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Carlos Torano Casa Torano Cigar Review

From the Torano website: Casa Toraño appeals to all the senses. The Ecuadorian-Connecticut wrapper is delicate, silky, and smooth. The binder is especially selected from the Toraño farms in the hills of Nicaragua; and the filler is a combination of Honduran, Nicaraguan, and a family blend of Central and South American tobaccos. Originally the Toraño´s private family blend, the Casa Toraño was made available to the smoking public and has received an enthusiastic reception. Honestly, I am looking forward to a treat with this cigar. If it really started out as the “family blend” then this must be something that is truly astonishing. Or, what they consider to be a good cigar differs from what I think is a good cigar. I hope that is not the case. Anyway, the wrapper is light but I do have to say that it is rather veiny. Furthermore, the foot seems a little misshapen. Finally, there is a soft feel to the cigar. Other than that, all is well. Cigar Stats Toro Length: 6 1/4″ Ring Gauge: 50 Wrapper: Ecuador (Connecticut) Binder: Honduras Filler: Honduras, Nicaragua Price: Box 25 - $128 | Single - $6.35 Lost Flame! Creamy cigar smoke leads to a couple of strong flavors. First of all, there is a strong grassy flavor. No, scratch that, it’s more like bitter, leafy greens. Beyond that there are some cherry and oak flavors. It really is an intriguing mix of flavors that I’m not altogether convinced tastes all that great. And then after the burn line crosses the one inch mark the flavors begin working in harmony. I guess since it is such a complex cigar that it takes a little while for the metaphorical engine to warm up but oh am I glad that it has warmed up. Oddly enough, the flavors aren’t usually what I would go for. I like my cigars spicier than this one is. I also like leather and meat, neither of which is in this cigar. Even though the flavors present aren’t my normal cup o’ tea I find myself really enjoying this stogie. In addition to the multitude of flavors I have already mentioned there is a milky flavor. It’s not as rich as cream but it’s definitely whole milk. It burns well, the draw is great and it is a mild bodied cigar. Couple this with the great flavors and it’s a real treat of a cigar. Can’t say that I’m going to go back to it all that often but it is undeniably a great cigar. 91 points Purchase as Part of a Torano Variety Sampler Another view from Cigar Jack

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Asides

• Pre-Smoke Silky, light brown Connecticut wrapper. Oily, veiny and there are a couple of dark color splotches. The feel of the cigar is a little spongy. For this review I am smoking the churchill (7" x 50) vitola. It costs about $7.00. Smoke A burnt oak flavor is the first and main flavor to start off and it is pretty good. It burns evenly and the draw is great. The cigar stays very consistent throughout. Oak is the mainstay and, if you like that flavor a lot, then you will like this cigar a lot. It ranges from burnt to sweet but it's oak all the way. After-Smoke For the Oliva Connecticut the complexity is confined to its oak flavors. It's a fine cigar and an enjoyable enough cigar. Now, if you are thinking there are going to be a lot of flavors then you need to look elsewhere. 3 points #
• Pre-Smoke The light Connecticut shade wrapper that adorns this cigar has some discolorations. This Perdomo is packed nicely but there is not that much oil on it. Other than that, it looks like a well made cigar. Beside the American wrapper, the filler and binder tobaccos are grown in Nicaragua (Esteli, Condega and Jalapa). For this review I will be smoking the robusto (5" x 52), which retails for around $6.00 (the rest of the line will cost you more). Smoke Creaminess is the first noticeable flavor followed by oak. Those are the main flavors but there is also burnt toast in the background. It is a relatively smooth cigar but there is just something in the background that wants to burst out - sort of like a caged tiger or something like that. At times I can almost taste the spice breaking through and then the mellow oakiness takes back over. Not a bad cigar by any means. It's medium-full bodied, has a good draw and an even burn. And, truthfully, this cigar is growing on me. It's laid back flavor profile is endearing. After-Smoke Overall, it is an enjoyable smoke. The flavors are more than adequate but there is not a lot of complexity with this Perdomo. I will say this: it is better than most of the Perdomos that I have smoked. 3.5 points #
• Pre-Smoke The Tatuaje Series P is significantly cheaper than the other lines from Tatuaje. The robusto costs between $3.00 to $4.00 per stick, depending on how many you buy at one time. So, is it as good as it's much higher priced brethren? Just based off of looks and feel I would have to say no. It looks like a dried out leaf with only a slight sheen of oils. Beyond that, it does feel a little squishy to the touch. Not a good start for this Nicaraguan puro. Smoke With a good draw and burn and a medium body this cigar is starting off alright. While I don't think it measures up to the premium Tatuaje lines (which is an unfair expectation considering the price) it is actually a somewhat enjoyable smoke at the beginning. A slight amount of spice, a decent helping of maple sweetness and woody flavors. Working against it is that it is not a smooth cigar and the flavors don't meld all that well together. In fact, as the cigar progresses it does get harsh and then it gets better and then it gets harsh all over again. Basically, it's an inconsistent cigar that does have a couple of kind of good moments. In addition to the aforementioned flavors there is a nuttiness and meatiness to it. After-Smoke Upon reflection, the best way to describe this cigar is that it is dry. The flavors are there but they are intermittently harsh. It's a cheap cigar and it shows. 1.5 points #
• Pre-Smoke The 460 (4" x 60 ring gauge) Nub Maduro is a good enough looking cigar. Not too tightly packed, somewhat veiny, no glaring imperfections. Smoke Due to its large ring gauge, it does take a little bit longer to light than most cigars. The predominant flavor is espresso with a good helping of a low-octane spice (i.e. not very spicy spice - if that makes sense). After the one-inch mark the flavor profile makes a dramatic shift towards earthy/grassy flavors. However, it appears that was nothing more than a brief intermission since the spice and espresso return. It's an up-and-down cigar as far as flavor goes. The flavors alternate between being crisp and muddled. On the bright side, the draw is good (maybe a smidgen too tight for my liking) and the burn is for all intents and purposes, even. It is a medium bodied cigar. After-Smoke The Nub Maduro was one of those cigars that I don't have any real negative or positive feelings for. It's a fine cigar but, as I was merrily puffing along, I found that I was waiting for the end of the cigar to come along. It's just a boring cigar. 2.5 points #
• Pre-Smoke Sitting in my humidor this cigar did not look like much. The band is unassuming and the cigar is well crafted but rustic. Some oils on the dark US Connecticut Broadleaf wrapper give me hope even though the cigar seems a touch too soft throughout.There seems to be a slight box press to this cigar. I am smoking the La Riqueza #4, which is a robusto measuring 5" x 48. The binder and filler come from Nicaragua. This cigar should cost you about $9.00 per stick. Smoke Leather and tobacco with a meaty aftertaste. After the halfway point there is an herbal flavor. Some bitterness is evident on the tip of my tongue - not a negative in this case. It starts out a lot better than it finishes. The beginning is an explosion of flavor that is very enjoyable. The second half becomes harsh at times but it still has it moments. This is a medium bodied cigar with a good draw and an uneven burn. After-Smoke Truthfully, after the first couple of inches I was getting really excited about this cigar. The flavors were very enjoyable. I just guess I was expecting more from a cigar that costs nearly ten dollars. 3.5 points #