Welcome to my review of the Aladino 85 Aniversario Reserva Toro.
I won’t hide the fact that I have a particular fondness for the cigar I’m reviewing today. Even if that affection ends up coloring my judgment ever so slightly, so be it. The story of how this cigar found its way into my humidor is one worth telling.
So, here’s how I came to own it.
How the Aladino 85 Aniversario Reserva Toro Found Its Way into My Humidor
One day, while browsing the internet in search of new cigars to explore, I came across the Aladino 85 Aniversario Reserva. It immediately caught my attention, but it didn’t take long to discover that it wasn’t available in Poland.
Since I know Szymon Kwiatkowski personally, I decided to send him a quick message asking whether there was any chance the cigar would eventually make its way into the Polish market. After all, Premium Cigar is the official distributor, so who better to ask?
His reply wasn’t what I expected.
Instead of an answer, my phone lit up with a photo. It showed a large Aladino sign overlooking a swimming pool, surrounded by lush tropical greenery that was unmistakably not Poland.
„Are you in Honduras?” I asked.
„Yes,” Szymon replied. „I’m just heading to breakfast with Justo.”
I have to admit, my first reaction was a twinge of envy. That was quickly replaced by a smile—and then a laugh. It was probably the last response I expected when I sent that message.
We exchanged a few more texts before I wished him a great trip and a wonderful stay in what many cigar enthusiasts would happily call paradise. Since I’d had the pleasure of meeting Justo Eiroa in person, I also asked Szymon to pass along my regards.
A little later, another message arrived—one that genuinely caught me by surprise.
Szymon told me that Justo had returned the greeting and that Justo had something for me.
As it turned out, Justo Eiroa had sent me an Aladino 85 Aniversario Reserva as a gift. Even more touching was the small handwritten note tucked inside the package from Honduras: „Greetings from Justo.”
It’s difficult to put into words how much that gesture meant to me. Who would have thought that one day I’d not only meet Justo Eiroa, interview him, and spend time talking cigars, but also receive one of his family’s cigars as a personal gift, complete with a short dedication?
And that’s how this cigar found its way into my humidor.
Every cigar has a story. This one simply happens to be a little more personal.
Aladino 85 Aniversario Reserva Toro
As I mentioned earlier, today’s cigar is a commemorative release created to celebrate Julio Eiroa’s 85th birthday. Julio, the patriarch of the Eiroa family and the driving force behind Aladino, is widely regarded as one of the most influential figures in modern Honduran cigar making.
I once read that the project had originally been intended to mark his 80th birthday. According to the story, however, Julio decided the blend simply wasn’t ready. Whether entirely accurate or not, the anecdote perfectly reflects the uncompromising approach to quality that has defined the Eiroa family for decades. Rather than rushing a celebratory release to market, they waited until the cigar met their expectations.
The Aladino 85 Aniversario Reserva officially debuted at the 2025 PCA Convention & Trade Show. Like every Aladino, it is a Honduran puro, crafted exclusively from tobacco grown in Honduras.
What truly sets this cigar apart, however, is the tobacco itself. The blend is built entirely around Pinareño, one of the rarest Cuban seed varietals still cultivated today.
So, what makes Pinareño so special?
Named after Cuba’s famed Pinar del Río region, this historic varietal was once prized for its elegance and aromatic complexity. Over time, however, it largely disappeared from commercial production due to the challenges it presents in the field. Pinareño is notoriously susceptible to disease, produces relatively low yields, and requires exceptional care throughout cultivation and processing.
The Eiroa family has built its reputation on preserving historic tobacco varietals, most notably Authentic Corojo, but Pinareño represents an even more ambitious undertaking.
The word Reserva on the band is equally significant. In this case, it isn’t simply a marketing term—it reflects the careful selection of tobacco and the family’s willingness to release the blend only when they believed it had reached its full potential.
The line is currently offered in two vitolas:
- Robusto (5 × 50),
- Toro (6 × 52).
For this review, I’ll be focusing on the Toro.
A Few Technical Notes
The cigar reviewed here is the Toro, measuring 6 inches (152 mm) with a 52-ring gauge—a classic Toro by any standard, and one of my favorite formats.
At first glance, the wrapper is on the lighter side of the spectrum, presenting an attractive, silky appearance that immediately invites a closer look. As mentioned earlier, the cigar is a Honduran puro, with the wrapper, binder, and filler all sourced from Honduran-grown tobacco.
The presentation is equally refined. Two bands adorn the cigar, both finished in Aladino’s signature yellow with elegant gold accents. The primary band carries the familiar Aladino branding, while the secondary band proudly bears the 85 Aniversario Reserva designation, commemorating the occasion behind the blend.
The overall presentation feels tasteful and understated—elegant without being ostentatious. It’s exactly what I would expect from an anniversary release, with every design element complementing the cigar rather than competing for attention.
The Cut
For this review, I opted for a straight cut. Before making it, however, I gave the cigar one last pre-light inspection.
The wrapper offered a subtle but inviting aroma, with notes of coffee and cedar taking the lead. It wasn’t particularly expressive, but it was clean, balanced, and pleasantly refined.
After making the cut, I found the draw to be excellent—right where I like it, offering just enough resistance to suggest an effortless smoke ahead.
The cold draw echoed the pre-light aromas, bringing notes of cedar and a touch of coffee. What caught me off guard, however, was a subtle saline quality that lingered on the lips. It was an unusual but intriguing detail, hinting that this cigar might have more to offer than first impressions suggested.
With my curiosity thoroughly piqued, it was time to put a flame to the foot.
The Light
I took my time to evenly toast the foot with a jet flame lighter before bringing the cigar to life with a series of short, gentle draws. Once it was burning evenly, I set it down for a brief moment to let it settle before beginning the tasting.
The opening draws greeted me with the flavor of lightly acidic coffee, soon joined by a distinct mineral character. As the cigar found its rhythm, a smooth creaminess gradually emerged, eventually becoming one of the defining elements of the profile.
There was also a subtle citrus brightness woven throughout the smoke, adding freshness and keeping the palate engaged. Just when the profile seemed to settle into a gentle, creamy rhythm, a touch of pepper arrived—not to dominate, but to do exactly what pepper does in a well-balanced dish: enhance the flavors around it.
Toward the end, the profile shifted once again, this time revealing a pleasant nuttiness that reminded me of sweet almonds, providing an elegant finish to the experience.
Strength & Body
In terms of strength, the cigar falls comfortably in the mild-to-medium range. While it opens on the gentler side, it quickly settles into a consistent medium profile and remains there through the remainder of the smoke.
Aroma & Smoke
The cigar produces generous amounts of fragrant smoke with a wonderfully creamy character. Beneath that creamy sweetness lies just enough spice to add definition and keep the profile lively without ever becoming aggressive.
Construction & Burn
Construction proved to be excellent throughout the smoking experience. The burn line remained remarkably straight for the vast majority of the cigar, requiring only a minor touch-up near the very end. Overall, it was an effortless smoke with a dependable draw and burn—exactly what I’ve come to expect from Aladino.
Final Thoughts on the Aladino 85 Aniversario Reserva Toro
I had a good feeling about this cigar from the very beginning—and it didn’t disappoint.
I’m fully aware that the circumstances surrounding how it came into my possession may have influenced my perception to some extent. Even so, I did my best to approach this review with an open mind. Judging by the handwritten notes in my cigar journal, I would have reached the same conclusion regardless: this is an outstanding cigar.
One of its greatest strengths is undoubtedly the tobacco itself. The use of Pinareño isn’t merely an interesting wrapper choice or a small component of the blend—it’s the very foundation of the cigar. That alone makes the 85 Aniversario Reserva a fascinating project, especially for enthusiasts who appreciate historic tobacco varietals and the stories behind them.
As my first experience with Pinareño, I honestly couldn’t have asked for a better introduction. Saying that it tastes „Cuban” might be overstating the case, but there’s an unmistakable elegance to the profile that feels reminiscent of the classic style many cigar lovers associate with Cuba. Whether that’s the varietal speaking or simply my own interpretation, I’ll leave for you to decide.
Interestingly, while I was writing this review, Szymon sent me a link to his article about Pinareño. As I reached the end of it, I discovered that the Aladino 85 Aniversario Reserva had officially arrived in Poland. That news genuinely made me smile—I had originally written that I hoped the cigar would eventually become available here, otherwise I’d have to find another way to get more. Needless to say, I was more than happy to revise that part.
I know one thing for certain: I’d love to revisit this blend in the Robusto vitola. If the Toro is any indication of what Pinareño is capable of, it’s a cigar well worth experiencing.
My sincere thanks go to Justo Eiroa of Aladino Cigars for the generous gift, and to Szymon Kwiatkowski of Premium Cigars, whose passion and dedication have a remarkable way of making the seemingly impossible become reality.
If you enjoyed reading this, let me know! Drop a comment or share the post – every bit of support helps others discover my cigar reviews and smoking tips. If you prefer to listen, I co-host a podcast with Piotr Siwiński called „Spotkanie z Dymem” („A Meeting with Smoke”) – currently in Polish, though who knows what the future holds? You can also find me on Instagram, where I share a slice of my cigar life – and a bit more. I always welcome a good conversation. That’s how great connections start – and they often go far beyond just cigars.
Stay smoky!
Mateusz Krzywiecki, @mateusz.krzywiecki, Polski Aficionado, @polskiaficionado
