I know what you’re probably thinking right now: “What gives? Another ‘first impressions’ video? Where are my full-length reviews?” I’m sorry! I mean, it’s not like I’m busy, what with the new job, new house, pregnant wife, and everything else. I know I’ve been slacking, but there are only 24 hours in a day. So please bear with me, and don’t everyone throw your computer mice at my head all at once!
The first thing you notice about La Sirena is the massive & ornate band that dominates the cigar’s appearance, covering roughly two-thirds of the length of the Prince, the smallest vitola in the line. I, for one, think it looks pretty cool, but you have to remove it almost immediately after lighting up, so the good looks don’t last. And, as we all know, looks aren’t everything. Fortunately, La Sirena has got it where it counts, too. Produced by Miami Cigar, manufactured by My Father in Nicaragua, and sporting a really promising blend of tobaccos, I had been looking forward to smoking a La Sirena for quite some time now. Did it live up to such lofty expectations? Watch the video to find out…
La Sirena Prince by the numbers:
Size: 5×50
Vitola: robusto
Wrapper: Connecticut Broadleaf Maduro
Binder: Nicaraguan Criollo ’98 and Corojo ’96
Filler: Nicaragua
Strength: Medium-Full
Factory: My Father Cigars in Esteli, Nicaragua
No. smoked for review: 1 (first impressions)
Duration: 1 hour
Source: purchased by the reviewer
MSRP: $9.00
Website: www.miamicigarandcompany.com
Twitter: @MiamiCigar
(Video length: 14:51)
Soundtrack: “i got chu” by Markeitheo and Kendall
Despite the serious problems with the wrapper, I really enjoyed the flavor profile delivered by La Sirena. The cigar had been resting soundly in my coolidor for months, so it’s hard to fault the environmental conditions. Maybe I can chalk it up to one bad wrapper leaf…? In any event, I’ll certainly be giving La Sirena another chance sometime in the future.
Hey! Don’t forget about my Tatuaje Cojonu 2012 giveaway — there’s still a few days left to enter!
About Charlie:
Charlie has been enjoying cigars since 2000 and generally prefers a medium-bodied, full-flavored smoke. A USAF vet, he is currently pursuing a PhD in computer science, focusing on artificial intelligence and computational linguistics. Originally from Connecticut and now residing in Delaware, Charlie is also a fan of football, science fiction, political philosophy, and single malt scotch. You can contact Charlie on Twitter @greenbacker.
Enjoyed the review. No problem with first impressions, as far as I’m concerned. Hope all is going well with the changes in your life.
I very much enjoyed the one La Sirena that I had, although the flavors fell a bit flat in the last third. I’ve heard some people say that they prefer them fresh. I think the Sea Sprite (5.5 X 42) is actually the smallest vitola in the line.
Nice job, No throwing of computer mice…are we really such a tough crowd?
You are still on your honeymoon period at the moment…as soon as we start expecting things from you, then you’re in trouble!
Charlie – too bad about the wrapper. I guess it happens occasionally to the best of them. I enjoyed the couple of the La Sirena’s that I smoked. Good luck with the new job.
great review as always!! keep up the great work!
Nice review Charlie, sucks about the cracked wrapper that looked nasty. I haven’t had any of the La Sirena line I have heard mixed reviews about them, guess I’ll have to search a couple out and try them for myself. Congrats on the new job
I’m a big fan of these guys, never had an issue with the burn or wrapper though. I guess there’s always the exeption.
Hey, Charlie. Cracked wrappers are a fact of life, and it sounds like you took good care of it. I keep some fruit pectin at the ready to try to rescue wrapper disasters before they get too bad. I wonder if the huge band created a dry spot on the wrapper, was it stored in cello? Seems like wrapper cracks happen more often under big bands. Never tried a La Sirena, sounds like it wasn’t a wow cigar for you or maybe the construction just spoiled it.
How do you like the Xikar Stratosphere? It is the only lighter I have that gives me zero problems at 8,400 feet here in the Colorado Rockies. The case broke at the hinge of the cap on my first Stratosphere and Xikar replaced the entire lighter gratis. What a company.
Don’t apologize for the first impressions format… we all need to remember that you guys are volunteering your time and you have a life, right?
Charlie – Congrats on the new job, new house, baby-on-the-way, AND your excellent taste in headwear(!).
Man I hate when that happens!! It even kind of embarrassing when your at a lounge with a bunch of people lol
That is one gorgeous band, but I can see what you mean about the hassle of taking it off. Hopefully your next one will feature a better wrapper!
A great review Mike, I’m not a cigar aficinado but I do like enjoy a good cigar every. I’ve heard this on a cigar website. I’ve been used this method and its worked. The Connecticut Broadleaf Maduro Wrapper would like the Humidity 68% to 70%.
Thanks for the review on the La Sirena, I’ve been hearing good things about them on the forums I frequent. Too bad you had the wrapper issues for your first impression. Guess you’ll just have to try more. Good luck with the new job and congrats with the house and the baby on the way.
Takes a real man to wear a sweater like, especially after the GIANTS whopped their as@#@!!! I see the reason for the bad wrapper is the BAD SHIRT!!! LOL just pulling your leg, but like always another great review and congrats on the new job house and baby on the way.
Nice review Charlie. My first experience with La Sirena and it didn’t impress me much. I tried The Prince earlier in the week and it was a lot better than I remembered it being. Great flavors. Didn’t have any wrapper issues like you did. I’ll have to try them again and see if they continue to grown on me.
Charlie – It was great catching up with you a couple of weeks ago! So, congrats on the new job, and your new house, and of course your new almost-baby (tell mom, congrats, too!).
Congrats on the new job. Thanx for the review. I liked these so much I bought a box. Have not had any wrapper problems though. Keep up the good work.
Playing catchup here on SR today…nice review Charlie. This is probably one of the few Pepin blends that I don’t really enjoy but the chick who represents the brand is smoking hot! LOL.