Carlos Torano Exodus “50 Years”

Cigar Name: Carlos Torano Exodus “50 Years”
Wrapper: Brazilian Arapiraca
Binder: Nicaragua
Filler: Nicaragua
Size: Robusto 5” x 50

Strength: Medium - Full
Body: Medium - Full
Price: $6.80 Each

Smoking Time: One hour

Carlos Torano, in my opinion, has always made an excellent cigar.  For whatever reason though, it is rarely in my humidor.  Maybe it is because their marketing is subdued.  I just don’t know.  I do know that whenever I have had one, it has been a pleasant experience.  That is when I picked up this 5-pack from Cigarbid.com, I knew I would be happy.     

Appearance: The wrapper is a maduro with a toothy appearance.  There is some oil to it and has some heft to it.  The Bronze colored label is very cool as well.    9/10

Construction: Well made, no flaws, soft spots or concerns.      10/10

Burn:   Flawless.        10/10

Aroma:  Prelight there wasn’t much.  Maybe some coffee.  Post light there some chocolate and more coffee.  8/10

Draw: Good.  No issues, just very consistent.       10/10

Flavor: Chocolate with a little bit of peat moss and soil.        8/10

Availability: I have not seen these in any locals but I know they can get them.  They are all over the internet.      8/10

Personal Overall Experience: Torano cigars remind me of a good friend.  Dependable, consistent and there when you need them.  The Exodus 50^th is no exception.  I really will try to make it a point to get more of these.      26/30

Total: 89/100

Matt

New Havana Cigar – ELO1

Cigar Name: New Havana Cigar – ELO1
Wrapper: Habano Ecuador
Binder: Nicaragua
Filler: Nicaragua
Size: No 1 (Toro) 6.25” x 52
Strength: Full
Body: Full
Price: $130/20 (bundle)

Smoking Time: One and a half hours

Ever since I have become a fan of Tatuaje cigars, I have been a fan of New Havana Cigar.  They are a small shop in Cleveland, OH with a big internet presence.  For whatever reason, they always seem to get large amounts of Tatuaje limited release and overruns (more on that later).  Now, I am all about a great cigar, but I do hate some of these marketing ploys to charge more for a “limited” release just because it seems like a good idea to make an extra buck.  That being said, you can find some good deals out there and this is one of them.  The ELO1 is actually the “same” cigar as the Verocu #1 Lado Occidental from Tatuaje in 2008.  You won’t find that written anywhere, but if you read between the lines, that is what it is.  I don’t know if this is an overrun, they found extra leaf and make these, these were already made and they found them buried in the warehouse or if the cigar fairy just waved her wand and “poof”.  Whatever the reason, this is the best tasting cigar I have had all year.  

Appearance: There is no band on this cigar but it has an oily, milk chocolate wrapper.  There are no visible flaws and it is good looking cigar, not great, but good.  8/10

Construction: No soft spots, just an even, solidly built cigar.  9/10

Burn:   The first half of the cigar is great, but on every one of the cigars that I have had, the last half has needed touchups.  Nothing terrible but just a little annoying.  However, I believe it is du to the massive amounts of Ligero in the last half.     7/10

Aroma:  Chocolate, leather, salt.    10/10

Draw: Excellent.     10/10

Flavor: The flavors coming out of this were somewhat overwhelming.  They were just coming at me from every direction.  It was a rollercoaster of a ride.  Salt, lots of earth, chocolate notes, hopps (fruity).  Just AMAZING!  10/10

Availability: Sold out. I will say, for the price per cigar, it wasn’t bad.  This is just one of those limited availability things.         5/10

Personal Overall Experience: I am going to savor every one of these suckers.  The first 3-4 I had were knock me on my arse strong.  And I love full bodied cigars.  They have mellowed over the last few months, but not by much.  Holy cow, this is an excellent cigar.  I have never had one so full flavored.  I wish I could give this a higher score overall, but with the availability, I just can’t.            30/30.

Total: 89/100

Matt