These cigars are made by Tabacos de la Cordillera in Puriscal, Costa Rica. Headed up by John Vogel, they produce cigars using “genetically pure,” pre-embargo Cuban seeds. Although not grown in Cuba, they will give you an idea of how the “Old World” Cuban cigars used to taste.

This cigar is a generous Toro shaped stogie that possesses a flawless light chestnut-brown wrapper that is lightly boxed-pressed. The veins are tight and almost indiscernible. The pre-light aroma displays notes of sweet hay and toasted nuts. No soft spots or under-filling were noted, as this appeared to be a well constructed cigar.

I gently clip the cap and take a pre-light pull. The draw is firm and deliberate with notes of sweet hay. As I begin to toast the foot with my Colibri Don lighter, I am careful just to toast, but not char these delicate tobaccos, since it can place an undesirable flavor into the taste of the cigar. After toasting the foot, I take some light pulls until I get a nice evenly burning ember.

The cigar starts out with ample amounts of smoke and with flavors of sweet hay and nuts. Nuances of nutmeg and hints of cinnamon complement the experience. As I continue to the halfway point, these flavors give-way as the blend takes on flavors of wood and coffee. These flavors tend to dominate the remainder of the smoke. This Toro was mild-medium in body, and provided a short, “woody” finish.

The ash was a nice salt and pepper color that was razor-sharp. I let it hang on until the 1-inch mark, then gently brushed it off. The wrapper showed signs of blistering just beyond the burn line during the entire smoke. Although I was disappointed to see this, it did not hinder the burn, nor affect the flavor.

These cigars possess some unique characters that can be missed if you smoke it like a “Ligero Bomb”. Slow, easy pulls will allow you to experience these light flavors, whereas heavy pulls will overheat the fillers, giving you an unwanted charred taste. This is a great morning cigar best enjoyed while reading and sipping coffee. I highly recommend having this in your humidor collection. We’ll rate this one again in three months.

~ Blake