La Aroma de Cuba Pasion Review

It was a bright, easygoing afternoon, the kind where you sneak a break from work just to recharge. I had just finished reviewing the La Aroma de Cuba Mi Amor a few days prior, a familiar favorite that never disappoints, so reviewing this one next just made sense. 

With the band from that smoke still on the table, I couldn’t wait any longer to try the Pasión Robusto. I’d heard the chatter: different blend, different vibe, this time a Nicaraguan puro with a shade-grown wrapper Pepin and Jaime Garcia nurtured on their own farms.

Mi Amor’s Mexican San Andrés wrapper gives it that cocoa-and-spice sweetness I know so well. But Pasión? This was supposed to be earthier, nuttier, and a touch brighter thanks to that Nicaraguan shade-grown leaf.

I was curious, could Pasión carve out its own identity, or would it feel like Mi Amor’s sibling in different clothes? Only one way to find out.

The Breakdown

• Profile: Medium-Full

• Wrapper: Nicaraguan Shade-Grown (Garcia family estates)

• Binder: Nicaraguan

• Filler: Nicaraguan (three family estates)

• Factory: My Father Cigars, Nicaragua

• Sizes Available: Robusto (5"×50), Churchill (7" × 49), Marveloso (Toro 6" × 52), Torpedo (6.1" × 54), Encanto (Gordo 6" × 60)

• Notable Feature: Blended by José “Pepin” and Jaime Garcia for Ashton’s La Aroma de Cuba line

• Price Point: Typically $10–12 per single, $260 - 280 per box for a box of 25

Heritage & Awards

La Aroma de Cuba has always been Ashton’s canvas for the Garcia family’s terroir-driven artistry. Grown on plots shielded from direct sunlight in a unique microclimate, the Pasión wrapper shows off the region’s untapped potential.

The Garcias recognized that Nicaraguan soil could deliver world-class shade-grown leaf, and Pepin’s unwavering dedication proves it. For fans of Ashton cigars, this blend is a masterclass in terroir. Its 94-point rating from Cigar Aficionado was spot on, proving that Pepin and Jaime weren’t phoning this one in.

Appearance & First Impressions

This bad boy is double-banded with rich gold embossing; the secondary band pairs perfectly with the main one. The stunning shade-grown wrapper has a silky sheen, minimal veins, and gives off subtle wood notes and sweet molasses at the foot. In hand, it feels substantial, firm yet springy.

A straight cut revealed an effortless cold draw with initial hints of raisin and nougat, promising an enjoyable start before the cigar begins its story. Those first whiffs already hinted at profound notes of cedar and baking spice that made me eager to dive in.

First Third – Smoked Cashew and Cedar Warm-Up

As the cigar begins, the first third comes alive quickly: black pepper on the retrohale, smoked cashews, cedar, and a gentle sweetness like nougat. The flavor profile feels balanced, nothing overpowering, just distinct flavors playing well together.

Thick, creamy smoke and a razor-sharp burn line make for an easy, no-drama start. This is the point where I knew I was in for a good time. 

Second Third – Leather and Molasses Layer

The second third is where the Pasión really hits its stride. Leather takes the lead while the flavor profile deepens with molasses and hints of baking spice.

The first two thirds of this cigar featured transitions that felt natural. The draw stayed wide open, and even as I worked through the bottom half, I didn’t need any touch-ups. A sip of bourbon here made the taste pop, nutty, sweet, and a little spicy all at once.

Final Third – Bold Spice and Cedar Finish

In the final third, the black pepper returned with a little more bite, mingling with cedar and earth. A subtle mineral undertone made me think about the Garcia farms’ fertile black soils.

The smoke stayed cool even as I neared the band, no harshness, just enjoyable flavors right to the nub.

Construction and Burn Performance

The La Aroma de Cuba Pasión I smoked had great construction: good draw, consistent burn, and tight ash. Pepin’s rolling team proves once again why My Father Cigars is trusted for flawless craftsmanship.

Price & Value of the La Aroma De Cuba Pasión

At around $10–12, the Pasión delivers premium performance without breaking the bank. It’s comfortably medium strength, edging only slightly towards full body, which makes it approachable yet exciting.

Its taste notes make it special enough for celebrations but affordable enough to become a regular in your humidor. Compared to other medium-full Nicaraguan cigars, it overdelivers on flavor and consistency.

This just proves that the finest tobaccos don’t always have to come at a boutique price.

Final Thoughts: La Aroma De Cuba Pasión Robusto

I was pleasantly surprised by how balanced and complex this stick stayed from start to finish. The Nicaragua binder and filler combo clearly works magic here, delivering its medium-full body without a harsh edge. The black pepper kick that returned in the last third mingled with cedar and earth, rounding out an exceptional flavor. Pair it with bourbon, a malty porter, or black coffee, and you’ll get a taste of why the Pasión earns its praise.

For me, the Pasión captures everything I love about the Garcia family, blending passion, precision, and flavor that sticks with you. Crafted at My Father Cigars’ Nicaragua factory with Nicaragua filler and binder, it delivers a satisfying smoking experience that stands apart from Mi Amor.

The Garcias recognized early on that Nicaraguan soil could rival the world’s best, and Pasión proves it. This isn’t Mi Amor’s understudy; it’s a shining example in Ashton’s portfolio and proof that tobacco plants thrive when cared for with unwavering dedication and an eye for extravagant spice, which showed through in the last third.

Ratings Breakdown

A rock-solid 9.0, exactly where a Garcia-crafted Nicaraguan puro belongs among the 90+ greats

A consistent La Aroma de Cuba Pasión Robusto that proves why this line belongs in the humidor of every fan of Pepin Garcia’s blending legacy and the La Aroma de Cuba brand.

Buy La Aroma de Cuba Pasión Cigars

Shop La Aroma de Cuba Pasión cigars today at After Action Cigars and discover why this medium-full Nicaraguan puro is winning over aficionados everywhere.