My Father La Duena Review: An Underrated Tribute Worth Revisiting

 

While visiting New Jersey with my dad for the FIFA Club World Cup, I stopped by a local cigar shop and picked up a My Father Sampler Pack—and I’m glad I did. First off, the prices compared to Toronto were almost half (mostly thanks to taxes), so I was already feeling like I scored a win before even lighting up.

One cigar that really stood out from that pack was the My Father La Duena, a stick that often flies under the radar but carries some deep meaning and flavour.

A Cigar Made to Honour Janny Garcia

According to the My Father website, “For many years Janny Garcia has worked side by side with her father Don Pepin Garcia and her brother Jaime Garcia, in building the family company. After honouring Don Pepin with the My Father Cigar and Jaime with the Jaime Garcia Reserva Especial, the time has come for La Duena (meaning ‘female owner’) to receive her own tribute.” Blended by Jaime Garcia and Pete Johnson of Tatuaje Cigars, La Duena is a fitting tribute and a cigar that reflects Janny’s unique place in the My Father family legacy.

Originally released in 2012, La Duena sometimes gets overshadowed by the brand’s more high-profile blends, but it certainly holds its own.

Cigar Specs:

• Wrapper: Connecticut Broadleaf

• Binder: Connecticut Broadleaf & Nicaragua (Dual)

• Filler: Connecticut Broadleaf & Nicaragua

• Length: 5″

• Ring Gauge: 50

• Size: Robusto

• Strength: Medium

The cigar is visually striking, featuring a flawless dark chocolate-colored broadleaf wrapper that’s rolled to perfection. However, one knock against it is the band—it’s plain and a bit dull. A cameo-style band could’ve used more sculpting or texture to elevate the look. That said, we’re here for what’s inside.

The First Third: Smooth and Subtle

Once the cigar is toasted and lit, the initial draw reveals a muted version of the classic My Father spice. It’s not overpowering and gives room for notes of coffee, leather, and a faint hint of dark chocolate to emerge. On the retrohale, there’s some black pepper, but it fades fairly quickly, letting the smoothness of the profile shine.

The Second Third: Earth and Leather Dominate

As we move into the second third, the cigar becomes a bit more straightforward. The complexity from the first third pulls back, giving way to dominant notes of earth and leather. The retrohale still carries some subdued pepper, which starts to become more noticeable on the palate right around the halfway point. Still flavorful, but less layered.

The Final Third: Sweetness Returns

In the final third, brown sugar sneaks into the profile, adding a bit of sweetness to round things out. The earth and leather remain but become more balanced, allowing for a smoother finish. The pepper disappears from the palate but still lingers through the nostrils on the retrohale. Despite the deep flavours, the cigar stays medium in both strength and body.

Final Thoughts:

La Duena reminds me a lot of the Series JJ Maduro or Centurion in terms of strength and character. It’s a cigar that doesn’t demand the spotlight but deserves a place in the humidor. With a flavour profile that evolves, a smooth draw, and a price that makes it accessible, this cigar should be part of your regular rotation.

It may not be the flashiest cigar in the My Father lineup, but La Duena delivers a rich and memorable experience, especially with a good cup of coffee or as a relaxing evening smoke.