MAY 2002

Corona

5.5" x 44

This month we are pleased to share with you what we feel is one finest smokes in the world today. Ashton cigars are carefully crafted by the Fuente family at the Tabacalera A. Fuente in the Dominican Republic. Under the watchful eye of both Carlos Fuente, Sr. and Carlos Fuente, Jr., this delicious cigar is crafted using expertly cured 3-5 year old Dominican binder and filler tobaccos. Aston's corona is wrapped in a beautiful golden brown Connecticut shade wrapper. We found this mild to medium-bodied cigar to consistently deliver a smooth, distinctive, rich and complex flavor. Note a creamy smoothness on the palate with a slight herbal quality. Try pairing it with a hoppy India Pale Ale or very dry Chardonnay.

Strenth:  5
Panel Rating:  95

Torpedo

6.5" x 52

The Cubana Especial is a highly praised Dominican line produced in Santiago. The brand is currently offered only in the ruddy Rosado Colorado Maduro Ecuadorian wrapper that encases the Torpedo featured this month. Unlike many emerging cigar brands which merely trek to cigar-making countries to buy cigars, create their own band and call them "their own", Cubana Especial owns their farms and factory which are both 100% dedicated to producing only for their line of cigars. All of their cigars use Habano Seco leaves for filler. The Cubana Especial tobaccos are aged for 36 months prior to rolling and the cigars are aged another 6 months after being rolled. Immediately note a near perfect draw in this well constructed cigar. No soft spots, consistently rolled and soft to the touch, we found it to burn evenly and offer plenty of smoke volume. We really liked this cigar, finding it medium-to-full bodied with a pleasant mildly spicy flavor. You may also pick up on some cedar and coffee tones. Look for a slight bite in the aftertaste. Overall, a very easy cigar to smoke offering solid construction and great taste. Consider pairing it with a hoppy Pale Ale.

Strenth:  6
Panel Rating:  89

Toro

6" x 52

Puros Indios, simply put, is a great cigar line. It's been argued as one of the finest brands in the cigar world. Carefully blended by Rolando Reyes and hand-rolled in Honduras using Dominican & Nicaraguan filler and draped in a rich and oily Ecuadorian wrapper, the brand is almost always rated very highly. Rated up to '91' by Cigar Aficionado, the magazine's editors raved: "A medium- to full-bodied powerhouse. There are complex flavors of cocoa, leather and solid woodiness on the finish. Nice sheen and color, and it performed well."

Well, our panel members are all big fans as well. The Toro Especial is constructed from a complex blend of aged tobaccos from Ecuador, Brazil, Dominican Republic, Jamaica and Nicaragua. We found it to offer a slightly spicy, medium to full-bodied flavor. Look for solid construction, a good burn, and slightly firm draw. And how about that ring gauge?! Talk about a cool smoke! Note very little aftertaste. Consider pairing it with Old Forrester Bourbon.

Strenth:  7
Panel Rating:  91

Robusto

4.5" x 50

The Siglo 21 brand, which translates to "21st century in Spanish", are hand rolled in the Dominican Republic and contain a Cuban seed long-filler blend, with an Ecuadorian grown Connecticut shade wrapper and Dominican binder. Siglo 21 cigars are noted for their excellent construction, silky smooth wrappers, firm white ash, and a slow even burn. This Robusto lives up to Siglo's reputation of creating excellent cigars. The flavor is smooth and mellow, with hints of rosemary. Look for a light, cedar finish. You might want to try this one as an after dinner smoke with your favorite single malt scotch or brandy.

Strenth:  6
Panel Rating:  93

Toro

6.75" x 50

Vegas de Guyaguil Regios is a unique hand-rolled, long leaf cigar hand rolled in Ecuador. This premium smoke comes packaged in an attractive, sterling tubo. It sports a handsome sun grown Ecuadorian leaf wrapper and a Dominican-Ecuadorian filler blend. This toro offers an interesting, medium to full-bodied flavor, complex in character and creamy on the palate. It begins mild, and builds steadily in strength as you smoke it. Look for a distinct cedar aroma with plenty of smoke volume. You should get plenty of cedar and some spiciness and a touch of sweetness we'd attribute to the Ecuadorian wrapper. Overall, a fantastic cigar. Rich and packed with flavor. Enjoy it with your favorite single malt scotch, a pinot noir or full-bodied Merlot.

Strenth:  6.5
Panel Rating:  92