As Esteban Carreras is the new manufacturer sponsor of the show I co-host, I thought it only fitting that I take a crack at smoking and reviewing their latest blend. It is well known that I am no fan of torpedoes, so this cigar already has some strikes against it. I have enjoyed almost all of the blends from this manufacturer before, with the exception of the Connecticut offering, so I am thinking this one might be worthy of some praise as well. Alas, one can never tell until flame hits leaf.
The cigar is nice looking, aside from the vitola, it is a very light brown and it is not festooned with crazy band work or other gadgetry that makes me want to toss my lunch. Instead this cigar gets credit for being simple and elegant in appearance as it only has a small band around the foot of the smoke. It is presented, box and small band, in white. I have always heard that white is a danger color in the cigar industry, but I think it is regal looking, besides who can argue with the success of Davidoff or Illusione? Both of those cigars are presented with white bands and they do well. Sometimes this industry makes me giggle. The wrapper looks nice, but the cap is sloppy and there is one very large vein in the middle third that is giving me the hairy eyeball as I give it the same. The pre light aroma is bready with some vanilla tones. The pre light draw shows cedar flavors that border on being sharp.
The cigar opens with a profile that is unexpected but not necessarily profound. The flavor core has some nice notes of sweet vanilla and some floral tones, but the presentation seems thin to me at this point and I am straining to find something deeper. The back of the palate contains a dry cedar tone that is leeching moisture from my mouth and threatening to derail the experience. There is also a dusty texture to the smoke that leaves a filmy coat of cedar remnant on the tongue. This is not the most pleasant open to a cigar that I have ever head, but neither is it the most unpleasant which is all I can say in the way of an endorsement at this point. The draw is a bit tight, as I find most vitolas of this nature to be, but it is not causing me any huge concerns. The burn is solid in the opening third.
The first half of the cigar does show some development. The core profile becomes a more deep and concentrated presentation of vanilla, bread and some floral tones and they have a nice balance, all though I would like some spice to take down some of the sweet impressions here. The back of the palate continues to show a strong cedar presence, but there is a nice crisp tobacco note here that is taking some of the sharpness out the cedar notes. The draw continues to be slightly laborious, but I am trudging onward like a good cigar soldier. The burn is still sharp and there are no areas on concern it that arena.
The final half of the smoke is flat. I really look for development in the home stretch and this cigar just does not deliver the goods for some reason. The profile is locked in stasis. The core maintains vanilla, bread and light floral tastes and I still find myself yearning for some spice to punch up the interest and take out some sweetness, but it never arrives and I end up with a smoke that is too sweet for me. The back of the palate again sharpens into a strong cedar presentation, but at least this time it's not as dry as on the first pass. The draw does open up in the final third, which is nice, but I would have liked it to happen much sooner. The burn is acceptable right to the end.
The finish smacks of cedar and leaves the palate a little bit too dry for my tastes.
Appearance- 87 a nice looking smoke
Taste- 86 just too short in the complexity and depth department, but there were some nice flavors here
Construction- 84 the draw was too tight for me
Strength- 88 a very nice medium
Overall- 85.75 slightly above average, but not my favorite blend from this manufacturer
Showing posts with label torpedo. Show all posts
Showing posts with label torpedo. Show all posts
Tuesday, May 22, 2012
Thursday, June 9, 2011
Arganese CL3 Torpedo (6.875x52)
I will give you a rundown of the circumstances that led me to choose this cigar from the oft perused, but recently much maligned singles trays. It was hot and I was looking forward to a White Sox game on the lanai with some scotch and a smoke. I hate it when the heat claims one of my puros so I often look for something sturdy and less expensive for summer lanai smoking dalliances. This cigar seemed to fit the bill for me, it had the appropriate visage of mediocrity for the circumstances, and I always know that a poor cigar is better than no cigar at all.
The cigar presents in a lopsided torpedo presentation with a wrapper that could only be described as rustic at best and downright cheap at worst. There is a dryness that permeates this cigar from first sight to first touch and I am concerned that exposing it to the heat will cause it to unfurl like a New Year's Eve party favor. The construction seems loose to me, but I don't think it is terrible based on the inspection. The pre light draw is loose and full of cardboard notes. The pre light aroma is grassy and vegetal.
The cigar opens with a profile that can only be described as drying hay. The smoke is exceptionally dry and I find myself heading for the water bottle. There are some hints of sweet spice here, but the predominant flavor is of dry grass and dust. At the back of the palate there are some very slight cedar notes, but they can't get past the dry front of the palate to materialize into anything magical, or even mundane. The draw is too loose, but there are no issues at this point. The burn is acceptable, but the ash is flaky and loose.
The first half of the smoke shows no development at all. The profile continues to be grassy and dry, so dry in fact that my throat is becoming a barren wasteland in need of irrigation. At the back of the palate there are some bitter notes that are creeping in, and some very dry wood flavors that are not very appealing. There is nothing that is redeeming about this smoke to this point. The draw is still too loose and the burn is still flaky and dry.
The final half of the smoke continues it's death march. The profile has plunged to the depths of dryness and the flavor has become acrid and putrid. There are few readily identifiable flavors here, but I am still detecting dry grassy notes. The back of the palate is still showing bitter flavors and not much else that would lead to make any passing comment, either positive or negative. The burn and draw stay the same as noted above throughout the smoke.
The finish is short, bitter and full of dry grass and hay flavors.
Appearance- 82 very rustic and cheap looking
Taste- 73 nothing here worth much of anything
Construction- 75 the draw was too loose and the burn was flaky and messy
Strength- 85 a very non-descript mild/medium
Overall- 77.25 a very poor smoke
The cigar presents in a lopsided torpedo presentation with a wrapper that could only be described as rustic at best and downright cheap at worst. There is a dryness that permeates this cigar from first sight to first touch and I am concerned that exposing it to the heat will cause it to unfurl like a New Year's Eve party favor. The construction seems loose to me, but I don't think it is terrible based on the inspection. The pre light draw is loose and full of cardboard notes. The pre light aroma is grassy and vegetal.
The cigar opens with a profile that can only be described as drying hay. The smoke is exceptionally dry and I find myself heading for the water bottle. There are some hints of sweet spice here, but the predominant flavor is of dry grass and dust. At the back of the palate there are some very slight cedar notes, but they can't get past the dry front of the palate to materialize into anything magical, or even mundane. The draw is too loose, but there are no issues at this point. The burn is acceptable, but the ash is flaky and loose.
The first half of the smoke shows no development at all. The profile continues to be grassy and dry, so dry in fact that my throat is becoming a barren wasteland in need of irrigation. At the back of the palate there are some bitter notes that are creeping in, and some very dry wood flavors that are not very appealing. There is nothing that is redeeming about this smoke to this point. The draw is still too loose and the burn is still flaky and dry.
The final half of the smoke continues it's death march. The profile has plunged to the depths of dryness and the flavor has become acrid and putrid. There are few readily identifiable flavors here, but I am still detecting dry grassy notes. The back of the palate is still showing bitter flavors and not much else that would lead to make any passing comment, either positive or negative. The burn and draw stay the same as noted above throughout the smoke.
The finish is short, bitter and full of dry grass and hay flavors.
Appearance- 82 very rustic and cheap looking
Taste- 73 nothing here worth much of anything
Construction- 75 the draw was too loose and the burn was flaky and messy
Strength- 85 a very non-descript mild/medium
Overall- 77.25 a very poor smoke
Monday, February 14, 2011
Don Gonzalez Signature Selection Torpedo (5.75x54)
Most of you already know that I am no fan of the torpedo, it is just a size that does nothing for me. This cigar continues to my boutique journey of late, a journey that I am considering nixing in favor of some smokeable cigars. This particular smoke was given to me by a friend after he picked some up in Dallas over Super Bowl weekend. I admit that I had never heard of this smoke, so I did some research and found that it is a very boutique offering that has some insertion into the discount cigar houses.
The cigar itself is quite a densely packed log. The wrapper is dry and shows some areas that are rough and bumpy, like chicken skin (the chicken reference at this point becomes very apropos later in the smoke). The construction is firm and I am concerned about potential draw and burn problems. The pre light aroma is wickedly full of harsh and sour wood notes. The pre light draw is also sour, but imparts some light spice onto the palate.
The cigar opens with a profile that is mostly non-descript. There are some light spice notes and some ideas of dark wood and earth in the foreground, but they are not particularly interesting, deep or complex. At the back of the palate there is some hint of a wood flavor, but there is an odd metallic taste here that is very off putting. The draw is too tight for me at this point and I am considering cutting off the torpedo part and making my own parejo. The burn is ok, but a touch slow on one side and I fear that a runner may be forthcoming.
The first half of the cigar really does nothing for me. The profile is weak and lacking in depth, complexity and flavor. There is a very pedestrian presentation of grassy flavors with some wood and earth mixed in, but the overall impression is poor. At the back of the palate the metallic taste has transitioned into a mouthful of pennies, or at least that I what it tastes like to me. The draw is still suffering and the burn has gone full run, which requires me to make some touch ups.
The final half of the cigar is a keening death bell and I can't wait for this disaster to come to a close. The profile becomes so dry and bitter that I now know what Elaine meant in Seinfeld while when smoking the Producto Del Peru she said it was like smoking a chicken bone. Chicken bone fits here as well, the cigar is just really poor. At the back of the palate there are some shows of earth and tobacco flavors, but the dryness from the front is ruining any possibility here. The draw and burn were below average throughout.
Another real rocket my friends...Stay away from this one, far....far....away...
Appearance- 87 a somewhat attractive smoke
Taste- 72 some very poor qualities here that led to little redeeming value
Construction- 77 burn and draw problems equal a low score
Strength- 85 a middling middle
Overall- 78.25 bad, bad, bad, bad, bad....
The cigar itself is quite a densely packed log. The wrapper is dry and shows some areas that are rough and bumpy, like chicken skin (the chicken reference at this point becomes very apropos later in the smoke). The construction is firm and I am concerned about potential draw and burn problems. The pre light aroma is wickedly full of harsh and sour wood notes. The pre light draw is also sour, but imparts some light spice onto the palate.
The cigar opens with a profile that is mostly non-descript. There are some light spice notes and some ideas of dark wood and earth in the foreground, but they are not particularly interesting, deep or complex. At the back of the palate there is some hint of a wood flavor, but there is an odd metallic taste here that is very off putting. The draw is too tight for me at this point and I am considering cutting off the torpedo part and making my own parejo. The burn is ok, but a touch slow on one side and I fear that a runner may be forthcoming.
The first half of the cigar really does nothing for me. The profile is weak and lacking in depth, complexity and flavor. There is a very pedestrian presentation of grassy flavors with some wood and earth mixed in, but the overall impression is poor. At the back of the palate the metallic taste has transitioned into a mouthful of pennies, or at least that I what it tastes like to me. The draw is still suffering and the burn has gone full run, which requires me to make some touch ups.
The final half of the cigar is a keening death bell and I can't wait for this disaster to come to a close. The profile becomes so dry and bitter that I now know what Elaine meant in Seinfeld while when smoking the Producto Del Peru she said it was like smoking a chicken bone. Chicken bone fits here as well, the cigar is just really poor. At the back of the palate there are some shows of earth and tobacco flavors, but the dryness from the front is ruining any possibility here. The draw and burn were below average throughout.
Another real rocket my friends...Stay away from this one, far....far....away...
Appearance- 87 a somewhat attractive smoke
Taste- 72 some very poor qualities here that led to little redeeming value
Construction- 77 burn and draw problems equal a low score
Strength- 85 a middling middle
Overall- 78.25 bad, bad, bad, bad, bad....
Monday, October 19, 2009
Savinelli Special Selection 2005 Torpedo
This cigar presents as a giant torpedo with a slightly lopsided look and a slightly rounded head. The wrapper looks dark and bold, but there are some prominent veins and some minor wrapper flaws. The pre light aroma is fruity and has notes of tobacco and spice. The pre light draw is sweet and has hints of fruit.
Upon lighting this cigar begins to deliver notes of tobacco, spice and dark fruit. The draw is decent and the burn begins well. I detect a slight bitter note at the back of the palate, but it is not prominent or overwhelming. The first inch and a half of the cigar performs well, but I am hoping for some development in the final two thirds.
The middle third of the cigar continues to show notes of tobacco and fruit. There is some further development of a tobacco note, but the flavors are shallow and thready. The draw has stayed consistent, but the burn has started to run a bit, but does not yet require attention.
The final third of the cigar continues to show the run that was beginning in the middle third, but I am still trying to smoke through it. The profile has begun to show notes of pepper, tobacco and earth. There is still a bitterness through the nose and at the back of the palate. The draw and burn stayed consistent throughout.
The finish is short and a bit acrid, it shows notes of pepper and tobacco.
Appearance- 84 not the most attractive of cigars
Taste- 83 some bitter notes and a poor finish hurt the score, but the profile showed promise
Construction- 83 some burn issues hurt the score
Strength- 86 an unremarkable medium/full
Overall- 84 a slightly below average offering
Upon lighting this cigar begins to deliver notes of tobacco, spice and dark fruit. The draw is decent and the burn begins well. I detect a slight bitter note at the back of the palate, but it is not prominent or overwhelming. The first inch and a half of the cigar performs well, but I am hoping for some development in the final two thirds.
The middle third of the cigar continues to show notes of tobacco and fruit. There is some further development of a tobacco note, but the flavors are shallow and thready. The draw has stayed consistent, but the burn has started to run a bit, but does not yet require attention.
The final third of the cigar continues to show the run that was beginning in the middle third, but I am still trying to smoke through it. The profile has begun to show notes of pepper, tobacco and earth. There is still a bitterness through the nose and at the back of the palate. The draw and burn stayed consistent throughout.
The finish is short and a bit acrid, it shows notes of pepper and tobacco.
Appearance- 84 not the most attractive of cigars
Taste- 83 some bitter notes and a poor finish hurt the score, but the profile showed promise
Construction- 83 some burn issues hurt the score
Strength- 86 an unremarkable medium/full
Overall- 84 a slightly below average offering
Sunday, October 11, 2009
Toro y Leon Reserva Especial Torpedo
This is a motley looking cigar, that has a lopsided roll and a rough looking exterior. The cigar seems to be a bit dry, but I can find no other flaws and the roll seems well done and without soft or firm spots. The pre light aroma is full of cedary tones, with a undertone of light spice. The pre light draw hints of light spice as well.
The cigar opens well with fully developed notes of cedar and a hint of light spice at the back of the palate. The burn is solid and the draw is smooth and easy. After about a half an inch the cigar begins to show some grassy notes that detract from the experience.
Just before the half way point the profile is overwhelmed with notes of grass, there is still a cedary core but it is getting lost in the grassy overtones. The burn has stayed solid and the draw is still acceptable.
The final half of the cigar shows some fine notes of cedar, light spice and vanilla. There are still some thin grassy notes at the back of the palate, but they have faded in the late stages. The draw and burn stay strong throughout.
The finish is short and thready. There are notes of grass, vegetation, cedar and spice.
Appearance- 77 this really is an ugly cigar
Taste- 83 the grassy notes hurt the score, but there were some nice notes present
Construction- 88 the cigar performs well, but the lopsided build hurt the score
Strength- 80 an unremarkable medium presentation that needs more power
Overall- 82 this could have been much better, but still has some redeeming qualities
The cigar opens well with fully developed notes of cedar and a hint of light spice at the back of the palate. The burn is solid and the draw is smooth and easy. After about a half an inch the cigar begins to show some grassy notes that detract from the experience.
Just before the half way point the profile is overwhelmed with notes of grass, there is still a cedary core but it is getting lost in the grassy overtones. The burn has stayed solid and the draw is still acceptable.
The final half of the cigar shows some fine notes of cedar, light spice and vanilla. There are still some thin grassy notes at the back of the palate, but they have faded in the late stages. The draw and burn stay strong throughout.
The finish is short and thready. There are notes of grass, vegetation, cedar and spice.
Appearance- 77 this really is an ugly cigar
Taste- 83 the grassy notes hurt the score, but there were some nice notes present
Construction- 88 the cigar performs well, but the lopsided build hurt the score
Strength- 80 an unremarkable medium presentation that needs more power
Overall- 82 this could have been much better, but still has some redeeming qualities
Sunday, August 16, 2009
Padilla Miami 8 and 11 Torpedo
While I am not a torpedo enthusiast I was excited to smoke this cigar. I have not seen one in a retail store for nearly two years and had not smoked one in at least that length of time. No longer available, this is a cigar that should be sorely missed by enthusiasts everywhere. It presents with a beautiful medium brown wrapper that has not a single flaw. The construction appears to be superior as I detect no soft spots or hard areas, the cigar is supple and firm. The pre light aroma is replete with cedar and light tobacco and earth. The pre light draw is subtle, but contains a light tobacco note.
The cigar begins in splendid fashion with deep rich notes of tobacco, earth and roasted nuts. The smoke is full and plentiful and coats the palate with a satiny experience. The ash develops nicely with a medium gray presentation, it is firm and solid. The first couple of inches maintain these characteristics.
At somewhere between the one quarter and one third point a profile change emerges and the cigar begins to show notes of dark wood and a rich flavor of spice mixed with light earth. The ash holds until nearly the half way point, indicative of superlative construction.
The final third of the cigar reveals further complexity and depth. There are notes of earth and rich tobacco, accompanied by spice and roasted nuts. There are no burn flaws and the cigar performs in magnificent fashion.
The finish is long and leaves lingering notes of rich tobacco and earth. This cigar was a transcendant experience.
Appearance- 96 visually stunning
Taste- 97 a wonderful display of depth and complexity
Construction- 98 superlative, particularly for a torpedo, a vitola that experiences many issues
Strength- 93 a wonderful medium/full experience, I expected a bit more here
Overall- 96 this cigar is a classic and I will miss it.
The cigar begins in splendid fashion with deep rich notes of tobacco, earth and roasted nuts. The smoke is full and plentiful and coats the palate with a satiny experience. The ash develops nicely with a medium gray presentation, it is firm and solid. The first couple of inches maintain these characteristics.
At somewhere between the one quarter and one third point a profile change emerges and the cigar begins to show notes of dark wood and a rich flavor of spice mixed with light earth. The ash holds until nearly the half way point, indicative of superlative construction.
The final third of the cigar reveals further complexity and depth. There are notes of earth and rich tobacco, accompanied by spice and roasted nuts. There are no burn flaws and the cigar performs in magnificent fashion.
The finish is long and leaves lingering notes of rich tobacco and earth. This cigar was a transcendant experience.
Appearance- 96 visually stunning
Taste- 97 a wonderful display of depth and complexity
Construction- 98 superlative, particularly for a torpedo, a vitola that experiences many issues
Strength- 93 a wonderful medium/full experience, I expected a bit more here
Overall- 96 this cigar is a classic and I will miss it.
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