The El Artista Pulita 60 Aniversario Toro was released to commemorate the 60th anniversary of the Dominican factory.
This cigar was reviewed blind (no bands) by a panel of at least 4 reviewers. They did not know what they were smoking beforehand. The scores are an average of all the reviewers' scores with outliers removed. All of our cigars reviewed are shipped to the panelists with Boveda packs to ensure optimal smoking experience.
Tabacalera El Artista S.R.L. started operations in Tamboril, Dominican Republic in 1956. Today TEA is one of the nation's largest producers of premium cigars. TEA produces millions of cigars each year and distributes throughout Europe, Canada, United States, and Asia. Additionally, TEA manages farms in the Caribbean and South America where it grows premium tobacco leaf which it utilizes in its proprietary blends as well as sells to top cigar manufacturers in Nicaragua, Honduras, and Dominican Republic.
Vital Stats:
Vitola: Toro
Length: 6″
Ring Gauge: 54
Country of Origin: Dominican Republic
Wrapper: Dominican Criollo 98
Binder: Dominican Negrito
Filler: Dominican Republic, Colombia, Pennsylvania & Nicaragua
Factory: Tabacalera El Artista
Blender: Juan Peña
Number of reviewers: 4 – John I. (John I.) Isaac M. (The Nothing) Jason H.(Jokey Smurf) Wes (SosaCub4Life)
Price: $13.00
Age: 12 Months
Release Date: August 2016
Contributed by: El Artista Cigars
Initial Impressions
Appearance: 88
“Dense and heavy in the hand. Some heavy veins, along a dark brown wrapper. Really tight seams, tough to pick them out. ” –John I. (John I.)
Aroma: 93
“This cigar, surprisingly given it's appearance, has a superb aroma. It is primarily sweet compost with a bit of pepper that is strong enough to make my nose tingle.” –Jason H. (Jokey Smurf)
First Third
Flavor: 89
Strength: Medium
Body/Complexity: Medium
“The Cigar started off with a decent amount of pepper spice both in the mouth and retro. As the 1st third went on the pepperfaded some and the cigar became much more smooth, thick and creamy.” –Wes (SosaCub4Life)
“This cigar started off with a muddied blend of earth and damp leather. For a short while things seemed to clean up and I was able to get more distinct flavors of cumin and over-roasted hazelnuts. The retrohale had an earthiness similar to a rainforest.” –Isaac M. (The Nothing)
Second Third
Flavor: 86
Strength: Mild-Medium
Body/Complexity: Medium
“””Draw is still an issue and burn is beginning to pull to one side. Flavor is still pretty much on point, but it's muted a bit due to the bad draw.
Pepper is fading a bit to reveal woody notes. Still a very good smoke, but it's kind of a drag trying to coax decent performance out of it. “” –John I. (John I.)”
“The 2ne third stayed mostly smooth and creamy. Coated my entire mouth. There was still a bit of pepper tingle on the tongue but overall it was a really smooth full rich thick smoke. The ash held all the way until halfway through the 2nd third before finally falling.” –Wes (SosaCub4Life)
“The final third of this cigar showed a huge shift in both smoke and flavors. The flavors jumped suddenly into a full bodied espresso and black pepper…absolutely different from the rest of the smoke. As the cigar reached the final inch the smoke became harsh and hot, forcing me to end the cigar earlier than I prefer…particularly given how excellent the flavors had become.” –Jason H. (Jokey Smurf)
“During the final 3rd the peppery spice returned especially on the retro. The smoke is still very thick and rich which coats your entire mouth. Pepper, smooth, some sweetness all comes through.” –Wes (SosaCub4Life)
Overall Impressions
Draw: 91
“The draw on this cigar was great. Good middle of the road, even with a v-cut. ” –Isaac M. (The Nothing)
Burn: 93
“Here's where the cigar really seemed to shine for me-the burn. It was pretty much flawless with a nearly razor sharp line from start to finish. The ash held nearly two inches before dropping lazily on its own.” –Isaac M. (The Nothing)
Construction: 87
“Overall this was a pretty well constructed cigar. It was densely packed, and aside from noted burn and draw issues, operated well enough.” –John I. (John I.)
Overall Strength: Medium
Overall Body/Complexity: Medium
Experience Overall: 88
“This cigar hit all of my sweet spots in terms of flavor. Peppery, leathery, with hints of scotch whiskey toward the end. I'd happily invest in a few more of these to see if I could get some with a more consistent draw. I bet this would be a tremendous smoke if that issue was ameliorated. ” –John I. (John I.)
“Many years ago, I bought a box of house-brand cigars from a big-box online and mail-order retailer. They couldn't be that bad, right? Well, they turned out to be horrible. I even smoked them all as punishment. It was also the last time I ordered from big online retailers and focused on only smoking good cigars. This cigar reminded me of that box of cigars that almost ruined things for me.” –Isaac M. (The Nothing)
“The way this cigar finished gives me hope that the other samples were better than mine. The final flavors were just right in my wheelhouse…unfortunately the initial portions would have made me toss this if it weren't for a review. I probably won't revisit this again…” –Jason H. (Jokey Smurf)
“Overall this was a very enjoyable cigar. It had some nice pepper spice that I like but also went through transitions from spicy to super smooth and creamy. Kept me interested throughout the entire smoke.” –Wes (SosaCub4Life)
"This cigar hit all of my sweet spots in terms of flavor. Peppery, leathery, with hints of scotch whiskey toward the end. I'd happily invest in a few more of these to see if I could get some with a more consistent draw. I bet this would be a tremendous smoke if that issue was ameliorated. " -John I. (John I.)
espresso and black pepper…absolutely different from the rest of the smoke. As the cigar reached the final inch the smoke became harsh and hot, forcing me to end the cigar earlier than I prefer…particularly given how excellent the flavors had become.” –Jason H. (Jokey Smurf)