Score: B (86)

A beautifully made cigar that delivers a composed, scenic, and enjoyable journey — but one that never quite connects emotionally. It exemplifies Aladino’s house style with class and restraint, but falls short of the weight an “85th Anniversary” band implies. I’m glad I smoked it. I wouldn’t hesitate to smoke it again. But I won’t chase it down a second time.