Archive for the ‘Carlos_Torano’ Category

Torano Salutem

Monday, October 29th, 2012

Yep, you guessed it. The Torano Salutem is another release from IPCPR 2012. I ran across them at Ed’s shop the other day. Some of the regular guests there suggested I try it. As usual, I have no background on this blend. Does the Salutem deliver where it counts? Read on…

 

Wrapper: Habano Ecuador

Binder: Jalapa, Nicaragua

Filler: Cameroon, Dominican Corojo, Esteli

Size: Robusto 5 x 52

Price: Around $7.00

 

Pre-Smoke & Construction:

The wrapper was shiny and smooth, with an almost waxy appearance. The wrapper had an aroma of hay and earth, and it left a tingle in the nose. The foot was the same, but it wasn’t as strong. This cigar was packed rock solid. It had no give when squeezed. This led to a draw that was a bit too tight for my liking. The pre-light flavor was wood, hay, earthiness, and a touch of bitterness.

Once lit, the draw opened up a little, making for a much nicer smoking experience. The ash held for just over an inch, and the burn required a few minor corrections.

Apparently I forgot to take a picture of the unlit cigar. Instead, I offer you a pic of the fancy band.

0 Torano_Salutem cigars

Flavor:

The first third had a mixture of earthiness, wood, cayenne pepper, and a hint of leather. The smoke feel wasn’t particularly thick, but it was chewy, if that makes sense.

2 Torano_Salutem cigars

The second third took on a smooth smoke feel. Wood was the dominant flavor, followed by pepper, earth, and a touch of leather. A bitter sweet component joined in at around half way point.

3 Torano_Salutem cigars

The last third kept the same flavor profile as before. The only difference was in the aftertaste, which clung to the lips and tongue.

4 Torano_Salutem cigars

Conclusion:

This was a solid medium bodied cigar. The flavor profile brings one word to mind, balanced. I wasn’t wowed, but I wasn’t let down at all. There is nothing to complain about here. I think the Torano Salutem is worth a try.

Torano Master Habano Maduro

Tuesday, August 14th, 2012

I recall liking the original Torano Master, so I figured I had nothing to loose with this version. From what I can tell, the two have little in common, not that I really care. I tend to enjoy that maduro sweetness and spice. As you’ve come to expect… read on for my thoughts.

 

Wrapper: Nicaragua Habano Maduro

Binder: Habano Ecuador

Filler: Nicaraguan and Dominican

Size: Robusto 5 x 50

Price: $5.97

 

Pre-Smoke & Construction:

The wrapper looked oily, toothy, and well, delicious. I can only describe the smell as a mild hay, with a touch of earthiness. The foot basically had no odor at all. The cigar was consistently packed, and had a slight sponginess. This accounted for a draw that had no resistance. The pre-light flavor was mild, earthy, and cedary.

The burn required one correction. The ash was a little flakey, and held for just about one inch.

1 Torano_Master_Habano_Maduro cigars

Flavor:

The first third started out with earthiness, and nothing more. It only took a few puffs for pepper to reveal itself on the retrohale. Espresso quickly joined in, and it lingered on the palate for awhile. The aftertaste was crisp, slightly bitter, earthy, and maybe a little woody.

2 Torano_Master_Habano_Maduro cigars

That familiar maduro sweetness I was expecting, revealed itself in the second third. It was very noticeable, but it stood behind the espresso and peppery spice. The aftertaste was sweet and syrupy. Wispy notes of earthiness and wood were far in the background.

3 Torano_Master_Habano_Maduro cigars

The last third saw a return of that crisp, dry smoke feel. Sweetness fell to the background, and was replaced with peppery spice and espresso. Some draws reminded me of coffee, but with a sweet mocha mixed in. The flavor profile switched between the two, if that makes any sense. Did I mention smoke volume? Throughout the entire cigar, it was plentiful.

4 Torano_Master_Habano_Maduro cigars

Conclusion:

This was a good, solid, medium to full bodied cigar. I tried this same cigar in a larger ring gage, and it didn’t really satisfy me. The flavors seemed scattered and unfocused. This one was quite the opposite. Flavor, complexity, and construction, all came together nicely. Nothing bad to say here. I think the Torano Master Habano Maduro is worth trying.

Carlos Torano Vault

Sunday, April 29th, 2012

I picked up a couple Vault’s at a local shop. While chatting with @cigarmonkey43, I realized that I was never really impressed with Carlos Torano cigars in the past. But lately, I have found their stuff to be enjoyable. So without further ado, here are my thoughts on the Carlos Torano Vault.

 

Wrapper: Nicaragua

Binder: Honduras

Filler: Nicaragua

Size: Toro 6 x 50

Price: Around $7.50

 

Pre-Smoke & Construction:

The chocolaty looking wrapper glistened with oil. It just looked appetizing, and I could find no real flaws. The smell of the wrapper was sweet, earthy, and woody. The smell of the foot was a slight barnyard along with spice. The draw was a little snug for my liking, but wasn’t real bad. The pre-light flavor had a dark earthiness with a slight bitter note.

Almost immediately after lighting, the draw loosened up and was perfect. The ash held for just about an inch, and the burn required no corrections.

1 Carlos_Torano_Vault cigars

Flavor:

The first third opened up with a peppery spice. A woody, almost cedary flavor dominated. The aftertaste had a slight earthy note. Eventually a slight sweet bitterness developed and closed out this third.

2 Carlos_Torano_Vault cigars

The second third had an interesting sweetness. It wasn’t chocolate or caramel, but somewhere in between. The aftertaste was earthy, woody, and sweet. Retrohaling revealed a sweet spicy cinnamon that packed a nice zing. There may have even been notes of coffee in the background.

3 Carlos_Torano_Vault cigars

The last third was an even mixture of the flavors. Nothing really stood out over the other. Just a well balanced flavor profile. Sweetness, wood, earthiness, coffee, and that tingly cinnamon spice.

4 Carlos_Torano_Vault cigars

Conclusion:

This was a very good, solid medium to full bodied cigar. The flavor profile was complex and challenging at times. Everything just came together – Price, construction, flavor, nothing bad to report. If you are a Torano fan or not, I think this one is worth trying.

Carlos Torano-Casa Torano Maduro

Monday, August 8th, 2011

I picked up this cigar at a Torano event at St. Pete Cigar. I get varying degrees of opinions when it comes to Torano. For example, Ed doesn’t like the Single Region, but I think it is good. I figured I would give this one a try.

 

Wrapper: Connecticut Broadleaf

Binder: Nicaragua

Filler: Dominican & Nicaraguan

Size: Toro 6 1/4 x 50

Price: Around $6.00

 

Pre-Light & Construction:

Despite the horrible pictures below, the wrapper actually looked nice in person. It was a little toothy and had a few medium veins here and there. Was the wrapper naturally this dark or was dye used? I can’t say for sure, nor does it really matter… The cigar was pretty evenly and solidly packed. The wrapper had an odor of barnyard, and the foot was a mild earthiness. The pre-light draw was free, and had a sweet cedary flavor.

The ash held for just over an inch, and the burn required one correction.

1 Carlos_Torano Casa_Torano_Maduro cigars

Flavor:

The first third was kicked off with a dark woodiness. There was a faint, unidentified sweetness that joined in a shortly after lighting. When passing smoke through the nose, there was a nice peppery spice with a sweet aftertaste. After an inch in a half or so, the sweetness developed in to mocha with a nice and familiar bitter sweet aftertaste.

2 Carlos_Torano Casa_Torano_Maduro cigars

The second third pretty much picked up where the first third left off. The dominant flavor was mocha with a sweet and slightly bitter aftertaste. Woody notes lingered in the background. I am basically repeating myself… The pepper through the nose was nice and had a good zing to it. It was more like a peppery sweet spice.

3 Carlos_Torano Casa_Torano_Maduro cigars

The last third kept the same flavor profile. The only difference was the smoke feel became thicker and slightly creamy. Otherwise, copy and paste my previous comments here.

4 Carlos_Torano Casa_Torano_Maduro cigars

Conclusion:

This was a good medium bodied cigar. The flavors were common to many maduro wrapped cigars, and that isn’t a bad thing. Although the flavors were basically the same throughout the entire cigar, the delivery or complexity held my interest. Everything seemed to belong where it was. Nothing bad, nothing great either. For you maduro lovers, this should be on your list of cigars to try. I liked it.

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