La Tribu Gran Toro
Size: 6-1/2 x 54
Wrapper: Ecuadorian Habano
Binder: Dominican Republic
Filler: Dominican Republic
MSRP: $6.00 each
About:
This cigar was a pre-release sample that I received from Paul at Atlantic Cigar. At the time that I researched the cigar, there was not much information available online, so I emailed Paul and he responded with the complete scoop about this new blend produced exclusively for and by Atlantic Cigar.
Here is an excerpt from the email that Paul sent me (with some edits made for brevity and clarity):
The La Tribu (The Tribe), a special project that has been in the works for the last few years. This project involved the collaboration with some of the best tobacco expects from both Cuba and the outside world. The goal was to examine closely the way cigars are produced by studying years of research from the Cuban cigar market and that of the American market. From the ground up from trial and error over the last few years we were able to create this outstanding cigar. The creation of this unique cigar involved the use of traditional and modern techniques, and deep, open discussions from many schools of thought. Our group was one of the first to be granted complete access to all of Cuba's cigar facilities and to their prestigious Tobacco Institute (Instituto de Investigaciones del Tabaco). Our team spent countless hours studying, learning and developing a specific approach for the creation of this cigar. The result is a cigar that is reminiscent of the great Cuban cigars of the past with a modern day twist, and using the very best tobaccos grown today.
In speaking about the blending, Paul wrote:
The Blend is comprised of an Ecuadorian Habano wrapper, a Dominican binder and Nicaraguan and Dominican filler tobaccos. The cigars were minimally processed using natural techniques, then cedar cabinet aged until deemed ready. The true flavors of the tobacco are allowed to shine, never sacrificing flavor for appearance and never altering the true natural essence of the tobacco. The natural oils are present with no alteration.
The highest levels of quality control are incorporated, from draw testing to weighing each cigar, all to ensure a quality product.
Our focus is quality over quantity, done in very small batches to ensure this can be achieved. The name "La Tribu" translates to; "The Tribe," which is a tribute to those involved in the creation of this outstanding cigar. The launch date will be late-summer 2011, packaged in cedar boxes of 10 cigars and available in 4 sizes with limited releases throughout the year. A pre-release is currently available for a limited time until the full launch of the brand.
Pre-light:
The wrapper was a medium-dark brown and slightly rustic in appearance. It was well-constructed with a beautifully applied triple cap, and there were no major veins or defects visible on the cigar. There was some slight color variation in the wrapper, with some darker areas near the foot of the cigar.
AROMA: The main aroma that I detected reminded me wood chips more of a hardwood or oaky type of wood. There was also a pleasant aromatic muskiness in the background.
FLAVOR: There was a nice spicy bite, even in the prelight. There was also some nice earthiness and a slight vegetal character.
1/3:
The cigar started right off with a nice spicy mouthful of spicy thick smoke. There was also a slight hint of a refreshing or cleansing like quality that was tough for me to place exactly. It made for a very clean and short finish at this point in the cigar.
The spiciness was not at all overbearing, though it was the major flavor component in the first third. I would characterize the spiciness as having a slightly diluted black pepper like bite. The background had flavors of tannins and hay.
2/3:
In the second third, the spice really mellowed out. The tannin flavors became more of a light leathery flavor, and a creamy quality developed at the same time. The body of the cigar built a little bit, and I could just detect the hint of a Nic kick.
3/3:
In the final third of the cigar, the mellowness continued, with the leathery and creamy flavors combining well with the strengthening Nic kick. This balance made the cigar pleasantly flavored and with a decent strength component, without any one of the characteristics becoming too dominant. I was able to enjoy this cigar right down to the nub without any bitter flavors or excessive heating up of the cigar.
Overall:
It is clear that this is NOT a house brand where they simply pick up a cheap bundle and slap a store label on them. These cigars contain very good quality tobaccos, and they were blended carefully to provide a nice flavor profile and balance. Paul and the folks at Atlantic did a good job with this cigar, and they are worth checking out.
CLICK HERE TO LINK AND LISTEN TO THE COMPLETE PODCAST EPISODE
.
Size: 6-1/2 x 54
Wrapper: Ecuadorian Habano
Binder: Dominican Republic
Filler: Dominican Republic
MSRP: $6.00 each
About:
This cigar was a pre-release sample that I received from Paul at Atlantic Cigar. At the time that I researched the cigar, there was not much information available online, so I emailed Paul and he responded with the complete scoop about this new blend produced exclusively for and by Atlantic Cigar.
Here is an excerpt from the email that Paul sent me (with some edits made for brevity and clarity):
The La Tribu (The Tribe), a special project that has been in the works for the last few years. This project involved the collaboration with some of the best tobacco expects from both Cuba and the outside world. The goal was to examine closely the way cigars are produced by studying years of research from the Cuban cigar market and that of the American market. From the ground up from trial and error over the last few years we were able to create this outstanding cigar. The creation of this unique cigar involved the use of traditional and modern techniques, and deep, open discussions from many schools of thought. Our group was one of the first to be granted complete access to all of Cuba's cigar facilities and to their prestigious Tobacco Institute (Instituto de Investigaciones del Tabaco). Our team spent countless hours studying, learning and developing a specific approach for the creation of this cigar. The result is a cigar that is reminiscent of the great Cuban cigars of the past with a modern day twist, and using the very best tobaccos grown today.
In speaking about the blending, Paul wrote:
The Blend is comprised of an Ecuadorian Habano wrapper, a Dominican binder and Nicaraguan and Dominican filler tobaccos. The cigars were minimally processed using natural techniques, then cedar cabinet aged until deemed ready. The true flavors of the tobacco are allowed to shine, never sacrificing flavor for appearance and never altering the true natural essence of the tobacco. The natural oils are present with no alteration.
The highest levels of quality control are incorporated, from draw testing to weighing each cigar, all to ensure a quality product.
Our focus is quality over quantity, done in very small batches to ensure this can be achieved. The name "La Tribu" translates to; "The Tribe," which is a tribute to those involved in the creation of this outstanding cigar. The launch date will be late-summer 2011, packaged in cedar boxes of 10 cigars and available in 4 sizes with limited releases throughout the year. A pre-release is currently available for a limited time until the full launch of the brand.
Pre-light:
The wrapper was a medium-dark brown and slightly rustic in appearance. It was well-constructed with a beautifully applied triple cap, and there were no major veins or defects visible on the cigar. There was some slight color variation in the wrapper, with some darker areas near the foot of the cigar.
AROMA: The main aroma that I detected reminded me wood chips more of a hardwood or oaky type of wood. There was also a pleasant aromatic muskiness in the background.
FLAVOR: There was a nice spicy bite, even in the prelight. There was also some nice earthiness and a slight vegetal character.
1/3:
The cigar started right off with a nice spicy mouthful of spicy thick smoke. There was also a slight hint of a refreshing or cleansing like quality that was tough for me to place exactly. It made for a very clean and short finish at this point in the cigar.
The spiciness was not at all overbearing, though it was the major flavor component in the first third. I would characterize the spiciness as having a slightly diluted black pepper like bite. The background had flavors of tannins and hay.
2/3:
In the second third, the spice really mellowed out. The tannin flavors became more of a light leathery flavor, and a creamy quality developed at the same time. The body of the cigar built a little bit, and I could just detect the hint of a Nic kick.
3/3:
In the final third of the cigar, the mellowness continued, with the leathery and creamy flavors combining well with the strengthening Nic kick. This balance made the cigar pleasantly flavored and with a decent strength component, without any one of the characteristics becoming too dominant. I was able to enjoy this cigar right down to the nub without any bitter flavors or excessive heating up of the cigar.
Overall:
It is clear that this is NOT a house brand where they simply pick up a cheap bundle and slap a store label on them. These cigars contain very good quality tobaccos, and they were blended carefully to provide a nice flavor profile and balance. Paul and the folks at Atlantic did a good job with this cigar, and they are worth checking out.
CLICK HERE TO LINK AND LISTEN TO THE COMPLETE PODCAST EPISODE
.
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