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Cigar Review: Carlos Torano Master Blend

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Torano Master

Months ago, Torano Cigars gifted me with a few blends, including the Vault, Torano 50 Year, the Master Blend and Master Maduro. So I sat down outside on a chilly night (hence the gloves) and smoked the Master Blend. I was blown away both times I smoked this cigar, and have been consistently disappointed to not find it in cigar shops in New York.

Blend Specifics

Size: Robusto (5 x 50)

Wrapper: Ecuadorian Habano

Binder: Nicaragua (Esteli)

Filler: Nicaragua (Esteli & Jalapa)

Appearance & Construction

The Torano Master has flawless construction. It features a rich, silky brown wrapper, and a simple but pleasing band with cream white and black.  Off the foot, I get a punch of sweet cedar, nuts, coffee, and spice. Delightful. So strong is the aroma, and complex but distinct.

Flavor & Smoke Characteristics

When I light this stick up, I am greeted with a free draw and loads of smoke. The smoke is medium bodied, with lots of spice across my pallet. Notes of bitter chocolate, wood, and progressively sweeter flavor are apparent. A slight cream texture is present when my nose encounters the wrapper.

This cigar has excellent balance, really fantastic. The retrohale is very spicy, adding a nice contrast to the external smoke. The ash is snow white and very attractive.

I’m just going to take a moment to note, this is a sipping cigar. Don’t devour this thing like a 2 buck cigar or you will miss a lot of flavors.

At the two third mark, this cigar starts to feel like a solid full-bodied stick. The retrohale is no joke. Not spice, just strength.

At halfway, the cedar notes drops neatly, and raisins, white pepper and other subtle notes take its place. You can probably tell I’m really enjoying this cigar.

During the final third, this stick comes roaring back with coffee, leather, and black pepper. It ends silky smooth, and I almost shed a tear that it is over.

Conclusion

I highly recommend the Torano Master Blend. In fact, it was probably one of my favorite cigars that I tried in 2012. It has great balance between prominent cedar, spice, sweetness, and a creamy texture. I smoked two and was surprised and delighted both times.

Final Grade: Easy A

Cigar Review: Torano Exodus 1959 50 Year

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The Torano Exodus 1959 50 Year is the first in the FineTobaccoNYC Fall Cigar Review Schedule. I have to admit, in the past I have been underwhelmed by Torano Cigars, so I was excited to try something new and see if this blend could offer something substantially new. I smoked two of these cigars for this review, and, not to give everything away, but I wouldn’t mind another box or two to have on reserve. This is, simply put, a fantastic blend. But more details below.

Blend Specifics

Wrapper: Brazilian Arapiraca Sungrown
Binder: Honduras
Filler: Esteli & Pueblo Nuevo Nicaragua

Appearance & Construction
This cigar sports an orange-gold band featuring the Torano coat of arms. The wrapper is a beautiful chocolate brown that blankets the box-pressed vitola. A few veins, but nothing out of the ordinary. Off of the foot I smell leather, coffee, and a slight granola.

Taste & Smoke Characteristics
Boom. Flavor! This cigar wastes no time in getting started. Tons of smoke are produced from the perfect draw, revealing coffee, cinnamon (trademark Torano, in my opinion), subtle spices (there are more than one) and prominent dark chocolate notes.

In the second third, many of the same notes, though the medium bodied intensity draws back slightly and the texture smooths itself out. The final third heats up a bit, but interestingly did not detract from the enjoyment of the smoke. Near the end of the stick, I get one more surprise: the dark chocolate notes become distinctly milk-chocolate in flavor.

I was sad to put this cigar down.

Conclusion

There is no way around it: this is my favorite Torano blend to date. It is complex, subtle, powerful, and smooth all at the same time. It delivers loads of flavor while not breaking the bank. Do yourself a favor and give the 50 year a try.

Final Grade: A