Archive for the ‘master’ Category

Master by Carlos Torano

Monday, April 25th, 2011

I picked up this cigar by literally randomly buying it. While I am not a big smoker of Torano cigars, I usually give his stuff a try from time to time. I enjoyed the Single Region, so I figured why not try this one. I paired with water and here is my review of the Master by Carlos Torano.

 

Wrapper: Ecuadorian Habano

Binder: Nicaragua (Esteli)

Filler: Nicaragua (Esteli and Jalapa)

Size: Robusto 5 x 50

Price: Around $6.00

 

Pre-Smoke & Construction:

The wrapper almost had a velvety appearance, with small veins and no visible flaws. The odor off of the wrapper and foot was a fairly strong barnyard. Overall, the cigar was very well packed, with only small variations here and there. The pre-light draw had slight resistance. The pre-light draw flavor was a dark earthiness with hay.

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

1 Master_by_Carlos_Torano cigar

Flavor:

The first third had a nice black pepper that lacked harshness. That pepper was prominent when passing smoke through the nose. The dominant flavor was cedar. Behind the cedar was black coffee. After about 1.5 inches went by, the black pepper calmed down and blended well with the coffee and cedar.

2 Master_by_Carlos_Torano cigar

In the second third, the black pepper was still there and very noticeable though the nose. It also left an interesting sensation on the top of the mouth. The cedar and coffee didn’t go anywhere, and there was a sweet note mixed in with it. I couldn’t pin down anything to compare it too. The smoke feel was thicker in this third. The flavor profile just “Popped” and was very enjoyable.

3 Master_by_Carlos_Torano cigar

The last third had more of that sweet note that was mocha-ish. The woody and coffee flavors were still there, and were held together by that sweetness. Through the nose, the pepper lost some of it’s bite, but it didn’t go anywhere. There was a cinnamon type of tingle in the mouth and on the lips. The overall flavor profile was simply put together well.

4 Master_by_Carlos_Torano cigar

Conclusion:

This was a very good medium to maybe a full bodied cigar. This cigar had a great flavor profile. Everything fit together nicely. That’s the best way I can describe it. I’d strongly recommend picking up a few of these to try. I think you won’t be disappointed.

Oliva Master Blends 3

Tuesday, September 1st, 2009

I was pleased when Cigar Direct chose to send me a couple of these cigars to review. The Master Blends 3 is the third installment in the “Master Blends” series of cigars. Tobacco for this line is limited, which I imagine accounts for the higher price and limited availability. I paired up with the usual glass of water and got to the review.

 

Wrapper: Connecticut broadleaf Sun-grown

Binder: Nicaraguan Habano

Filler: Nicaraguan Ligero

Size: Robusto 5×50

Price: Around $9.00

 

Pre-smoke & Construction:

With small to medium veins, the dark sun grown wrapper had an overall rich appearance. Squeezing the cigar’s length, I found no inconsistencies. The wrapper and foot had an earthy smell with a hint of sweet spice. The pre-light draw was free, and had a smooth earthy taste.

The burn required two corrections, and the ash held for 1.5 inches. No complaints in the construction department.

1OlivaMasterBlends3 

Flavor:

The first third started with pepper. It was strong, but not over the top or harsh. After smoking about an inch, coffee notes kicked in. As if on queue, mocha flavors came minutes later to round out the first third. It was pretty cool how each flavor came in individually, as if they were being introduced.

2OlivaMasterBlends3 

Mocha, or chocolate, was the main flavor of the second third. The pepper remained but it was joined by a sweet spice. Like the first third, black coffee rounded things out. The smoke feel was dry, but not in an annoying way. I did feel the need to drink more water then I usually do.

3OlivaMasterBlends3 

The last third still held that dominant mocha flavor. Earthy notes helped to mellow out the pepper and the sweet spice. Coffee was still very noticeable like the first two thirds. The parched feeling remained, but I got used to it. Not a whole lot of change, just an enjoyable melding of flavors.

4OlivaMasterBlends3 

Conclusion:

It was interesting how the flavors introduced themselves. For the most part they held their positions in the overall picture. After some debate, I determined this was a full bodied cigar. Overall it was very enjoyable and relaxing. The only bad thing I could think of is the price. For a cigar of limited availability, I guess you have to expect that. If you want to give this cigar a try, Cigars Direct has a selection of various sizes. Any Oliva fan should at least give the Master Blends 3 a chance.

Oliva Master Blends 3

Tuesday, September 1st, 2009

I was pleased when Cigar Direct chose to send me a couple of these cigars to review. The Master Blends 3 is the third installment in the “Master Blends” series of cigars. Tobacco for this line is limited, which I imagine accounts for the higher price and limited availability. I paired up with the usual glass of water and got to the review.

 

Wrapper: Connecticut broadleaf Sun-grown

Binder: Nicaraguan Habano

Filler: Nicaraguan Ligero

Size: Robusto 5×50

Price: Around $9.00

 

Pre-smoke & Construction:

With small to medium veins, the dark sun grown wrapper had an overall rich appearance. Squeezing the cigar’s length, I found no inconsistencies. The wrapper and foot had an earthy smell with a hint of sweet spice. The pre-light draw was free, and had a smooth earthy taste.

The burn required two corrections, and the ash held for 1.5 inches. No complaints in the construction department.

1OlivaMasterBlends3 

Flavor:

The first third started with pepper. It was strong, but not over the top or harsh. After smoking about an inch, coffee notes kicked in. As if on queue, mocha flavors came minutes later to round out the first third. It was pretty cool how each flavor came in individually, as if they were being introduced.

2OlivaMasterBlends3 

Mocha, or chocolate, was the main flavor of the second third. The pepper remained but it was joined by a sweet spice. Like the first third, black coffee rounded things out. The smoke feel was dry, but not in an annoying way. I did feel the need to drink more water then I usually do.

3OlivaMasterBlends3 

The last third still held that dominant mocha flavor. Earthy notes helped to mellow out the pepper and the sweet spice. Coffee was still very noticeable like the first two thirds. The parched feeling remained, but I got used to it. Not a whole lot of change, just an enjoyable melding of flavors.

4OlivaMasterBlends3 

Conclusion:

It was interesting how the flavors introduced themselves. For the most part they held their positions in the overall picture. After some debate, I determined this was a full bodied cigar. Overall it was very enjoyable and relaxing. The only bad thing I could think of is the price. For a cigar of limited availability, I guess you have to expect that. If you want to give this cigar a try, Cigars Direct has a selection of various sizes. Any Oliva fan should at least give the Master Blends 3 a chance.

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