The Cuba Aliados brand may not be top of mind for newcomers to the cigar hobby, but the cigars were a favorite for those seeking a Honduran smoking experience with an old-school Cuban-like profile during the cigar boom of the '90s.

Breathing new life into the brand, J. Cortes Cigars (parent company of Oliva Cigars) purchased Cuba Aliados from the Reyes family in 2021. This led to the brand's refresh one year later, introducing two dramatically different cigars with the unique approach of partnering with two of the most acclaimed cigar families in the business. The regular-production version is Cuba Aliados Original Blend, which is a Honduran puro made by the Eiroas at their facilities in Honduras. The second cigar is dubbed Cuba Aliados by Ernesto Perez-Carrillo, showcasing a limited edition made by EPC Cigar Co. at their famed factory in the Dominican Republic.

What does the Cuba Aliados by Ernesto Perez-Carrillo cigar taste like?

Made by hall-of-famer Ernesto Perez-Carrillo, the Cuba Aliados by Ernesto Perez-Carrillo cigar makes use of Carrillo's signature wrapper style: Ecuadorian Sumatra. This red-hued cover leaf surrounds a Nicaraguan binder and fillers from Nicaragua and the DR. This amounts to a medium-bodied smoking experience, showing off fine-tuned complexities of citrus, cinnamon, classic leather, and semi-sweet chocolate through the finish.