Monday, December 31, 2007

Carlos Toraño Signature Collection

Carlos Toraño Signature Collection robusto
$5.50 single, Size: 5", Ring: 52
Brazilian maduro wrapper, USA Connecticut binder, Dominican and Nicaraguan ligero fillers

Once in a while, you just fall into good fortune, despite your best efforts. I fell into this fine cigar on Christmas Eve, and thought I'd save it for my New Years Eve smoke. Hat's off to my generous colleague, Uncle Booga.

Toraño's Signature Collection has a sun-grown Brazilian wrapper, and Dominican and Nicaraguan ligero fillers wrapped in a broadleaf binder. With the Toraño band and a cedar sleeve, this cigar looks and feels classy.

The Brazilian wrapper's a lovely chocolate brown and looks a bit rough, showing some sharp veins and a toothy feel. After punching, the smooth draw confirms the look and feel that this cigar is well-stuffed with tobacco. A solid, white ash held for two inches before the initial drop, and over an inch afterwards. This robusto took a bit over an hour to smoke.

After toasting the foot, I was greeted with rich plumes of smoke with a mild, sweet cedar and leather flavors. Once the first inch was past, the flavor became a little stronger, nearer medium-bodied, and stayed there for the rest of the smoke. Halfway, a light spice appears on the palate for a medium finish. I had the impression that this cigar had been aged well, with nicely rounded flavors that belie the ligero tobaccos used in the filler.

The Signature Collection robusto is a nicely balanced, mild to medium cigar that should entertain all but the fussiest cigar enthusiasts.


Cigar Jack smoked a Signature Collection Perfecto in May 2007.

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