David Garofalo is the owner of Two Guys Smoke Shop which has three locations in New Hampshire, he is also the co-host of the weekly podcast The Cigar Authority. He an Italian American that was born and brought up in inner-city Boston, a man who has spent over 30 years as a cigar retailer and is obsessed with cigars. When it launched, David Garofalo said, “I have spent more than half my life in the cigar business, and I am going to give launching my own cigar a try.”
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.
Garofalo Cigars are rolled at the Perdomo Factory in Esteli Nicaragua. The blend is a compilation of Nicaraguan fillers from the Jalapa Valley and Esteli then aged for four full years. The wrapper is a USA Connecticut from Ecuador. After rolled, the cigars are aged for a minimum of six full months. The cigar is available in 4 Sizes: Robusto (5 x 50); Torpedo (5 x 54); Toro (6 x 52) and Churchill (7 x 50).
Vital Stats:
Vitola: Torpedo
Length: 6″
Ring Gauge: 54
Country of Origin: Nicaragua
Wrapper: Ecuadorian Sun Grown
Binder: Nicaraguan
Filler: Nicaraguan
Factory: Perdomo
Blender: Nick Perdomo
Number of reviewers: 5 – Daniel S. (Daniel S.) Diana(ArmyRN) John I. (John I.) Isaac M.(The Nothing) Jeff (ExpendableYouth)
Price: $7.99
Age: 10 Months
Release Date: N/A
Contributed by: United Cigar
Initial Impressions
Appearance: 93
“Reddish brown torpedo. There are some evident veins, but the seams are tough to pick out. Nice looking smoke. ” –John I. (John I.)
Aroma: 88
“Earth and kitchen spices were predominate aromas produced by the cigar. ” –Isaac M. (The Nothing)
First Third
Flavor: 92
Strength: Medium
Body/Complexity: Medium
“”This cigar started off with leather and white pepper on the palate with cedar and pepper on the sinuses. Part was in, a tear appeared on the wrapper. As the burn hit the tear, the wrapper went up like flash paper, exposing a large area of binder, but the cigar kept burning without much issue. There was a savory quality before the end of the first third that kept me interested on where the cigar was going to go.” –Isaac M. (The Nothing)
“The first-third is just bursting with flavor. There is an initial hit of baking spices, leather, earthiness, and a light white pepper. The retrohale has a pleasant balance of pepper and a semi-sweet cinnamon. The smoke output and draw are perfect, and the ash has been holding like a champ since I lit it. ” –Jeff (ExpendableYouth)
Second Third
Flavor: 89
Strength: Medium
Body/Complexity: Medium
“Around the mid point this is becoming a bit fuller in strength, but still falls a bit short of medium. I also haven’t tapped the ash since lighting it and I’m getting a little nervous. The ash is a bit flaky, but it feels pretty solid. Gonna keep going a little further. Not much new happening in terms of flavor, there’s pronounced sweetness. A bit more sugary then chocolate now.
At around the forty minute mark I took a careful draw and the ash dropped into my lap. Crud. “-John I. (John I.)
“The cigar remains toasty but the chocolate that I initially encountered has disappeared. In it’s place are very smooth and creamy butter and nuts flavors that really make this cigar more tasty than expected. Retro reveals a slight floral note but nothing strong enough to overpower the predominant toasty nut flavors.” –Diana (ArmyRN)
Final Third
Flavor: 89
Strength: Medium
Body/Complexity: Medium-Full
“For some reason, a relight was required at the beginning of the final third. The cigar had completely extinguished. Cumin and earth were more assertive, overriding the oak, but it was still present. The flavors continued escalating in intensity until I finally called the cigar finished. ” –Isaac M. (The Nothing)
“The final-third has mellowed out a bit and the baking spice, coco, leather, and woodiness of the previous thirds has really begun to shine through again. This has been a really smooth, complex, and enjoyable cigar. The smoke output is amazing, and the construction has been perfect. The retrohale now has a bit more spice than the primary notes and leave a slight tingle. ” –Jeff (ExpendableYouth)
Overall Impressions
Draw: 91
“Draw is good but was airy. However, I didn’t have to work to get any smoke production. ” –Daniel S. (Daniel S.)
Burn: 90
“Overall the burn was really good no issues. The first two thirds burned fast but slowed down by the last third.” –Daniel S. (Daniel S.)
Construction: 91
“Solid construction on all fronts aside from very minor burn issues and a bit of flakiness in the ash. ” –John I. (John I.)
Overall Strength: Medium
Overall Body/Complexity: Medium
Experience Overall: 88
“Overall, I would say this was a good morning smoke. The flavors were good but very light. I would recommend this cigar for new smokers or to someone who enjoys a cigar with their coffee. I hope that the construction issues a onetime issue with particular cigar.” –Daniel S. (Daniel S.)
“This was a pleasant surprise for me and provided a very relaxing and tasty smoking experience for me. The flavors were not extremely complex but prominent enough that I really got a lot out of it. There was a nice combination of flavors that I like in cigars; toast, butter, nuts, hint of chocolate and a very slight floral on the retro. This is a great smoke for any level of smoker and would pair nicely with a great cup of coffee for me. I would just have to be very careful of the handling of this cigar so as not to damage the wrapper. Very good cigar!” –Diana (ArmyRN)
“Not very nuanced, or terribly interesting, but it was a good cigar. The dominant sweetness throughout was pleasant enough if rather dull. Not a contemplative cigar, but serviceable enough for everyday use. ” –John I. (John I.)
“I can see this cigar pairing well with BBQ and barrel-proof whiskey. It has a boldness to stand up to both, but I wouldn’t call it a strong cigar either. I enjoyed this cigar, and would entertain trying out other vitolas. ” –Isaac M. (The Nothing)
“I really enjoyed this cigar. From the very beginning it was complex and constantly left me wanting more. The core notes of pepper, leather, baking spice, and woodiness each worked uncommonly well together. If your looking for a great cigar, regardless of whether its your first or third, I couldn’t recommend this one enough. Pick one up for yourself without hesitation. ” –Jeff (ExpendableYouth)
To view the complete scores and notes, click here.
Blind Cigar Review: Garofalo | Sun Grown Torpedo
Overall Score – 90 – Very Good
Blind Cigar Review: Garofalo | Sun Grown Torpedo
Summary
"This was a pleasant surprise for me and provided a very relaxing and tasty smoking experience for me. The flavors were not extremely complex but prominent enough that I really got a lot out of it. There was a nice combination of flavors that I like in cigars; toast, butter, nuts, hint of chocolate and a very slight floral on the retro. This is a great smoke for any level of smoker and would pair nicely with a great cup of coffee for me. I would just have to be very careful of the handling of this cigar so as not to damage the wrapper. Very good cigar!" -Diana (ArmyRN)
