Blind Cigar Review: Carlos Toraño | The Brick BFC

Vital Stats:

Vitola: Double Toro
Length: 6″
Ring Gauge: 60
Country of Origin: Nicaragua
Wrapper: Ecuadorian Sumatra
Binder: Honduras
Filler: Hondurans and Nicaragua
Factory: Undisclosed
Blender: Charlie Toraño
Number of reviewers: 4—–Craig (WyldKnyght) Paul (pmr1010) Wes (SosaCub4Life) Jiunn (jliu)
Price: $4.96
Age: 5 Months
Release Date: July 2014
Contributed by: Toraño

Initial Impressions

Appearance: 91

“A wide rectangular box pressed shape with a thin wrapper, this was a good looking cigar. I’m usually not a huge fan of box pressed cigars, but this was a good looking one. The cap looked good as did the seams and there were no bumps or lumps, but as I said, the wrapper looked very thin. Not a bad thing, just an observation.” –Paul (pmr1010)

Aroma: 90

“There were some nice aromas from this cigar. On the wrapper I got some coffee and chocolate, the foot had more coffee and on the dry puff I got a taste of sweetness.” –Craig (WyldKnyght)

First Third

Flavor: 93
Strength: Medium
Body/Complexity: Medium

“The first third was very mild with a light tobacco flavor. The draw was very easy, almost too easy. There was a lot of smoke. The wrapper was a little flimsy as it cracked as soon as I cut it.” –Craig (WyldKnyght)

“Right out of the gate, tasty notes of lightly roasted nuts, sweet cream, bread/yeast and faint white pepper. For once, I wish there was more pepper. Luckily, through the retrohale, just the right amount of pepper comes through. I can’t quite pinpoint it but I think I get baking spice notes. First third ends the same as the way it started. Nice!” –Jiunn (jliu)

Second Third

Flavor: 90
Strength: Medium
Body/Complexity: Medium

“The strength remained medium through the second third, but the flavors increased in number and strength throughout this cigar. The cocoa and leather were joined by coffee and traditional tobacco flavors and the Earth flavor reduced. At around the midpoint of the of the second third, a tanginess began to show up which I totally didn’t see coming. The ash remained slightly flaky and light gray in color but got a little more fragile in the second third. Flavors were very good.” –Paul (pmr1010)

“Second third is fairly similar to the first third. Still taste the great sweet cream and bread/yeast notes. Nicotine slightly increased but by no means giving me a head rush (it’s pretty nice and relaxing actually). Starting to pick up quite a bit of coffee and cream towards the later half of the second third.” –Jiunn (jliu)

Final Third

Flavor: 92
Strength: Medium
Body/Complexity: Medium

“This cigar did a mirror image of itself on the way out that it did starting up except without the slightly harsh and powerful first few puffs. The tanginess and salty leather flavors that developed in the second third reversed and became the cocoa and coffee flavors from the first third. There were also some clove notes as well in the final third that I picked up as well as some nice roasted nuts. The burn line was clean and even throughout the cigar.” –Paul (pmr1010)

“I will say again that I didn’t notice any major shifts in flavor throughout all of the thirds of the cigar. The last third has been the same as the rest for me. But overall, it was a good last third that I enjoyed and had some good spice. The burn got off a bit during this last third, but the cigar always continued to produce lots of great smoke and flavor.” –Wes (SosaCub4Life)

Overall Impressions

Draw: 93

“I didn’t have any problems with the draw, maybe it was just a touch on the loose side but really nothing at all to complain about.” –Wes (SosaCub4Life)

Burn: 89

“The entire cigar burned with no re-lights required. The ash was flowery the entire cigar but no complaints as none fell on my lap.” –Jiunn (jliu)

Construction: 90

“Construction was very good. The cigar looked great and burned great. Ash held on very well and there were no problems at all smoking this stick.” –Wes (SosaCub4Life)

Overall Strength: Medium
Overall Body/Complexity: Medium
Overall Experience: 89

“Overall, this cigar was not bad for flavor, but was diminished by the construction issues. I would probably try it again if I got another one.” –Craig (WyldKnyght)

“As I said earlier, box pressed cigars are not usually my go to cigar. However, this was a nicely made cigar and it smoked very well. If some of the more expensive cigars tasted like this and were this easy to smoke it would justify their prices. This was a very good cigar!” –Paul (pmr1010)

“This cigar has been very good. Although there didn’t seem to be any major transitions during the smoke, overall, it was very enjoyable. I can’t say anything bad about it and I would definitely smoke this one again.” –Wes (SosaCub4Life)

“First review of 2015, and overall, it was a good one. I enjoyed flavors of roasted nuts, coffee and sweet cream quite a bit. Although I enjoyed these flavors, being a cigar that is about 6 inches or so, by the middle of the cigar, I began to get bored of it. More complexity and changes would have been the ticket to making this cigar a great one. Good way to start my 2015 reviews nonetheless!” –Jiunn (jliu)
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Smoking Time (in minutes): 75

Edit

Reviewer	Appearance	Aroma	1/3	2/3	3/3	Draw	Burn	Constr.	Overall
Craig	85	90	88	85	80	85	88	83	88
Paul	95	90	95	92	92	93	92	92	92
Wes	97	90	97	95	95	97	97	97	95
Jiunn	88	85	90	88	88	93	88	88	88

To view the complete scores and notes, click here.
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Blind Cigar Review: Toraño | The Brick BFC