Blind Cigar Review: Carlos Torano | Vault P-044 Robusto

Cigar Info

In May 2016, General Cigar release four new Vault Blends for Toraño. These were on display at  the 2016 IPCPR Trade Show in the General Cigar Company booth at along with their new Exodus line that launched at the show. Today’s review is the Carlos Torano | Vault P-044 Robusto.

In 2011 the Toraño Family Cigars launched the Vault line with three cigars: Toraño Vault A-008 , Toraño Vault D-042, and Toraño Vault VLE100. The story behind this line goes back to 1982 when Carlos Toraño began a recipe book that logged the greater part of the blends since 1982. This book was actually kept carefully guarded in a security store box (i.e. “Vault”). The motivation behind “Mixes from the Vault” arrangement was to return to some of these mixes, change them, and check whether they can become a reality.

Since acquiring the Toraño brands, General Cigar released four new blends in the Vault Series. Two of these are exclusively for brick and mortar and two are for internet catalog. Toraño Vault P-044 (green) and Vault TM-027 (purple) are sold at brick and mortar stores.

P-044 is a Nicaraguan puro with a sun grown wrapper and fillers from Jalapa. All blends come in two sizes, Robusto 5 x 50 and Double Toro 6 x 60, and come in boxes of 20.

Vital Stats:

Vitola: Robusto
Length: 5″
Ring Gauge: 50
Country of Origin: Nicaragua
Wrapper: Sun Grown Jalapa Nicaragua
Binder: Nicaragua
Filler: Nicaragua
Factory: STG Estelí
Blender: Charlie Toraño
Number of reviewers: 4 – Jason H. (Jokey Smurf) Mickey T. (irratebass) Eric (smalls29) Alan (Eulogy)
Price: $5.50
Age: 4 Months
Release Date: May 2016
Contributed by: General Cigar

Initial Impressions

Appearance: 94

“This cigar is sporting an attractive dark chocolate brown wrapper leaf that is expertly applied with tight seams and cap. It doesn’t jump out in the humidor, but it definitely looks like something I want to smoke.” –Jason H. (Jokey Smurf)

Aroma: 93

“The pre-light aroma is a nice sweet leather smell. Very appealing to the nose. Once lit the aroma was smooth and had a nice cedar and spice aroma.” –Eric (smalls29)

First Third

Flavor: 92
Strength: Medium
Body/Complexity: Medium

“The initial flavors are sweet molasses with a finish of black pepper.m the finish is long, and lasts well into the next puff. Don’t get me wrong…the pepper isn’t overpowering like some cigars, it is just a strong hint at this point…I like it.” –Jason H. (Jokey Smurf)

“The first puff I get heavy damp wood, with an oily slickness on my tongue. Medium to full strength & body, and the finish stays with me for quite a few seconds. About 10 mins in and the damp wood flavor is gone, and peanuts have become front and center. The finish still lingers on the end and I still have the oily sickness on my tongue. Almost 30 mins in and the flavor of bread has become front & center. Another almost radical change has shown up and I am getting an almost burning sensation in the back of my throat….strange.” –Mickey T. (irratebass)

Second Third

Flavor: 90
Strength: Medium-Strong
Body/Complexity: Medium-Full

“45 mins in getting the same flavors, but now a damp airy component has shown up that I can’t quite put my finger on yet. The harshness in my throat is gone now though I’m happy to report. I hour in and starting to get light-headed ha ha. My lips and mouth are really dry as well, and I’m drinking water! This is a strong cigar, but I didn’t think it was so strong that I would begin to get light-headed.” –Mickey T. (irratebass)

“Leather, pepper, tobacco, and cedar are all present this third. None are particularly bold but they all do work well together. The smoke output is still very good but missing that creamy mouth feel that I really enjoy.” –Alan (Eulogy)

Final Third

Flavor: 89
Strength: Medium-Strong
Body/Complexity: Medium

“What a way to end a cigar…the peppery flavors have continued but they have morphed into a sweet jalapeño tanginess that is really enjoyable. Don’t get me wrong…I don’t think this is for the faint of heart, up it if you like some deep spicy flavors them this will hit the spot. The retrohale is packed full of zing, but it isn’t unpleasant, and the flavors just keep going. I can feel a bit of nicotine as well, which is relaxing me in just the perfect way. This is definitely in my wheelhouse.” –Jason H. (Jokey Smurf)

“Unfortunately the flavors have all become subdued but re still present and enjoyable. The cinnamon flavor being the most prevalent. Much of the flavors have remained constant now with a nice coffee flavor remaining on the palate.” –Eric (smalls29)

Overall Impressions

Draw: 91

“had really no issues with the draw, except in the final third when it became a little difficult, but after doing the straight cut it opened up nicely. Plenty of smoke output.” –Mickey T. (irratebass)

Burn: 90

“The burn wasn’t quite razor sharp, but it was slow, and carefree. At one point I had to leave the cigar unattended for several minutes, and it remained lit and ready for my next puff…no complaints here.” –Jason H. (Jokey Smurf)

Construction: 93

“This robusto sized cigar was heavy in the hand, had a well applied wrapper, and burned/drew to my preference…simply puck it was a damn finely constructs cigar.” –Jason H. (Jokey Smurf)

Overall Strength: Medium-Strong
Overall Body/Complexity: Medium-Full
Experience Overall: 90

“This was a cigar that I will remember for a while, and will eagerly await the reveal. It smoked like a dream, and hit the spot in all regards. I don’t recommend it for the beginner, but for a crusty old cigar smoker like me, it was something that I will want to revisit soon…it held up well to a strong beer, smoked like a dream, and tasted like I want another! Can’t ask for more in my opinion!” –Jason H. (Jokey Smurf)

“Good smoke, lots of different flavors ranging from Walnuts, coffee, bread, sourdough & salt. The strength really amped up in the final third.” –Mickey T. (irratebass)

“This was a very enjoyable smoke. The flavors started off well balanced with a nice mix of cinnamon and spice with a nice coffee after-flavor. As it progressed the cinnamon flavor became dominant but not to a point that it washed out the other spices. To me it grew in intensity for the middle third and into the last third. The aroma from the smoke was very pleasing and overall made for an enjoyable experience. I definitely would recommend this one to my friends and would love to have some in my humidor. As I sit here I am still enjoying a cinnamon coffee flavor even though I have been done with the cigar.” –Eric (smalls29)

“This is a good, but not all that exciting cigar. There were no standout flavors and the profile never changed from the start to the end. I probably wouldn’t smoke another just because there wasn’t a real wow factor to it.” –Alan (Eulogy)

Smoking Time (in minutes): 73

 

Reviewer	Appearance	Aroma	1/3	2/3	3/3	Draw	Burn	Constr.	Overall Experience
Jason H.	95	95	95	92	97	97	92	92	92
Mickey T.	97	92	90	90	90	88	88	88	90
Eric	90	90	95	90	90	85	88	92	90
Alan	93	92	88	90	88	95	92	92	90

To view the complete scores and notes, click here.

Carlos Torano | Vault P-044 Robusto