Brand: Ashton                           Country:  Nicaragua
   Size: 7 x 58                           Wrapper:  Connecticut Broadleaf
 Price: $8.00 (Buy)

The Label Factor:

No surprises here — I love the label on the El Jefe just like I love the labels on all of the La Aroma De Cuba cigars.  All of the cigars in this line have a really great, old-time classic cigar look.  While many other brands have taken their labels in a more modern, sleek direction, Ashton seems to have maintained the classic style here and it serves these cigars very well.

What We Liked:

The El Jefe, which probably translates roughly to “The Jeef”, is a very visually and physically appealing cigar.  Pick this big boy up and you’ll immediately notice the solid construction with only a few prominent veins.  There is something very appealing to smoking such a substantial cigar.  Because of the size, I would call this the perfect golf cigar.  You could probably enjoy the Jeef for a good 12 holes — it’s a long smoke.

The Jeef was not only pleasing to the eyes and hands, but also to the palate. This is a mellow, medium-bodied cigar that kicks off with a fairly generic earthy flavor. Because of how mild it is, you won’t get a whole lot of strong flavors out of this cigar. Towards the end I did get a prominent cocoa flavor that lasted through the finish.  Again, not amazing flavors throughout, but definitely a smooth, enjoyable experience.

When you get 70 degree weather in the middle of November, it is difficult not to grab a cigar like El Jefe to take advantage of the sunshine.  This will certainly keep you outside for a while, enjoying the sun with a nice beverage and a good stick.

What We Didn’t Like:

I can’t help but compare the El Jefe to other cigars in the La Aroma De Cuba line, such as the Mi Amor Reserva, and it is here where the stick fumbles a bit.  The Reserva brings more to the table in flavor and complexity and the Mi Amor is even better than that. In a way, the Jeef is like Godfather III — just no way it is going to live up to the others in the line.

Should You Try/Buy It:

Yes, definitely.  Even with the massive vitola, this is a perfect cigar for a beginner smoker. With the Jeef, you can experience something not too powerful, but also with non-offensive, simple flavors.  It’s really a good cigar for when you want to spend most of your day outside.  While this may not become a staple of my humidor, I will definitely grab a few next time I’m hitting the links.

Interested in trying the La Aroma De Cuba El Jefe? You can buy it here.

Overall: