Aging Room Pura Cepa 100% Nicaraguan Toro 2/16/20

 

Appearance

A milk chocolate colored wrapper with mostly thin veins. The seams are tightly wrapped and difficult to find. The wrapper leaf has a beautiful oily sheen. The filler bunch is well packed with no apparent soft spots.

Aroma

Earth, chocolate, dried red fruit on the wrapper. Earth, chocolate, red fruit and spice at the foot.

Prelight Draw

Earth, cocoa powder, black cherry, honey and mild spice.

1st

The initial draws bring notes of earth, cedar and cinnamon spice. The draw is spot on. There is a pinch of black pepper spice joining the cinnamon in the spice department. The ash is medium gray and stacked. The burn is straight except for a small wave. Strength is medium+. The black pepper spice increases to a dash. Smoke production is at the medium range. Near the end of the 1st/3rd the black pepper tapers back and is replaced with a thick honey note. The ash holds firm and straight until removal.

2nd

Cocoa powder notes join the flavorful profile. Black cherry notes join the profile. The burn and draw are perfect. The blend is very well balanced. Almond notes join the profile. Strength moves to med/full. The finish is long with notes of earth, cedar, honey, cocoa, black cherry, almond and a cinnamon/black pepper spice combo.

Final/3rd

The delicious flavor profile continues into the final/3rd.

The complex, well balanced and flavorful profile continues right to the nub.

Overall

The Aging Room Pura Cepa 100% Nicaraguan Toro provides a very enjoyable smoking experience. A complex, well balanced and flavorful profile with a perfect draw and burn.

This is the best Aging Room cigar they have made. And I’ve tried them all, which includes the most recent CA #1 Cigar of the year which had more black pepper spice presence so I did not enjoy it as much as this Pura Cepa.

It is blended by Rafael Nodal and made at Plasencia in Esteli. @PlasenciaCigars

Well done gentlemen!

 

 

DT&T Sobremesa Brûlée Robusto 2/15/20

 

Appearance

A light brown colored wrapper with a couple of prominent veins. The seams are tightly wrapped. There are a couple of imperfections in the wrapper leaf where veins come together, we’ll see how it burns. It has a nice oily sheen. The filler bunch is well packed with no apparent soft spots.

Aroma

Cedar, fruit and a hint of spice on the wrapper. Cedar, fruit, leather and spice at the foot.

Prelight Draw

Cedar, dried fruit, licorice, leather and a mild spice.

1st
The initial draws bring notes of cedar and a faint sour note. The sour note was gone after a couple of draws. The draw is near perfect. The burn has a couple of small waves. The ash is very light gray and tightly stacked. The simple profile is wrapped in a leathery texture. Strength starts out medium. A very faint spice begins to develop. Smoke production is at the low range. The ash held firm and straight until removal.

2nd
The burn and draw are spot on. The spice is beginning to ramp up. Nutty notes join the profile. There are actually two types of nuts in the profile. Creamy cashews and paprika flavored peanuts. Definitely not a boring Connecticut. The finish is long with notes of cedar, cashew, peanuts, paprika spice with a pinch of black pepper all well balanced and wrapped in a leathery texture. Smoke production is at the medium range.

Final/3rd
The well balanced and flavorful profile continues into the final/3rd. Medium roast coffee notes join the profile. Strength finishes at medium+. The flavorful profile continues right to the nub.

Overall

The DT&T Sobremesa Brûlée Robusto provides an enjoyable smoking experience. A well balanced and flavorful profile with a perfect draw and mildly erratic burn.

If you enjoy Connecticut wrapper cigars you will definitely want to experience this one.

 

 

Mi Querida Triqui Traca 552 2/9/20

 

Appearance

A dark chocolate looking wrapper with a few thin veins and tightly wrapped seams. There is a light oil sheen on the wrapper leaf. The filler bunch is well packed with no apparent soft spots.

Aroma

Earth, cedar, cocoa, leather and a hint of spice on the wrapper. Earth, leather, cedar, cocoa and a hint of spice at the foot.

Prelight Draw

Chocolate, earth, cedar and mild cinnamon spice.

1st

The initial draws bring notes of cedar, earth, cocoa and a pinch of cinnamon spice all rolled in a leathery texture. The draw is perfect. The light gray ash is tightly stacked and is beginning to bloom. Strength is medium. Smoke production is at the low end of medium range. The cinnamon spice has been joined by a pinch of black pepper spice. The burn line is wavy. The ash held firm and straight (except for the 1st inch which was blooming) until removal.

2nd

Coffee notes join the profile. The black pepper spice was starting to build in intensity but tapers back about the midway point of the cigar. The blend while not complex is very well balanced and flavorful. The smoke production is at the medium range. Strength is medium+. The finish is long with notes of cedar, earth, cocoa, coffee and a cinnamon/black pepper spice combo, all wrapped in a leathery texture.

Final/3rd

The burn line has fully self corrected with the help of simple physics. The spice tapers back to a very soft note. The black pepper spice has almost totally disappeared and warm cinnamon spice ramps up. Strength moves to med/full. The profile remains consistent right to the nub.

Overall

The Mi Querida Triqui Traca 552 provides a very enjoyable smoking experience. A well balanced and flavorful profile with a perfect draw and mildly erratic burn till the final/3rd which had a razor sharp burn line.

Another great blend by Steve Saka @stevesaka

 

 

Aging Room Quattro Nicaragua Vibrato(Toro) 2/8/20

 

Appearance

A dark chocolate brown colored wrapper with a couple of thin veins but a mostly smooth matte finish. The seams are tightly wrapped and the cap is very well applied. There is a very light oil sheen. It is box pressed. The filler bunch is well packed with no apparent soft spots.

Aroma

Earth, dark chocolate, cedar and spice on the wrapper. Earth, dark chocolate, cedar, floral and spice at the foot.

Prelight Draw

Earth, raisin, licorice, dark chocolate and spice.

1st

The initial draws bring notes of earth and a very distant spice at the back of the palate. The draw is snug. The burn is nearly perfect at the 5/8” mark. The medium/dark gray, tightly stacked ash is beginning to bloom. The blooming stopped after 1/2”. At 1” in black pepper spice notes are beginning to develop. Near the end of the 1st/3rd the burn goes off at 22.5 degrees. The ash holds firm and straight until removal.

2nd

Upon inspection of the working end I find a tunnel right under the binder which is causing the uneven burn line. Strength is at medium+. Smoke production is at the medium range. Too much gomma(vegetable glue) was used and caused damage to the secondary band when removing. The black pepper spice tapers back a bit allowing notes of caramel to come forward. The draw begins opening up. With the help of simple physics the burn line is self correcting. Dark chocolate notes join the profile. The finish is long with notes of earth, cedar, dark chocolate, caramel and heavy black pepper spice.

Final/3rd
The same damage occurs when removing the primary band. The burn gets erratic as I start the final/3rd. Nutty notes, when combined with the black pepper spice taste like toasted almonds as they join the profile. After another half dozen or so puffs the black pepper spice begins overwhelming the profile. The black pepper spice continues dominating the profile right to the nub.

Overall

The Aging Room Quattro Nicaragua Vibrato(Toro) provides a disappointing smoking experience. The profile had a heavy black pepper spice influence with a good draw after the 1st/3rd and an erratic burn for most of the cigar.

I have not found an Aging Room cigar that I enjoyed as the heavy black pepper spice is typical in all of their cigars. But give it a try, especially if you enjoy heavy black pepper spice.

Definitely not worthy of #1 cigar of the year in my humble opinion.

 

 

CH Juarez Jack Brown Maduro Robusto Extra 2/2/20

 

Appearance

A dark chocolate colored San Andres Maduro wrapper with a couple of thin veins. The seams are tight and the cap is well done. The wrapper leaf has a nice oily sheen. The filler bunch is well packed with no apparent soft spots.

Aroma

Earth, cedar and cocoa powder on the wrapper. Earth, cocoa powder and spice at the foot.

Prelight Draw

Earth, cocoa powder, cedar, fruit and spice.

1st

The initial draws bring notes of earth, wood, cocoa powder and faint fruit notes.

The draw is snug. The burn is razor sharp. The smoke production is at the medium range. Strength is medium.

The ash is almost white and tightly stacked. The spice reminds me of paprika. The ash held firm and straight until removal.

2nd

Upon inspection of the working end I find a 3/16” tunnel at the center of the bunch. The smoke production is at the high range with smoke billowing off the foot between draws. The burn is at 45* but correcting quickly as I implement simple physics. Unsalted peanut notes join the profile. The draw has opened up. The finish is long with notes of earth, cedar, fruit, cocoa, unsalted peanuts and paprika spice.

Final/3rd

The burn has fully self corrected. Strength moves to medium+. Burn is wavy. The profile remains consistent right to the nub.

Overall

The CH Juarez Jack Brown Maduro Robusto Extra provides a somewhat enjoyable smoking experience. A complex, well balanced and flavorful profile with a snug draw to the halfway point and an erratic burn for most of the cigar. I’ll definitely revisit this one as I’m hoping the draw and burn issues are not typical.

 

 

CH Court Reserve XVIII Sublime(Toro extra) 2/1/20

 

Appearance
A medium to dark brown colored wrapper with some mottling. The wrapper is a bit rustic looking as is typical for San Andrés leaf. One prominent vein and some small thin ones. The seams are tightly wrapped. It has a nice oily sheen. The filler bunch is well packed with no apparent soft spots.

Aroma

Earth, cedar, cocoa powder and spice on the wrapper. Earth, cedar, red fruit, cocoa powder and a hint of spice at the foot.

Prelight Draw
Earthy, cedar, raisin, dried red fruit, dark chocolate and cinnamon spice.

1st
The initial draws bring notes of earth and cedar with a distant cinnamon spice. The draw is snug. The burn has a bit of a wave. Smoke production is at the high end of medium range. The ash is almost white and tightly stacked. About an inch in the spice ramps up. Faint raisin notes join the profile. Strength is medium. Ash holds firm and straight until removal.

2nd
There is a pinch of black pepper spice joining the profile. The draw becomes effortless. Burn is still wavy. Cocoa powder notes become more noticeable. Smoke production is at the high range. The finish is long with notes of earth, cedar, cocoa powder, raisin, dried red fruit and a cinnamon/black pepper spice combo.

Final/3rd
The strength moves to med/full. The complex, well balanced and flavorful profile continues into the final/3rd. I have not needed to sip any water as the cigar provides plenty of salivation. The burn has fully self corrected. The profile remains consistent right to the nub.

Overall
CH Court Reserve XVIII Sublime (Toro extra) provides a very enjoyable smoking experience. A complex, well balanced and flavorful profile with an effortless draw after the 1st/3rd and a mildly erratic burn.

Definitely a cigar you want to try.

 

 

DBL Maduro La Flecha(Robusto) 1/26/20

 

Appearance

A rough and rustic looking, dark chocolate colored wrapper with a couple of prominent veins and a good amount of tooth. The seams are tightly wrapped and difficult to find. There is a nice oily sheen. The filler bunch is well packed with no apparent soft spots.

Aroma

Earth, dark chocolate, dried fruit, cedar and a hint of spice on the wrapper. Earth, dried fruit, cedar and a hint of spice at the foot.

Prelight Draw

Earth, dried fruit, cedar, black licorice and spice.

1st

The initial draws bring notes of earth, cedar and a distant spice. The burn is wavy. The draw is spot on. The ash is light gray and stacked. Smoke production is at the low end of high range. Faint dried fruit notes join the profile and linger on the finish. The ash held firm and straight until removal.

2nd

The wavy burn has almost fully self corrected. Espresso notes join the profile. The spice has developed in flavor and intensity with the flavor becoming a paprika with a medium intensity. The finish is long with notes of earth, cedar, dried fruit, espresso and paprika spice. The draw has become effortless. The burn is spot on and the smoke production is at the high range.

Final/3rd

The well balanced and flavorful profile continues unchanged into the

final/3rd. The flavorful profile continues right to the nub.

Overall

The DBL Maduro La Flecha (Robusto) provides an enjoyable smoking experience. A well balanced and flavorful profile with a good draw and mildly erratic burn.

A flavorful cigar at an affordable price point that you should hunt down and try!

 

 

Trinidad (NC) Espiritu Toro 1/25/20

 

Collaboration with AJ Fernandez

 

Appearance

A medium brown colored wrapper with very tight and almost invisible seams. There is a small amount of tooth and a nice oily sheen on the wrapper. The filler bunch is well packed with no apparent soft spots.

The bands are very attractive.

Aroma

Cedar, sweetness and a hint of spice on the wrapper. Cedar, earth, brown sugar and spice at the foot.

Prelight Draw

Cedar, light brown sugar, dried fruit, cocoa powder, black licorice and spice.

1st

The initial draws bring notes of cedar, earth and sugary sweetness. The spice comes thru right away as well, especially on the finish. The draw is a tick snug. The burn has a small wave. There is a citrusy note with a dual benefit, it balances the black pepper spice which has begun building and it cleanses the palate. The ash is light gray and tightly stacked. Dried fruit notes join the profile. Strength and body are at medium+. Burn has almost fully self corrected. Smoke production is at the medium range. The ash held firm and straight until removal.

2nd

Cocoa powder notes join the profile. The citrusy notes have faded a bit allowing the black pepper spice to be more prominent. The draw opens up. About midway in the cigar the citrusy notes return. The finish is long with notes of cedar, earth, citrus, dried fruit, cocoa and black pepper spice. Smoke production is at the low end of high range. Crushed red pepper spice notes join the profile replacing the black pepper.

Final/3rd
The well balanced and flavorful profile moves unchanged into the

final/3rd. The black pepper spice notes return but in balance with the red pepper. Strength is at med/full. The complex, well balanced and flavorful profile remains consistent right to the nub.

Overall

The Trinidad(NC) Espiritu Toro is a collaboration smoke between Altadis and AJ Fernandez and it provides a very enjoyable smoking experience. A complex, well balanced and flavorful profile with a perfect draw once it opened up and a mildly erratic burn.

 

 

DBL Habano El Rey XX Toro Extra 1/19/20

 

Appearance

A medium brown colored wrapper with a reddish hue. There are a couple of prominent veins. The seams are tightly wrapped and difficult to find. It has a nice oily sheen. The filler bunch is well packed with no apparent soft spots.

Aroma

Floral, vanilla and a hint of spice on the wrapper. Cedar, floral, wine vinegar, vanilla and spice at the foot.

Prelight Draw

Cedar, floral, wine vinegar, vegetal earth and a very faint hint of spice.

1st

The initial draws bring notes of earth and dry cedar with a mild cinnamon spice. The draw is a bit snug. The burn starts out wavy. There is an underlying organic/ herbal flavor in the background. The wavy burn is self correcting. The ash is salt&pepper gray and tightly stacked. At just under an inch the draw opens up. Smoke production is at the low end of medium range. The beautiful ash held firm, straight and tight until removal.

2nd

Just into the 2nd/3rd some meaty notes join the profile. Strength and body are at medium. Coffee notes join the well balanced profile. The burn develops a wide U shape on one side due to a tunnel near the binder. Smoke production moves to the low end of high range. The finish is long with notes of cedar, vegetal earth, floral, vanilla, herbal coffee and nutmeg spice.

Final/3rd

Moving into the final/3rd the intensity of the spice tapers back. The burn is spot on. The well balanced and flavorful profile continues right to the nub.

Overall

The DBL Habano El Rey XX Toro Extra provides a very enjoyable smoking experience. A complex, well balanced and flavorful profile with a perfect draw(after the 1st inch) and an erratic burn until the final/3rd.

Definitely a cigar to seek out and try. Very affordable price point at $7 and change.

GoGetchasome™️!!

 

 

300 Manos Robusto by Southern Draw 1/18/20

 

Appearance

A medium brown colored wrapper with a few thin veins. The seams are tightly wrapped. It has a light oil sheen. The filler bunch is well packed with no apparent soft spots.

Aroma

Earth, cocoa, dates and a hint of spice on the wrapper.

Earth, cocoa, dates and spice at the foot.

Prelight Draw
Earth, cedar, dates, dried fruit, cocoa and spice.

1st
The initial draws bring notes of cedar, coffee notes with their inherent bitterness and a mild spice note to round out the profile.

The draw is a bit snug(says my cheeks). The burn is slightly wavy. Smoke production is at the low range. Strength is medium. The ash is medium gray and tightly stacked. The ash held firm and straight until removal.

2nd
The profile becomes very creamy moving into the 2nd/3rd. The draw opens up nicely. The dried fruit notes are present but in the background. Smoke production is at the medium range. The finish is long with notes of cedar, earth, coffee, faint dried fruit and mild cinnamon spice.

Final/3rd
Moving into the final/3rd the spice increases in intensity. The profile remains consistent right to the nub.

Overall

The 300 Manos Robusto by Southern Draw provides an enjoyable smoking experience. A well balanced and flavorful profile with a nice draw(after the 1st/3rd) and a wavy burn.

 

 

Gurkha 30th Anniversary Treinta Robusto 1/12/20

 

Appearance

A dark brown colored wrapper with a few prominent veins and a little bit of tooth. The seams are tightly wrapped and difficult to find. The cigar has a nice oily sheen, almost dripping with oil in some spots. The filler bunch is well packed with no apparent soft spots.

Aroma

Lush fruit, cedar and spice on the wrapper. Cedar, earth, fruit and spice at the foot.

Prelight Draw

Dried fruit, red licorice, cedar, earth, molasses and spice.

1st

The initial draws bring notes of cedar, earth and nutmeg spice. The draw is a tick snug. The burn is almost perfect. Smoke production is at the medium range. Strength is medium. The ash is dark gray and stacked. Faint red licorice notes join the profile. The ash held firm and straight until removal.

2nd
Upon inspection of the working end I find a couple of very tiny tunnels just under the binder causing the slightly erratic burn. The draw has opened up nicely. Coffee notes join the profile. Smoke production is at the low end of high range. The finish is long with notes of cedar, earth, dried fruit, red licorice, coffee and crushed red pepper spice with a pinch of black pepper.

Final/3rd

The well balanced and flavorful profile moves into the final/3rd. The strength moves to medium+. The profile remains consistent right to the nub.

Overall

The Gurkha 30th Anniversary Treinta Robusto provides an enjoyable smoking experience. A well balanced and flavorful profile with good draw after the 1st/3rd and an erratic burn.

 

 

DBL Cigars Formula Belicoso BP 1/5/20

 

Appearance

A medium to dark brown colored wrapper with some mottling and a couple of thin veins. The seams are tightly wrapped. It has a very oily sheen. The filler bunch is well packed with no apparent soft spots.

It has a nice box press.

Aroma

Earth, cedar, and spice on the wrapper. Cedar, faint molasses and spice at the foot.

Prelight Draw

Earth, chocolate, cedar, molasses, caramel and spice.

1st

The initial draws bring notes of cedar, earth, caramel and spice. A very tasty albeit snug draw to start. The burn is a bit wavy to start. The ash is dark gray and stacked with a little bit of flake. Strength is medium. Smoke production is at the low range. Ash dropped at 1”. The spice which started as a mild cinnamon has evolved to a cayenne pepper.

2nd
The draw has opened up nicely. Coffee notes begin to influence the profile, balancing the spice notes. A couple of tunnels have appeared, one large one small which have caused a wave in the burn line. The finish is long with notes of cedar, earth, caramel, coffee and cayenne pepper spice. The tunnels are gone a 1/2” later.

Final/3rd

The spice and coffee notes become more prominent. Strength is med/full. The flavorful profile continues right to the nub.

Overall

The DBL Cigars Formula Belicoso BP provides an enjoyable smoking experience. A well balanced and flavorful profile with a good draw after the 1st/3rd and mildly erratic burn.

Definitely a cigar to try at an affordable price point.

 

 

MBombay M Esteli Robusto 1/4/20

 

Appearance

A medium brown colored wrapper with a couple of thin veins. The seams are tightly wrapped. The wrapper has a nice oily sheen. The filler bunch is well packed with no apparent soft spots.

Aroma

Cedar with a hint of floral on the uncelloed wrapper. Closed foot.

Prelight Draw

Cedar, black licorice, frozen red seedless grapes and cinnamon spice.

1st

The initial draws bring notes of cedar while the wrapper leaf is burned off of the foot. Those initial draws were also snug until the foot of the cigar was fully burning. Strength starts at medium. The draw is good, the burn is a bit wavy but is currently self correcting. There is a sugar cookie sweetness and some cinnamon spice joining the profile. The ash is light gray and stacked. Smoke production is at the medium range. The ash held firm and straight until removal.

2nd

The consistent profile moves into the 2nd/3rd. The profile is well balanced. The finish is long with notes of cedar, sugar cookie and warm cinnamon spice.

Final/3rd

Strength moves to medium+. The well balanced and consistent flavor profile remains unchanged right to the nub.

Overall

The MBOMBAY M Esteli Robusto provides an enjoyable smoking experience. A well balanced and consistent flavor profile with a perfect draw. The burn was mildly erratic in the 1st/3rd and spot on the rest of the way.

 

 

CH La Coalición Gordito 1/1/20

 

Appearance

A dark chocolate colored wrapper with a few prominent veins that look like they have dark chocolate running through them. The seams are tightly wrapped and only visible due to a little bit of mottling. This wrapper is dripping with oil. The filler bunch is well packed with no apparent soft spots.

Aroma

Earth, cedar, cocoa powder, espresso and spice on the wrapper. Dried white fruit, cedar and spice at the foot.

Prelight Draw

Dried white fruit, cedar, black licorice, espresso and spice.

1st

The initial draws bring notes of dried fruit and cedar with a spice kicker. The draw is perfect. The burn is nearly perfect. Smoke production is at the high end of medium range.

The profile is well balanced. The ash is light gray and stacked. A pinch of black pepper joins the profile. The ash held firm and straight until removal.

2nd

The smoke production is at the high range with smoke billowing off the foot between draws. The spice which was a paprika/black pepper combo in the 1st/3rd has tapered back. Upon inspection of the working end I find 2 tiny tunnels close together and just off center. The tunnels are not affecting the burn and are gone about a 1/2” later. Espresso notes join the profile late in the 2nd/3rd. The finish is long with notes of dried white fruit, cedar, hints of raisin, espresso and a paprika/black pepper spice combo.

Final/3rd

The flavorful profile rolls into the final/3rd. The spice combo ramps up but is still in balance. The well balanced and flavorful profile continues right to the nub.

Overall

The Crowned Heads La Coalición Gordito provides a very enjoyable smoking experience. A well balanced and flavorful profile with a perfect draw and slightly wavy burn till the final/3rd where it’s razor sharp.

The CH La Coalition is a collaboration with Drew Estate.

GoGetchasome™️!!

 

 

Rocky Patel Tavicusa Robusto 12/29/19

 

Appearance

A dark brown colored wrapper with a few prominent veins. The seams are tightly wrapped. It has a light oil sheen. The filler bunch is well packed with no apparent soft spots.

Aroma

Earth, dried fruit, faint spice on the wrapper. Dried fruit at the foot.

Prelight Draw

Lush dried fruit with raisins, dates and figs, cedar and warm cinnamon spice.

1st

The initial draws bring notes of cedar and earth with a distant cinnamon spice. The next group of draws brought out dried fruit notes. The draw is a bit snug. The burn is wavy. The ash is salt&pepper gray and stacked tight. Strength is medium. The ash held firm and straight until removal.

2nd

Smoke production is at the medium range. A pinch of black pepper spice is now noticeable in the profile. The draw has opened up and the burn has self corrected. The finish is long with notes of fruit, cedar, earth, warm cinnamon spice and a pinch of black pepper. Strength and body are at med/full. Toasty notes join the profile. The black pepper spice is now at the dash level( more than a pinch).

Final/3rd

The flavorful profile rolls into the final/3rd unchanged. The well balanced and flavorful profile continues right to the nub.

Overall

The Rocky Patel Tavicusa Robusto provides a very enjoyable smoking experience. A well balanced and flavorful profile with a perfect draw and burn after a snug and wavy start.

 

 

Gurkha Nicaragua Series Toro 12/28/19

 

Appearance

A medium brown colored wrapper with a few prominent veins. The seams are tightly wrapped. It has a nice oily sheen. It also has a little bit of tooth. The filler bunch is well packed with no apparent soft spots.

Aroma

Cedar, graham cracker and a hint of spice on the wrapper. Cedar, graham cracker, dried white fruit and a very faint hint of spice at the foot.

Prelight Draw

Cedar, earth, graham cracker, dried fruit, warm spice.

1st

The initial draws bring notes of cedar and earth with a cinnamon spice. Draw is a tick snug and the burn has a small wave. The ash is medium gray and stacked. Before the midway point of the 1st/3rd the draw opens up. Almond notes join the profile. Smoke production is at the high end of medium range. Strength is at medium. The ash holds firm and straight until removal.

2nd

The almond notes transition to creamy cashew notes. There is also a pinch of black pepper spice joining in. The profile is very well balanced to this point. Burn and draw are spot on. The warm cinnamon spice has become more like a crushed red pepper spice with a pinch of black pepper. The finish is long with notes of cedar, earth, creamy cashew, crushed red pepper spice and a pinch of black pepper.

Final/3rd

This is Gurkha’s first Nicaraguan Puro and is made at the Aganorsa Factory. The complex, well balanced and flavorful profile rolls into the final/3rd. Strength moves to medium+. The flavorful profile continues right to the nub.

Overall

The Gurkha Nicaragua Series Toro provides a very enjoyable smoking experience. A complex, well balanced and flavorful profile with a perfect draw and burn after a snug and wavy start.

Well done Kaizad and Juan Lopez.

 

 

CAO Orellana Toro 12/22/19

 

Appearance

A dark brown colored wrapper with a bit of mottling and a few prominent veins. The seams are tightly wrapped. There is a very light oil sheen. The filler bunch is well packed with no apparent soft spots.

Aroma

Earth, cedar, leather and a hint of spice on the wrapper. Earth, cedar, dried fruit and spice at the foot.

Prelight Draw
Earth, lush red fruit, dates, espresso and spice.

1st
The initial draws bring notes of earth and light espresso. About 1/4” in the spice notes begin to develop. Lush red fruit notes join the profile at the midway point of the 1st/3rd. The burn line is fairly straight. The draw is a tick snug. The ash is light gray and stacked. Strength & body are medium. Smoke production is at the low end of medium range. A slow burning cigar. The ash held firm and straight until removal.

2nd
The draw has opened up nicely. Smoke production is at the high end of medium range. The finish is long with notes of earth, cedar, lush red fruit, espresso, dates and warm cinnamon spice.

Final/3rd

The espresso notes get a bit more bold as the first of the double string bands burns off. The well balanced and flavorful profile remains consistent right to the nub.

Overall

The CAO Orellana Toro provides an enjoyable smoking experience. A well balanced and flavorful profile with a good draw and burn.

These are a limited production so find them and try it while you can.