At the end of 2015, La Verdad Cigar Co. released its first offering: the La Verdad Serafines Habano Corazones. With the release, owner Doug Owen also announced that he would be debuting the Serafines Maduro at the 2016 IPCPR Convention and Trade Show.

My review of the Habano Corazones in February 2016 was the last I realized I had heard from La Verdad cigars. Almost two years later, I messaged Owen to see what was happening with La Verdad and the response was one that we’ve seen many smaller companies give with the FDA regulations being set in place.

Long story short, the Maduro was released, but only to local Austin shops. Owen had then planned on a widespread launch of the brand at IPCPR 2017, though with the new regulations he delayed the launch and instead put La Verdad Cigar Co. on hiatus until things settle down.

Looking back on my review of the Serafines Habano Corazones, here’s what I originally had to say about it:

La Verdad’s initial offering is a solid one that certainly is as good an entry into the cigar world as any new company could hope. Starting out with one solid blend in a single size that works great with it is a good move, as it allows people to get to know the brand with its best foot forward. The Serafines’ profile is full of flavors that meld well together, shifting enough throughout the cigar to keep me interested and engaged. Paired with solid construction that only needed a little intervention on my part definitely puts this brand on my radar to keep an eye on, and definitely gets me excited to try the upcoming maduro.

  • Cigar Reviewed: La Verdad Serafines Habano Corazones
  • Country of Origin: Dominican Republic
  • Factory: Tabacalera La Tradicion Cubana
  • Wrapper: Ecuadorian Habano
  • Binder: n/a
  • Filler: Brazil & Dominican Piloto Cubano
  • Length: 6 Inches
  • Ring Gauge: 52
  • Vitola: Toro
  • MSRP: $8.25 (Boxes of 10, $82.50)
  • Release Date: Dec. 2, 2015
  • Number of Cigars Released: Regular Production
  • Number of Cigars Smoked For Redux: 1

Despite resting in my humidor for almost two years, what was called a soft box press still shows some sharp lines, more towards the foot, though the band does have one fairly hard angled corner. The wrapper still has a nice soft feeling to it, with a firmness that’s even across the entire cigar. Coming off the wrapper is a much different aroma from before, now mostly earth, graham crackers and light hints of leather. Also interestingly different is the cold draw, which is now made up of raisins, leather, vegetation and an odd aroma that I can only describe as new tires, though it’s not necessarily as offputting as it sounds.

Starting into the first third there’s lots of black pepper, a little spice and if I really pay attention there’s the remnant of a slight chemical aftertaste. Thankfully it seems to clear up after about an inch, while the pepper dies down slightly and allows a sweeter cocoa note to appear alongside the spice and a more distinct cinnamon note. Moving into the second third the pepper is still a prominent enough flavor to counteract the sweetness a little, while spice and cocoa continue to lead the profile. Towards the end of this third an earthiness has developed in the background, further counteracting the sweetness. With the final third starting, spice still leads in the front, while the cocoa has faded a bit to join the pepper in the middle, while earth and hints of coffee beans bring up the background. There’s still a sweetness in there, but it’s countered enough that I can’t really call the profile sweet anymore.

The Serafines Corazones starts out with an even enough burn, but as I burn through the first inch it starts to go sideways enough that I need to touch it up and get it back on track. There is plenty of smoke production, which is certainly aided by a draw right in the middle of the ideal range. While the ash isn’t as dense as I remember, it’s still firm enough to hold past the inch mark. The second third requires another touch up as the burn gets a little too jagged. Thankfully the final third seems to settle down, and the burn line stays even enough to the end of the cigar.

83 Overall Score

I seem to remember the profile of the La Verdad Serafines Habano Corazones being much sweeter when I first smoked it, more so in the first half. With almost two years of rest, the loss of that sweetness allows a much earthier profile to exist. That’s not necessarily a bad thing, but it creates an overall different experience with just a few similarities along the way. While I personally enjoyed these more when they were fresh, I’m sure plenty of people would still find this aged profile pleasant. Unfortunately with the company’s hiatus, it might be difficult to find these if it sounds down your alley, but it sounds like we haven’t seen the last of La Verdad.

Original Score (February 2016)
86
Redux Score (October 2017)
83
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Brian Burt

I have been smoking cigars since 2005 and reviewing them as a hobby since 2010. Initially, I started out small with a 50-count humidor and only smoking one or two cigars a month. Not knowing anybody else that smoked cigars, it was only an occasional hobby that I took part in. In March of 2010, I joined Nublive and Cigar Asylum, connecting me with many people who also shared an interest in cigars. Reading what they had to say about brands I had never heard of, I quickly immersed myself in the boutique brands of the industry and it was then that cigars transformed from a hobby into a passion.