Hey everyone, Mike here with another cigar review for you! Today I’m diving into something that caught my eye – the Rojas Street Tacos Carnitas. Now, I’ll be honest with you folks, I had to fire up the old camcorder for this one, and let me tell you, that thing’s been giving me trouble with the SD card slot going bad. But hey, we work with what we’ve got, right?
First Impressions: The Rojas Street Tacos Carnitas Breakdown
Let me start by giving you the specs on this stick. The Rojas Street Tacos Carnitas is a 6×50 Toro that’s wrapped in an Ecuadorian Sumatra wrapper with a Nicaraguan binder and filler. You’re looking at about $9.00 for one of these, though prices can vary depending on where you shop and whether you’re buying singles or a box.
Right off the bat, this cigar surprised me. Usually, when I do a cold draw on most cigars, they’re pretty plain – nothing special to write home about. But this Carnitas? It actually had something going on. There was this sweet tobacco taste that came through on the cold draw that was genuinely pleasant. That’s not something you get every day, and it definitely set my expectations a bit higher for what was to come.
Construction and Initial Light
Before we get into the smoking experience, let me talk about construction for a minute. Overall, this cigar is well-made, though I did notice one small issue. There’s a stem poking through the wrapper near where you’d put it in your mouth. Now, this isn’t a deal-breaker by any means – these things happen – but you do need to make sure you position that side against your lips properly. If you don’t, you’ll feel air being drawn through, which can definitely affect your smoking experience.
The light was straightforward enough, though I’ll admit I had some torch troubles of my own. Sometimes these things happen, and you just have to work with what you’ve got. I may have scorched it a little bit during the initial light, but nothing that ruined the experience.
First Third: Smooth and Mellow with Subtle Complexity
Once I got this baby lit and started smoking, I was immediately impressed by how smooth and mellow this cigar is. We’re talking about a genuinely relaxing smoke here, folks. The dominant flavor coming through was that sweet tobacco I noticed on the cold draw, and it carried through beautifully into the actual smoking experience.
But here’s where it gets interesting – there’s a subtle spice that comes through, and I spent some time trying to figure out exactly what it was. It’s definitely not pepper in the traditional sense, and it’s not over the top by any means. After smoking through the first third, I’m pretty confident it’s white pepper that I’m tasting. It adds just enough complexity to keep things interesting without overwhelming that smooth, mellow character.
The smoke volume is excellent – you get good, thick clouds that feel substantial without being harsh. The cigar has this creamy texture to the smoke that really enhances the overall experience. There’s also a nice woody undertone that pairs well with that white pepper spice I mentioned.
Burn and Performance Issues
Now, I need to be honest with you about something that happened during this smoke. We had a bit of a blowout partway through, but I’m not blaming the cigar for that one. The weather here has been absolutely wacky – we’re having a heat wave in October, and next week we’re supposed to drop down into the 50s or 40s. These extreme temperature swings can definitely affect how cigars burn, especially when you’re smoking outside.
The good news is that this cigar corrected itself. After that initial blowout, it caught back up and burned evenly for the rest of the smoke. I never had to retouch it or do any major corrections, which speaks well to the overall construction quality.
Flavor Development Through the Smoke
As I progressed through this Rojas Street Tacos Carnitas, the flavor profile remained fairly consistent, which isn’t necessarily a bad thing. This isn’t what I’d call a complex cigar – you’re not going to get a bunch of crazy flavor transitions or wild taste combinations. Instead, what you get is a straightforward, enjoyable smoking experience that delivers exactly what it promises.
The core flavors – that sweet tobacco, creamy smoke, woody undertones, and white pepper spice – stay present throughout the entire cigar. The smoke remains smooth and mellow from start to finish, making this an excellent choice for someone looking for a relaxing smoke without a lot of intensity.
The Bitter Truth: A Concerning Aftertaste
Here’s where I need to be completely honest with you, and I know some folks might not like hearing this. While the actual smoking experience is excellent – creamy, smooth, enjoyable – there’s a noticeable bitterness that comes through on the aftertaste.
This bitterness isn’t present while you’re actually smoking and have the smoke in your mouth. It’s specifically on the aftertaste, and it lingers. I spent some time trying to figure out what it reminded me of, and my best guess is that it’s similar to what you might get from a low-end Habano or a high-viso priming leaf. It’s not quite as pronounced as a full ligero, but it’s definitely in that direction.
Now, I want to be clear about something – this doesn’t make it a bad cigar. Some of you might actually enjoy that bitter finish. Taste is subjective, and what bothers me might be exactly what you’re looking for in a smoke. I’m just telling you what I experienced so you know what you’re potentially getting into.
Overall Assessment and Value
Despite that bitter aftertaste issue, this is still a solid smoking cigar. The construction is good (minor stem issue aside), the burn is reliable once it gets going, and the primary flavors are really enjoyable. For nine dollars, you’re getting a well-made stick that delivers a consistent, smooth smoking experience.
The smoke volume is excellent, the draw is perfect, and the overall experience is relaxing and enjoyable. If you can get past that bitter aftertaste – or if you’re someone who actually enjoys that kind of finish – this could definitely be a regular smoke for you.
Would I Smoke It Again?
This is always the ultimate question, isn’t it? Here’s my honest answer: I’d try it again. This was just one cigar, and it’s entirely possible that the bitterness I experienced was specific to this particular stick rather than characteristic of the blend as a whole.
If I smoked another one and still got that same bitter aftertaste, then I’d probably pass on future purchases. But if that bitterness turned out to be an anomaly, then absolutely – this would be a cigar I could see myself smoking regularly. The core smoking experience is just too good to write off based on one potentially problematic stick.
Final Thoughts on the Rojas Street Tacos Carnitas
Look, I’ll be straight with you – I’m not sure I got the name “Carnitas” significance right, and I didn’t have time to look up what it means in the context of this cigar line. But what I can tell you is that this Rojas Street Tacos Carnitas delivers a smooth, mellow, and genuinely enjoyable smoking experience with just enough complexity to keep things interesting.
The Ecuadorian Sumatra wrapper works beautifully with the Nicaraguan tobaccos, creating a blend that’s approachable for newer smokers while still offering enough character for experienced enthusiasts. At around $9.00, it sits in that sweet spot where you’re getting good value without breaking the bank.
If you’re looking for a relaxing evening smoke or something to enjoy while you’re unwinding after a long day, the Rojas Street Tacos Carnitas could definitely fit the bill. Just be aware of that potential bitter finish and decide for yourself whether it’s something you can live with.
Ready to Try the Rojas Street Tacos Carnitas?
If this review has piqued your interest in the Rojas Street Tacos Carnitas, I’d encourage you to give it a try yourself. This is an affiliate link that helps support our site while you stock your humidor with quality cigars – it’s a win-win for everyone. Every palate is different, and what I experience might be completely different from your smoking experience.
After you’ve had a chance to smoke one, come back and tell us what you think in the comments. Did you get that same bitter aftertaste? Do you think I’m completely off base with my white pepper assessment? I love hearing from fellow cigar enthusiasts, and your feedback helps make these reviews better for everyone.
Until next time, keep smoking, and hopefully, my camcorder will cooperate for the next review!
