MithShrike
Yerba mate for life.
I got this cigar free from the Toraño website. I later bought another one from a local B&M to get a more accurate taste. The first time I smoked one I was walking home and it was rather windy and cold. This was my first impression:
The cigar was better than I expected. It was a Carlos Torano Signature Collection toro shape. Nice maduro wrapper, looked like good construction. Smelled not bad. Draw was a little tight but I had no problem getting smoke. A little spicy at first but mellowed out. The spiciness had to be in the filler or the binder because I detected no spiciness on my lips. After 2/3 of the cigar I had to purge it. The leaves were obviously not aged very long. A lot of ammonia and nicotine. Wasn't harsh though. Overall a very decent smoke for how young the leaves were.
After picking one up from the B&M, devoting some better time and thinking a little more about it I have this to say:
The construction was pleasing to me. Yes, there were some veins however, with maduro leaves this happens very easily thanks to the sun. The veins were not overly large and did not impede the burn. The draw was the same as when I had cut it last time, this time I punched the cigar.
The burn was very even with a thick yellowish smoke. As I smoked it I noticed that the ash where the filler was had a more yellowed color to it than the almost completely white wrapper ash. I had a good 3 inch ash.
As to the flavor, it was good for the price of the cigar. A little bit peppery but not anywhere near the primary flavor. Had an earthy overtone with hints of cocoa and coffee. After about 1/2 the cigar was smoked I had to purge it as it started to become harsh. I was not rushing the cigar in any way. After purging the flavor returned without the harshness and I nubbed the sucker.
Very pleasurable overall. I rate the cigar at an 8/10 for a decent price and good flavor. Considering a box can be bought for just under $4.00 per stick this is, in my opinion, worth it.
The cigar was better than I expected. It was a Carlos Torano Signature Collection toro shape. Nice maduro wrapper, looked like good construction. Smelled not bad. Draw was a little tight but I had no problem getting smoke. A little spicy at first but mellowed out. The spiciness had to be in the filler or the binder because I detected no spiciness on my lips. After 2/3 of the cigar I had to purge it. The leaves were obviously not aged very long. A lot of ammonia and nicotine. Wasn't harsh though. Overall a very decent smoke for how young the leaves were.
After picking one up from the B&M, devoting some better time and thinking a little more about it I have this to say:
The construction was pleasing to me. Yes, there were some veins however, with maduro leaves this happens very easily thanks to the sun. The veins were not overly large and did not impede the burn. The draw was the same as when I had cut it last time, this time I punched the cigar.
The burn was very even with a thick yellowish smoke. As I smoked it I noticed that the ash where the filler was had a more yellowed color to it than the almost completely white wrapper ash. I had a good 3 inch ash.
As to the flavor, it was good for the price of the cigar. A little bit peppery but not anywhere near the primary flavor. Had an earthy overtone with hints of cocoa and coffee. After about 1/2 the cigar was smoked I had to purge it as it started to become harsh. I was not rushing the cigar in any way. After purging the flavor returned without the harshness and I nubbed the sucker.
Very pleasurable overall. I rate the cigar at an 8/10 for a decent price and good flavor. Considering a box can be bought for just under $4.00 per stick this is, in my opinion, worth it.
