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Los Angeles, October 8, 2010 – Many smokers may not be that familiar with the name Augusto Reyes, but he is well-known in the cigar trade.
A highly-respected blender and producer of cigars in his Dominican factory, he made a name for himself by creating lines for others such as Fittipaldi, but finally came out with his own brand in 2006, in five styles called Criollo, Epicur, Grand Cru, Nativo and Maduro. His U.S. distribution deal did not pan out as he hoped and the lines briefly left the market while Reyes plotted his comeback.
That came at the 2010 IPCPR convention and trade show in New Orleans, where he not only displayed two new lines of cigars - Signature Series and Sixth Generation - but also won the IPCPR's coveted award for the Best Booth Design by a New Exhibitor! We took some time to examine his new cigars.
Augusto Reyes Signature:
[Dominican Republic: available in 4 sizes]
Every Dominican cigar maker takes pride in creating an all-Dominican cigar and the Signature Series presents Augusto Reyes's third version of the puro, after his Augusto Reyes Grand Cru and Nativo. The white, black and gold main band is complimented by a gold footer band and the blend offers a medium-bodied presence in the mouth with a dramatically spicy aroma.
The taste is well tuned to the modern smoker, looking for more and more powerful flavors. Strong spicy notes dominate from the start, with a balancing note of sweetness primarily in the first half. The construction, draw and burn are all excellent.
There is hidden depth in the Signature Series and it can become heady if you are not used to such strong blends, even if medium-bodied in mouth feel. The spicy and peppery notes continue into the second half, with just a hint of sweetness to calm the overall effect. The chocolate-brown wrapper and excellent feel of these cigars may not prepare you for its power, but it is there. Experienced smokers who enjoy spicy and peppery blends will appreciate the layers of muscle inside this blend.
Each of the four sizes is offered in boxes of 20, and priced from $6.50 to $7.00 each, excluding local sales and tobacco taxes.
Overall grade: 
: Very Good.
Augusto Reyes Sixth Generation:
[Dominican Republic: available in 4 sizes]
You may find it a little difficult to identify the Sixth Generation on a store shelf, since the words "Sixth Generation" are quite tiny against a giant, bright red band! Moreover, like the Signature Series, this line also has a gold footer band.
Once you light it, you'll find it has a light, spicy aroma, with a medium-to-full-bodied taste that features a Nicaraguan-grown wrapper. The flavor almost explodes in your mouth and Reyes notes that this is a "bold blend," with a burst of spice, followed by a light, caramelized sweetness. The spicy element is quite sharp and takes the lead, with the sweet notes left in the background.
The construction is first-rate, with an easy draw and an even burn. The blend becomes somewhat mellower in the second half, with both the spicy and sweet tones in evidence, but with the spicy edge remaining quite apparent right to the end.
All four sizes are presented in boxes of 20, quite accessibly priced from $5.50 to $6.20 per cigar, not including local sales and tobacco taxes.
Overall grade: : Very Good.
Reyes has made a nice comeback with these new blends, to complement his existing and less potent lines. Smokers who enjoy powerful cigars will find a lot to like in Reyes’s newest creations.
~ Rich Perelman
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