| .A.R. White cigar is the initial release from George A. | | | | splendor becomes evident with a slight roil of the |
| Rico, a master blender known for working on Gran | | | | stomach and an exhilarating head rush. |
| Habano cigars such as the 3 Siglos series at his | | | | Finally, it is in the third section that the familiar cedar |
| family’s small factory in Danli, Honduras. This | | | | and leathery notes become ascendant, although the |
| cigar is also Rico’s first box-pressed stick. | | | | tinge of spiciness has become more of a faint flavor |
| At first glance, the G.A.R. is a deep rich, oily brown | | | | of ginger and pears which hangs on until a finish |
| cigar with a tinge of auburn—just what | | | | unmarred by harshness or bitterness of any kind. |
| you’d expect from an Ecuadorian Corojo | | | | The G.A.R. continues to release a cloud of smoke, |
| wrapper. With its location at the foot of the cigar, | | | | potent, yet sweet and aromatic, even while resting. |
| the band captures your attention with almost | | | | Like other box-pressed cigars, the ash isn’t |
| military-style black stenciled lettering on it, combined | | | | particularly strong. Though the burn has been |
| with a crest of some kind on the back, also in black. | | | | phenomenal through the first two thirds of the cigar, |
| Pre-light, the G.A.R.’s wrapper has a very | | | | it was marred twice in the final stretch, necessitating |
| slight semi-sweet cedar smell, and the foot has an | | | | two relights. |
| aroma of floral accents with just a hint of cumin. | | | | The G.A.R. White Label suitably impresses; George |
| Though described on the Gran Habano site as | | | | Rico has maintained his reputation as a premiere third |
| “rich with roasted coffee flavors supported | | | | generation tobacconist with this initial release. The |
| by a creamy core of tasty tobacco flavors,” | | | | medium-bodied sweet flavor that gradually |
| upon lighting the first draw produces a cloud of | | | | strengthens into the strong full-bodied flavors as the |
| flavorful smoke with a sweet maple taste. | | | | smoke continues smooth and creamy really serves to |
| The subtle floral notes continue in tandem with the | | | | make the strength of this cigar a little deceptive. The |
| sweetness that morphs into more of a toffee or | | | | G.A.R. is not for the unprepared beginner, the early |
| caramel flavor through the first third of the cigar as | | | | morning, nor an empty stomach. |
| the G.A.R. White Label settles into its characteristic | | | | Also of note, the G.A.R. White Label produces a |
| smooth creaminess. A bit of piquant spice with hints | | | | gargantuan blow—the smoke billows out a |
| of cedar comes forth and tarries with the pleasant | | | | mountainous cloud just resting in the ashtray, and |
| aroma of the G.A.R. White Label cigar. | | | | gives you a vast mouthful with each pull! When all is |
| It isn’t until the end of the second third that | | | | said and smoked, George A. Rico has entered the |
| this cigar really comes into its full strength. As the | | | | fray with a fine cigar when he released the G.A.R. |
| sweetness lessens, the toffee becomes inundated | | | | White Label--enough so as to make his next release |
| with the familiar flavors of cedar and leather, though | | | | an anticipated pleasure. |
| the faint floral tones remain as the full-bodied | | | | |