Carlos & Maria Amorio

These cigars are part of a series by the Freud Cigar Company, which was founded in 2022. Sigmund Freud, the founder of psychoanalysis, was one of the most influential thinkers of the 19th and early 20th centuries. His portrait holding a cigar, shot from a slight side angle, is among the most iconic images of him. Freud was a well-known cigar enthusiast and is said to have smoked around 20 cigars a day—he reportedly once described it as “displaced masturbation.” Well, I wouldn’t go that far, but he was chosen as the namesake for this venture because the association with cigars is nearly automatic when people hear his name.

Freud Cigar Company: Cigars With a Psychoanalytic Background

He’s also credited with the quote “Sometimes a cigar is just a cigar,” which I’d readily agree with. Sometimes, a lit cigar in the middle of a lively conversation is just a burning bundle of leaves—and not the centerpiece. Speaking of centerpieces—let’s get back to the cigars featured here! The brand was founded by David Stadnyk and Luis Torres. Torres previously served as CEO of the cigar lounge and retail chain Casa de Montecristo in the U.S. On our trips to the States, we visited many of these shops—they’re major competitors of the Zigarren International Super Stores, owned by the Danish company STG.

Tabacalera El Maestro & William Ventura: Quality From the Dominican Republic

The cigars by Carlos & Maria Amorio obscure their origins a bit—you’ll hardly find any reference to the Freud Cigar Company on the boxes, even though it is part of Agape Lifestyle Inc.. The plan seems to be to expand the brand into other segments in the future, such as spirits. They are produced in the Dominican Republic by Wiber Ventura at his Tabacalera El Maestro, which is considered a smaller sister factory of the Tabacalera William Ventura. The wrapper is a dark leaf from Ecuador, the binder is a Sumatra from Indonesia. The filler blend includes a Nicaraguan Seco, a Viso from Ecuador, as well as a Dominican San Vicente Ligero and a Viso Criollo 98.

Carlos & Maria Amorio: Dominican Cigar Craft With Mysterious Branding

Other lines from Tabacalera William Ventura include, for example, the Robert Caldwell cigars. I’m lighting up a Robusto now—let’s see how this (pun incoming) prelude to the sister cigar Carlos & Maria Limited Edition Orgasmo tastes. The first impression is very good: the cigar is firm and densely rolled, with a slightly glossy, (in a good way) oily-bacon-like appearance. During the first few puffs, a light and pleasant creaminess develops, lasting well into the final third. The Amorio Robusto never becomes truly strong but remains broad, complex, and intriguing throughout. Setting the price aside, I’d happily light one of these up again anytime!