Let's talk about the La Aurora Preferidos 1903 Edition Emerald Ecuador Corona - a 5.5" x 42 parejo that comes in boxes of 18. This medium-strength smoke from the Dominican Republic wears an Ecuadorian Connecticut Shade wrapper that glows like polished jade. At around $10.80 per stick, it's positioned as an affordable luxury in the non-Cuban market.
The cold draw delivers sweet hay and cashew notes. Upon lighting, expect creamy almond paste with white pepper sparkles. Thin blue smoke carries subtle vanilla undertones. Burn line stays razor-sharp despite the delicate wrapper.
Flavors deepen to roasted hazelnuts and coffee beans. Watch for cedar woodiness developing at the 2-inch mark. The ash holds firm in 1-inch segments, revealing tight spiral rolling technique. Retrohale brings out wheat toast nuances.
Caramelized sugars emerge without cloying sweetness. Mineral notes appear like crushed limestone, balancing the creaminess. Some testers report slight leather tones in the last inch. Draw remains effortless throughout with no relights needed.
The double cap shows precise rolling, while the triple-seam wrapper exhibits minimal veins. Using aged Dominican Piloto Cubano in the blend creates consistent combustion. The 15+ year veteran rollers at La Aurora's Santiago factory achieve remarkable density without plugging.
