My Father La Opulencia Staff Review

My Father is a critically acclaimed brand handmade in Estelí, Nicaragua, and blended by celebrated cigar-maker Jose ‘Pepin’ Garcia, known by most simply as ‘Pepin.’ We’re fortunate to host the Garcia family here in Philadelphia at a handful of our annual Holt’s events. Pepin and his son, Jaime Garcia, form a legendary father-and-son cigar-making team responsible for creating a number of award-winning cigars, including two former Cigar Aficionado ‘#1 Cigar of the Year’ titleholders: Flor de las Antillas Toro in 2012 and My Father Le Bijou 1922 Torpedo Box Press in 2015.

Though the family hails from Cuba, U.S. consumers continue to embrace the extensive portfolio they’ve developed since immigrating to the States in the early 2000s. Every opportunity I’ve had to talk with Jaime Garcia has been characterized by a firm handshake and his proud, unflinching smile. The same goes for Pepin. The family expresses an unmistakable passion for tobacco and seem genuinely humbled by the success they’ve garnered since reshaping their destiny as makers of premium Nicaraguan cigars for the U.S. market.

As Cigar Aficionado’s ‘#2 Cigar of the Year’ for 2018, My Father La Opulencia Toro represents another notch in the belt of the My Father brand and it is the cigar I’m reviewing today. My Father La Opulencia closely follows the Garcia family’s formula for hearty, full-bodied smokes. A dark, chalky-textured San Andrés wrapper leaf enshrouds a potent blend of Nicaraguan binder and filler tobaccos harvested from select Garcia family estates, including their El Pedrero, Las Lometas, and La Bonita farms. The interior consists of a complex recipe of premium Corojo, Criollo, and Cuban-seed tobacco varietals.

The recognizable salmon-colored My Father band, with its intricate calligraphic gold font, easily appeals to the eye against the cigar’s dark brown, 6 x 54 box-pressed shape. Woody and peppery aromas conceal a hint of sweetness in the cold draw. Zest and black pepper characterize the initial impression La Opulencia delivers when the cigar first hits your lips.

I’ve been particularly pleased with a number of Toros from the Garcia family over the years. The slightly thicker 54 ring gauge of La Opulencia offers a cooler draw which offsets the cigar’s overall intensity. An ample profile of woody spice captivates the palate right off the bat. Pushing the smoke out through your nose underscores a tangy sharpness. A peaty variety of scotch like Laphroaig or Lagavulin would pair nicely with this blend.

A firm and well-defined ash develops as the second third of the cigar approaches. Its zesty quality recedes a bit in favor of woody, smoked espresso bean notes. Although the blend remains bold, the overall flavor doesn’t change tremendously. A more uniform profile of earth and chestnuts resonates with a hint of maple as the cigar’s initially feisty impression is tamed.

By the final third, My Father La Opulencia divulges a dense but balanced finish. The draw remains seamless with a pronounced, smoky aroma guaranteed to entice other cigar lovers in the room. A number of flavorful Garcia family hallmarks reside in My Father La Opulencia. I would recommend this cigar for fans of Nicaraguan blends seeking a less spicy alternative to My Father Le Bijou 1922, but an earthier profile than the original My Father recipe offers. Put My Father La Opulencia on your radar when you’re on the hunt for a vigorous Nicaraguan gem to add to your collection.