Blind Cigar Review: Falto | Gran Reserva Especial Prominente

Cigar Info

Tabacalera Falto, Inc. and its brands La Garita Cigar Co. and Falto Cigars began its operations more than twenty years ago (1995), while Luis J. Falto was studying at the George Washington University in Washington, DC. It all started when he bought and sold cigars to many different persons, including some restaurants and other establishments. All the while, he was and still is, an avid consumer and passionate of what true cigar smokers call: “The Leaf.”. During that time, Luis came to the conclusion that he had tasted so many different cigars that he could make one according to his own personal taste. With the access in Washington, DC, he visited the Embassy of the Dominican Republic and asked for a list of all major manufacturers of cigars established there. Also, with the help of some friends in the tobacco industry, he was able to arrange appointments and meetings with some of the most important manufacturers in the Mecca of Dominican cigars: Santiago de los Caballeros in the Cibao Valley of the Dominican Republic. Today we are reviewing the Falto | Gran Reserva Especial Prominente

After visiting a number of factories, he met with Manuel J. Inoa, the Cigar Production Coordinator for La Aurora, S.A. (makers of La Aurora and León Jimenes cigars). During that meeting, the group from La Aurora, accepted his ideas with much enthusiasm and most importantly his views of what a cigar bearing his family name should been. Luis wanted to choose the different tobacco blends for his cigars and decided that they should be made in very small quantities. Such small quantities would insure a strict quality control, of which La Aurora was already distinguished for.

Finally, he wanted to meet and know his torcedores at a personal level, the men that would be hand crafting his cigars. They accepted, and since then Falto makes all his cigars in La Aurora; the oldest cigar manufacturer in the Dominican Republic, founded in 1903. That is how the La Garita Cigar Company & Falto Cigars brands of ultra boutique premium hand made cigars began.

The production size of Falto Cigars do not surpass one hundred sixty (160) boxes for the cigars that come in boxes of twenty (20), twenty five (25), and twenty six (26), meaning only around four thousand (4000) cigars per annual production.. The cigars that come in boxes of ten (10) and the production is two hundred fifty (250) boxes; meaning two thousand five hundred (2500) cigars per annual production. It is truly an Ultra Boutique Premium Handmade Cigar brand that is produced in extremely small quantities, something unheard of in the industry.

This cigar is available in one size only, the “Perfecto”. It is manufactured using a wooden mold from 1923, and is a cigar that transports the smoker to the past. . With a closed head and foot, it is thicker at the foot than at the head. . These cigars are bound by a cloth fabric and come with a production card that indicates three key dates: when the cigar began its cedar aging, when it was packaged, and when it left the factory. . The card is personally signed by Luis as a warranty of quality. . The “Prominente” uses a Cameroon wrapper that accentuates a delicious potency. . It is a cigar with personality and character, and medium to full body in strength that highlights elegant flavors of tobacco and espresso.

Vital Stats:

Vitola: Perfecto
Length: 4″
Ring Gauge: 50
Country of Origin: Dominican Republic
Wrapper: Ecuadorian Sumatra
Binder: Dominican Republic
Filler: Dominican Republic
Factory: La Aurora S.A.
Blender: Luis Falto
Number of reviewers: 5 – Kevin S. (KBS1153) Craig (WyldKnyght) Jeff (ExpendableYouth) Ryan (Youngryan216) Ashley C. (Ashley C.)
Price: $8.00
Age: 1 Year
Release Date: July 2015
Contributed by: Falto Cigars

Initial Impressions

Appearance: 93

“The art of rolling a petit perfecto is just amazing. This cigar was just that! It was perfect in every way. Looking at a perfecto is reminiscent of “old school” cigars. If you know me then you realize I can remember old school. This is the shape of cigar I remember my grandfather smoking 50 years ago!” –Kevin S. (KBS1153)

Aroma: 90

“The aroma is a subtly sweet and woodiness. There is a bit of pepper on the foot but not an overabundance of it.” –Jeff (ExpendableYouth)

First Third

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

“The first few puffs of this smoke have notes of white pepper and caramel. There is quite a bit of saltiness that provides adequate balance. As small cigars go, heat can be a problem. This one stayed very cool in the first inch with some soft flavors that were not very deep, but enough to stay interested.” –Ryan (Youngryan216)

“First few puffs brought some pretty mild yet a slight sweetness of flavors. Retrohale did have some nice baking spices which was nice to have that little kick to the sweetness.” –Ashley C. (Ashley C.)

Second Third

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

“The sweetness of the dried fruit subsided and gave way to the cedar. The draw is very good and the burn is even. The ashes are gray and solid. Now the leather and pepper are each competing with the cedar and this is a very complex cigar. The transition of the flavors are very intriguing. Moving towards the final third and even resting for several minutes the cigar remained burning and did not need to be touched up at all.” –Kevin S. (KBS1153)

“Right off into entering the second third there was a nice transition into a more spiciness kick of flavor! Producing lots of very good velvet creamy smoke. Definitely a peppery spice on the retrohale that really tickles the nose.” –Ashley C. (Ashley C.)

Final Third

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

“The profile has remained consistent all the way through. The core flavor profile of woodiness, pepper and fruity currants are still present. The pepper has has become a bit more pronounced in the final-third but not in an overpowering way.” –Jeff (ExpendableYouth)

“There was not much to this smoke in terms of complexity — the caramel and white pepper were constant and never overbearing. The smoke got hot in the final third, as is common for smaller smokes. There was no real heat in terms of spice that I could detect.” –Ryan (Youngryan216)

Overall Impressions

Draw: 97

“Great draw. This was a well-made smoke.” –Ryan (Youngryan216)

Burn: 98

“The burn on this was perfect through the entire smoke with no relight needed!” –Ashley C. (Ashley C.)

Construction: 95

“Really have no complaints on the construction of this cigar. Held a ash very well and produce nice creamy smoke.” –Ashley C. (Ashley C.)

Overall Strength: Medium-Strong
Overall Body/Complexity: Medium-Full
Experience Overall: 94

“From the foot to the cap this was a very good cigar. It is one that we all need in our humidors especially since it is a petit perfecto for those times when you are looking for a cigar for a walk, short car ride or first thing in the morning. The flavors and aromas of this cigar are very good and they all transitioned into a savory cigar. Coupled with a great cup of Cuban Coffee it would make a perfect day!” –Kevin S. (KBS1153)

“Overall this was an excellent cigar, that I would try again. It’s a short smoke but with a kick.” –Craig (WyldKnyght)

“This was a nice smoke with subtle complexities and a nice flavor profile. I would pick up a few of these if the price was right.” –Jeff (ExpendableYouth)

“The cigar was okay as a quick smoke. However, there was nothing here that would make me come back. For me, a small smoke has to hit a certain niche in order to fit a quick need (i.e. Liga Privada Papas Fritas, Epernay Le Petit). This cigar didn’t have a strong identity, but it was not offensive and overall, a pleasant experience.” –Ryan (Youngryan216)

“I really enjoyed this smoke. It offered a little bit of everything I look for in a cigar. There was a perfect balance of sweetness and peppery kick. For me I would enjoy this cigar to unwind after a long day at work.” –Ashley C. (Ashley C.)

Smoking Time (in minutes): 54

To view the complete scores and notes, click here.

Blind Cigar Review: Falto | Gran Reserva Especial Prominente

Overall Score – 93 – Great