Partagas Legend Leyenda Toro 11/17/18

 Appearance
The milk chocolate colored Connecticut Broadleaf Maduro wrapper has a couple of prominent veins but also a bit of silky looking texture. The seams are tightly wrapped. There is a nice oily sheen on the wrapper. The filler bunch is not overly firm but no troublesome soft spots either.

Aroma
Barnyard, cedar, sweetness and spice on the wrapper. Sugary fruit and a hint of spice at the foot.

Prelight Draw
Graham cracker, dried white fruit and warm cinnamon spice.

1st
The initial draws bring notes of cedar, and cinnamon spice wrapped in a leathery texture. The draw is a tick on the snug side. The burn is nearly perfect. The salt&pepper gray ash is stacked and flaky. The ash was beginning to look a bit suspect so I removed it a little early. The cigar develops a wide u shape on the front side due to a tunnel under the binder.

2nd
Smoke production is in the low range. Burn is self correcting with the help of simple physics. Draw is still snug. Cocoa powder notes join the profile. Late in the 2nd/3rd the spice kicks up a couple notches and reminds me of nutmeg. Spice continues to change and is now a crushed red pepper spice. Nice complexity in the 2nd/3rd. Draw has finally opened up.

Final/3rd
A pinch of black pepper joins the spice part of the profile keeping the crushed red pepper in balance. The strength is medium+. The flavorful profile continues right to the nub.

Overall
The Partagas Legend Leyenda Toro provides an enjoyable smoking experience. A complex, well balanced and flavorful profile with a snug draw in the first 2/3’s and a mildly erratic burn.