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.