NOVEMBER 2002

Torpedo

6.5" x 54

The Toraņo cigars have been around for quite some time, dating back to 1916, when Don Santiago Toraņo arrived in Cuba after moving there from his native Spain. His son Carlos carried on the cigar making tradition in the 1960s and now Don Santiago's grandson and great-grandson continue with the family's cigar making tradition. This cigar commemorates the exodus of Cuban cigar makers from Cuba in 1959. The 1959 Torpedo is a box pressed cigar that is hand made in Nicaragua using a beautiful, dark, Habano 2000 wrapper, binders from Honduras, and filler from the Dominican Republic, Honduras, Mexico, Nicaragua, and Costa Rica. Look for an aroma filled with earthy, herbal tones. This is a medium to full-bodied smoke with cocoa, roasted coffee, and peppery flavors with hints of leather and sweet spices and a sweet finish. Consider pairing this one up with a full-bodied Merlot.

Strenth:  7
Panel Rating:  94

Robusto

5" x 54

The Don Thomas Corojo Robusto has a beautiful presentation; hiding behinds its tissue wrapper, is a beautifully-delicate Honduran Talanga Cubano Corojo wrapper. The dark wrapper is burgundy in color and has an oily, moist look and feel to it. The filler is from Nicaragua and Honduras and the binder is Mexican. We found it was a medium to full bodied smoke, providing lots of rich tobacco flavor, with hints of pepper, nuts, and leather. Look for an easy draw with a spicy, pleasing aroma up front. Its flavor offers some spiciness paired with a wonderful cedar flavor. Note plenty of smoke volume. We loved it! Consider pairing it with your favorite single malt scotch.

Strenth:  6
Panel Rating:  91

Toro

6" x 50

The Onyx Reserve is one of two cigars we are featuring this month from Altadis USA. They are one of the largest cigar producers in the US, they own about 40% of the market share in the United States, and sell over two billion cigars a year. This box-pressed toro's wrapper is made from blackened Connecticut Broadleaf, the binder is from Nicaragua, and the filler is a blend of Dominican, Nicaraguan, and Peruvian long fillers. It is a rich, full-bodied smoke with some leathery tones, slightly peppery, a hint of nuttiness, and toasted characteristics. Overall, a great smoke that will hit your palate from all directions. Consider pairing it with a semi-sweet, woody port or robust, roasted Porter.

Strenth:  6.5
Panel Rating:  93

Pyramid

7.25" x 54

Te Amo is the undisputed "King" of Mexican cigars with a fiercely loyal smoking public. However it goes both ways, for everyone that simply loves this cigar there seems to be another that hates it. The reason is it is a Mexican Puro - so if the taste of Mexican tobacco suits your fancy you will love it, if your don't favor the earthy robust edge of this tobacco, then the brand may not be for you. And that's why we regard it as a "must try" cigar for all. These spicy numbers pack a medium-bodied, cedar punch. In Spanish, Te-Amo means "I Love You," an appropriate message due to the brands enduring popularity. The complex flavor profile offered a hint of spiciness combined with a toasty herbal character and hints of nuts and coffee. Look for a lingering, nutty and spicy aftertaste. Overall, very enjoyable and smokable for any time of the day.

Strenth:  6
Panel Rating:  92

Churchill

7" x 48

The V Centennial was introduced back in 1993. Cuban expatriate, Pedro Martin, created this cigar to commemorate the fifth centennial of the discovery of America, which was also the same time that cigars were introduced to Western Civilization. The tobacco blends of this Churchill are from five different countries, adding another meaning to the use of the V in the name of this cigar; the wrapper is Connecticut Shade from the USA, the filler is from the Dominican Republic, Honduras, and Nicaragua, and the binder is from Mexico. This is a spicy, medium to full bodied cigar. It's woody, with a smooth herbal flavor. Consider pairing this with a strong Imperial Stout, such as Rogue Shakespeare Stout or Stone Imperial Stout.

Strenth:  5.5
Panel Rating:  90