Cigar Review: Untamed Extreme by La Aurora

• Vitola: Robusto
• 5” x 50 ring gauge 
• MSRP $7.00
• Provided by company rep

Background

La Aurora released “Untamed” in 2014 as part of an effort to modernize the company and present a more aggressive packaging and blend. I smoked and enjoyed the Untamed, although I thought it failed somewhat to really stand up to the marketing that was put behind it. Promoted as “the most full-bodied blend ever from La Aurora,” I felt like it stayed in the medium-plus range to the end, whereas at least a couple other blends went fully into full-bodied. And while it was definitely good, it didn’t really challenge my expectations of La Aurora. Maybe it was just me that felt that way…or maybe others expressed similar concerns and that’s why 2015 brought the “Untamed Extreme.”

The original Untamed used mostly Dominican fillers, along with a bit of Nicaraguan, a Dominican binder, and a Connecticut Broadleaf wrapper. This new version uses the Broadleaf wrapper again, but the rest of the blend is undisclosed at this point. I smoked my first one of this blend at the trade show while talking to our rep; he gave me another one during Chattanooga Tweet-Up and that’s the one I saved out for this review.

Prelight

I established in my previous review that La Aurora definitely hit on the “edginess” with the artwork and band design used. Mostly it’s unchanged here, with the roaring lion seen in profile, lots of gold foil and embossing, and a wild die cut. “Untamed” is still in the main band (which i believe is identical to that used on the original release), but the foot band this time around is predominantly red and says just “Extreme.” Overall, I still like the design and the tweaked foot band does differentiate it enough for consumers to know what they are getting.

What I could see of the wrapper leaf with the two bands on showed it to be rough, oily and veins. The color was dark chocolate brown and the aroma from the wrapper was dark earth and leather. The foot gave off some lighter earthy notes, a touch of wood and a bit of hay. The cold draw had notes of dry earth, cocoa powder, and dark roast coffee.

Flavor

The Untamed Extreme started off with up-front flavors of semi-sweet chocolate and espresso bean, with earth and graham cracker notes just beneath. Pepper was evident a bit on the back of the palate, but mostly on the nose, where it was a burning red pepper. The body was medium-to-full at the start, with pronounced and well-defined flavors. I have to admit to not smoking the regular Untamed all that much since it came out, but this Extreme version does seem to be more bold and fuller of flavor and body. As I got about 10 minutes into the cigar, I noted a strong anise note show up.

The anise flavor actually became one of the primary flavors during the second third, about equal with a dark earthiness, while the chocolate and coffee notes took secondary status and the graham cracker went away completely. The pepper burn continued a bit on the palate and more on the nose.

The last third of the Untamed Extreme was dominated by more dark flavors of anise and earth, delivered in a thick, oily, full-bodied smoke.

Construction

Great draw, solid ash and very even burn line meant excellent construction for me.

Value

Like the original Untamed, the price on this Extreme version is very fair.

Conclusions

While the first Untamed didn’t live up to the hype, in my opinion, this Extreme variant was definitely the most full-bodied cigar that I’ve smoked to issue forth from the La Aurora factory. It was strong and smoky, with lots of flavor. I have to say the “extreme” amounts of anise and earth in the profile weren’t quite my preference, but there will definitely be some big fans of it and it may well capture some of the younger smokers looking for that elusive “edgier” smoking experience.

By-The-Numbers

Prelight: 2/2
Construction: 2/2
Flavor: 3.5/5
Value: 1/1
Total: 8.5/10