Wrapper: Connecticut Broadleaf

Binder: Dominican

Filler: Dominican

Size: 6 x 56  “Gran Toro”

Body: Medium

Price: $24.00  MSRP

Now I rarely buy a cigar this expensive. And I can’t remember the last time I spent $24 on a stick. But I choked and bid and won the cigar on Cbid for a little over $17.

I showed no discipline and smoked the first one a week after I got it and it was a $6 cigar.

Cbid was out of stock so the second one I won came a week later. This stick has now been marinating for about a month. My fingers are crossed because I am more concerned about enjoying this cigar than reviewing it.

The cigar looks like the candy bar in the pool in “Caddyshack.” It’s almost black, lumpy, veins everywhere, seams that are not very tight, and wrapper coming loose. So far, so good. LOL.

I sniff it and there is a definite cocoa and cedar aroma. Also a bit of spice.

The cigar feels so fragile, I am afraid to clip the cap. But here goes…I use the smallest V cutter I have and there are no issues.

It starts with an earthy flavor. There is some leather and wood and a bit of nuts. I get some sweetness that offsets those savory flavors. No spice. Hmmm. And then comes the cocoa.

This is a really big cigar. And I expect a good 2 hours from it. Smoke begins to spew like a volcano and the char line is perfect.

At the half inch mark, the flavors become more distinct and interesting. And here comes the red pepper.

I have to tell you that at this point, and I do remember it has only been aged one month in my humidor, that this $24 stick tastes like a really good $9-$10 stick. Maybe after aging a year something miraculous happens. I don’t know.

This photo of the stick shows how the cigar actually looks like a fallen log in the forest. I would expect better construction or maybe the reason they were on Cbid was because of just this: Lousy condition.

I get a nice fruity flavor at a little over an inch. Black raisins. That is very nice as it gives a face to the sweetness. The body is a mild medium at this point. The flavors are identifiable but muted.

The cocoa is moving to the forefront in conjunction with more spiciness. On a totally different topic, last night I lit up an inexpensive Cu-Avana Punisher from CI. It was so spicy that it burned my lips. I’m not kidding. It burned my lips. I had to put it down.

OK, I’m back. It’s 35 minutes later.

I start the second third and the flavor experience has unfolded nicely. The complexity that the blenders intended for us to experience is showing up with a great flavor profile. Nothing has been added, but increased in intensity. I love the sweet raisin and cocoa. So far, there is no creaminess. Some espresso arrives to make a mocha mix. The body is increasing to a classic medium and a bit beyond.

The burn has gotten really ragged. I half expected that based on the shape of the cigar with the lumps and wrapper issues. I’ve corrected it once and I believe I must do it again. It’s a real mess now.

I am disappointed. Selling a stick for this kind of dough….it should have been perfect in every dimension. I can name 20 cigars at less than half this price that are better. Maybe 40.

In a way, I am glad that I am reviewing instead of really looking forward to it on a special occasion. This way, I can report to you and it forces me to finish the cigar.

I think this is a single cap but that just can’t be. The whole cap comes off at the halfway point…leaving binder exposed. I dissect the cap that came off to look for additional layers. There are none. There are no additional changes to the cigar.

Fuente is old school and millions of people swear by them. Personally, I don’t get it. I have smoked every Fuente out there and the only one I truly enjoy is the Don Carlos. I think it is the most flavorful of the line. And I refuse to get sucked into the latest and newest God of Fire blend that shows up each year. This is pure marketing at the extreme. But I understand that pulling out a God of Fire with friends is a status symbol designed to make your buddies jealous. Good naturedly, of course.

The ash begins to cone. Not a lot. But I think they grabbed a No. 3 Torcedor to roll this one.

I’m into the last third and not a lick of creaminess to the stick. I think this is very unusual. I must be smoking this cigar way too soon. It needs 6 months, at least. I am rationalizing for the cigar’s behavior. Of course, waiting wouldn’t have solved the terrible construction issue. The cigar is still a medium bodied stick.

I’m getting tired of smoking this cigar. And as I type this, some creaminess shows up.

Boredom makes me put the cigar down with a couple inches to spare.

If this was a blind taste test, I’d say it was a poorly constructed boutique cigar with a small flavor profile and little, to none, complexity. Value? $6.00

Maybe you’ve had a better experience. I hope so.

Categories: CIGAR REVIEWS