A. Flores El Criollito Half Corona Review

Time for another honest cigar review, and this time we are going for something much smaller and more budget friendly, the A. Flores El Criollito Half Corona. Axel smoked this during the first proper warm and sunny days in Finland this spring. A nice walk with the dog, just grabbing something random from the humidor to enjoy outside.

This is one of those cigars you pick without expecting too much, and in this case, that expectation was more or less met. It is a very affordable cigar and feels like it is built to be simple, quick and easy rather than complex or memorable.

 

Cigar overview

Name: A. Flores El Criollito Half Corona
Vitola: Half Corona, 89 mm, ring gauge 50
Origin: Dominican Republic
Wrapper: Ecuadorian Criollo
Binder: Mexico, San Andrés
Filler: Dominican Republic and Nicaragua
Strength: Medium
Price: Below 5€ from CigarWorld in Europe 

Construction and draw

Construction was decent for the price point. The cigar is small and compact, with a slightly rustic wrapper. Draw was fine and smoke output was acceptable for such a short format. Burn was not perfect but also not problematic, it held together well enough for a quick smoke without requiring much attention.

 

Flavor

Flavor wise this cigar stays quite simple. Natural tobacco, leather and hay form the core profile right from the start. There are also light hints of nuts and a touch of spice, with some faint coffee notes appearing briefly. The profile remains steady throughout without much development, but it stays balanced and easy to smoke from start to finish.

 

Pairing

This cigar was enjoyed outdoors in the first spring weather in Finland. After a nice walk with the dog, the rest of the cigar was paired with an Aperol Spritz. The light bitterness and citrus from the drink worked surprisingly well with the simple tobacco profile and made the whole experience feel more enjoyable than the cigar alone might suggest.

 

Who will enjoy this

This cigar is best suited for someone looking for a quick and inexpensive smoke without expecting much complexity. It fits short breaks, casual moments or situations where you do not want to commit to a longer cigar.

 

Our rating

Average score: 83 out of 100.

 

Accessories used

Lighter: Sisuman Torch Cigar Lighter

Cutter: Sisuman Cigar Scissors

Storage: Sisuman Cigar Tube