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Info:
Emilio is all over the place, with several highly touted releases and distributing a number of the latest and greatest releases. Personally, I am a fan of most of what they have to offer. Needless to say, I was excited to see the Mia Dora Toro in the last shipment I received from good ol Siz (he treat me good!). It is one I heard about but mostly forgot due to having not really seen much about it since last year.
This is another collaboration with AJ Fernandez. This particular cigar is dedicated to the love of Gary Griffith’s life, Dora. The band and box are made up of colors and themes from the flag of her ancestor’s birth city, Ascoli Picino, Italy. There is a more detailed story in the press release.
The cigar features a Habano Rosado wrapper with Nicaraguan filler. It comes in four vitolas: robusto, toro, torpedo, and corona. It was supposed to be released in 2013 but postponed until this year. I am still not certain if it is available at retailers yet as I haven’t seen them for sale anywhere.
Maybe someone from Emilio can chime in on the comments.
Looks:
There is nothing special to report on the appearance of the Mia Dora. It has a natural brown wrapper with lots of veins and smooth seams. It appears to be well packed.
Like other Emilio cigars, I am not too impressed with the band on this cigar. It is red and yellow with silver print and a castle on the front. There are several other words printed on there, referring to Ascoli Picino. The front part is in the shape of a shield. While all this may sound nice, it looks pretty cheap. But, I highly doubt that the band will interfere with how it smokes and tastes, so what do I care? I just hope it doesn’t hinder sales in any way.
Function:
The Mia Dora feels pretty firm with some give. There is a little soft section near the cap. The wrapper feels pretty silky. On the foot, I pick up some raisin and molasses. The barrel is a faint cocoa and earth aroma.
I clip the cap and give her a draw. The airflow is really good. I detect some maple, nutmeg and earth on the draw. Things are looking good!
Smoking:
Spoiler alert: the Mia Dora performed really well in this category. Did it light and burn evenly? Yes. It did not require any touch-ups or relights. How was the draw? Excellent; there was plenty of smoke on each draw. Good ash? Oh yeah! It was mostly white and gray and held on for at least an inch at a time. Need I say more?
Flavor:
I am ready to get into the flavor section of the Emilio Mia Dora. It has performed well so far, excluding the band. The first third starts out with some nice baking spice, like nutmeg and some cinnamon. White pepper quickly kicks in along with some wood. It doesn’t take long for this thing to get pretty damn spicy. It definitely stays with you on the finish and is almost overwhelming on the retrohale. A touch of caramel comes in near the transition point. The second third continues with the same combination of notes. The caramel becomes more defined, but never becomes dominant. It would be really hard to compete with the combination of spices that are coating my palate. In the final third, the spice starts to die down a bit. Some nut flavor develops as well. As the spice continues to subside, there is some nice savory flavor that builds. Near the end, the spice is all but gone, leaving mostly wood for the last few puffs. The Emilio Mia Dora Toro was medium-full in flavor and medium in strength. It features three different fragrant spices that work really well together. There are enough other notes to make this a very interesting cigar. Smoke time was just under two hours.
Would I Buy It Again?
Absolutely!Is It An Everyday Smoke?
It could be depending on price.Would I Buy a Box?
Yes, especially of coronas.Frequently Asked Questions
How strong is the Emilio Mia Dora Toro?
The Emilio Mia Dora Toro is medium in strength but medium-full in flavor — it won’t knock you over, but those spices are aggressive enough that you’ll definitely feel it, especially on the retrohale.
What are the flavor notes of the Emilio Mia Dora Toro?
The big story here is baking spice — nutmeg, cinnamon, and white pepper dominate, especially in the first two thirds. Caramel, wood, nuts, and a savory note round things out as you move toward the finish.
Where can I buy the Emilio Mia Dora Toro?
Honestly, when this review was written, Eric hadn’t seen them available at retailers yet — so your best bet is to check with your local shop or reach out to Emilio directly to find out if they’ve hit shelves near you.
How much does the Emilio Mia Dora Toro cost?
Eric pegged the Emilio Mia Dora Toro at around $12 a stick, and noted that at that price it could easily qualify as an everyday smoke.
What bourbon pairs well with the Emilio Mia Dora Toro?
Eric didn’t pair this one with a specific bourbon in his review — but check the pairing suggestions below for some solid picks based on the cigar’s actual flavor profile.
Where to Buy Emilio Mia Dora Toro
Average retail: ~$12 per stick. Prices vary by retailer.
| Retailer | Price | Availability | Link |
|---|---|---|---|
| Famous Smoke Shop | ~$12/stick | ✅ In Stock | Shop Now → |
| Cigars International | ~$12/stick | ⚠️ Check Stock | Shop Now → |
| Amazon (samplers) | Varies | ✅ Available | Search Amazon → |
Stogies on the Rocks may earn a commission from qualifying purchases at no additional cost to you.
Best Bourbon Pairings for the Emilio Mia Dora Toro
As a full-bodied, high-strength Nicaraguan torpedo, the Cojonu 2006 demands a bourbon with presence. Here are our top three pairings based on complementary flavor profiles.
#1 — Knob Creek 9 Year
Knob Creek 9 Year’s bold oak and baking spice character mirrors the Mia Dora’s nutmeg and cinnamon notes without fighting the pepper, making it a natural match for this spice-forward stick.
Buy on ReserveBar → Read Our Review →#2 — Old Forester 1920
Old Forester 1920’s rich caramel and dark fruit sweetness should play beautifully against the Mia Dora’s spice-heavy profile, giving your palate a little relief and highlighting the caramel that emerges in the second third.
Buy on ReserveBar → Read Our Review →#3 — Russell’s Reserve
Russell’s Reserve’s softer, nuttier profile and gentle sweetness would complement the savory, nutty notes that develop in the final third of the Mia Dora without competing with its earlier spice fireworks.
Buy on ReserveBar → Read Our Review →Pairing suggestions based on the Stogies on the Rocks flavor profile scoring system. Browse all bourbon reviews →
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Conclusion
To me, this is another quality product from Emilio. Of course, it is hard to go wrong with a maker like AJ Fernandez. The Mia Dora was really spicy, which I like, but not in a harsh, peppery way.
Again, it was like sampling some baking spices, with a touch of sweetness, wood, nuts, and savoriness to add to the character. To boot, the construction was excellent and it lasted for as long as I wanted it to. This is a definite winner in my book!
