Old Henry - Toro

[avid toker]

A little background on the cigar and setting. Tonight I took a break from my usual darkside treats and decided to fire up an Old Henry Toro I had sitting around for a few months. I figured it had enough time to acclimate and being a product of Jose "Pepin" Garcia, I knew the construction would be spot on.

Taking the cigar out of it's cello, I carefully inspected the cigar passing it below my nostrils a few times to discern the aroma. The Corojo wrapper was the color of rich earthy soil with a reddish tint and gave off a scent of leather and pungent pepper. I didn't think much of the aroma at the time and settled in on the deck with a few glasses of Fonseca port graciously gifted by Crossbow. A nice cool breeze wafted thru the air to take away from the heat and mugginess that surrounded most of the 96 degree day.

As I expected upon lighting, the burn and construction was top notch. The draw was a little tighter than I liked but not tight enough to detract from the enjoyment. The cigar was definitely medium to full bodied but not that complex. It exhibited a leather core with doses of camphor, pepper and sweet spice that danced in and out. Towards the end a bit of metallic taste crept in which detracted from my enjoyment a bit.

All in all, a cigar worthy of the lower price tag but not worthy enough to buy an entire box. I would give it a 5 out of 10 due to it's lack of complexity and flavors.

 

[jwintosh]

awesome review! thanks!! i smoked one i got in a sampler, and thought it very peppery,,, almost to the point of overtaking.... it mellowed in the last half, very good tobacco flavor, but, as you pointed out, lacking complexity. i haven't seeked another.

thanks again,
jeff

 

[carbolicsmoke]

very nice review - just purchased a fiver from holt's. Sorta glad I didn't buy a box right of the bat - I'll wait and see how the set with me.

 

[Headbanger]

Thanks for the review Shane. Chuck (CWS) loves these things and is smoking them up right now. They need more time (years) to be better for your liking as your puros are well aged most of the time. I have not had a metallic taste from any Pepin products to date. Though today the 5 pack of Cabaiguan RE that came in has a definite ammonia smell to them and as not smokable right now.

 

[vperlman]

I like some of the Pepin Garcia's, but Old Henry isn't one of my favorites. YMMV. In any event, I have heard that the Robusto is by far the best of the bunch and that it is best smoked dry. The recommendations I have read have said to take it out of the humidor and dry box it, or just let it sit out, for about 3 days before smoking.

If you like Don Pepin's, you have to try the new Holt's Connoisseur line. I like these a lot, and they run around $5 per stick.

 

[avid toker]

Yeah, I'm beginning to think I should have ponied up a few extra bucks for the Blue label instead....a far better stick than Old Henry. Funny you mentioned the dry boxing...that probably woudl have helped although it has been sitting in my singles humi at 65%RH for a few weeks now. Others should find that tip useful.

 

[CWS]

As Headbanger mentioned, I really like this cigar. I went through two fivers and now have a box of the Robustos and a box of the toros resting. I think they have great potentail and did not find the metalic taste at all. Well, eash to his own. I classify this as a good everyday cigar with plenty of power behind it.

 

[aleam_38]

thanks for the review, I will add this to my "to try" list.

 

[Boppa-Wasch]

Thanks for the review.

 

[Electric Sheep]

I've been wanting to try some Old Henrys for a while now...just haven't pulled the trigger on buying any yet.