Blind Cigar Review: Vallorani | The Luigi Torpedo

Cigar Info

Vallorani Cigars are made by the renowned Alberto Medina of PIO Resurrection Cigars. Medina has been producing unique and powerful blends for the American and European markets for over 16 years. This new brand has just finalized their distribution in the US, so look out for them this year. The first cigar we are taking a look at is the Vallorani | The Luigi Torpedo

The first line we are reviewing from them get's is name from Luigi Vallorani. Born in Marche, Italy, in 1891, patriarch of the Vallorani family, Luigi Vallorani, had an affinity for fine cigars. In the evening he could often be found tending a fire, with a smoldering cigar on the mantle. One cold Italian night, as he reached for his cigar, he picked up a scorpion instead by mistake. He quickly tossed it in the fire, narrowly avoiding a nasty sting. This is one of many examples that capture the essence of Luigi's long life. He was a strong, independent man who was not afraid to resort to violence if it meant protecting his family and his business.

Vital Stats:

Vitola: Torpedo
Length: 6″
Ring Gauge: 52
Country of Origin: Nicaragua
Wrapper: Mexican San Andrés Maduro
Binder: Ecuador
Filler: Dominican Republic; Nicaragua
Factory: Vallorani Cigars
Blender: Alberto Medina
Number of reviewers: 5 – Kent (Throck) Mickey T. (irratebass) John I. (John I.) Zane G. (Zane) Adam B. (Bushboy)
Price: $12.00
Age: 2 Months
Release Date: 2016
Contributed by: Vallorani Cigars

Initial Impressions

Appearance: 91

“This was a beautiful looking triple capped, box pressed, torpedo cigar. The wrapper was a pleasant mahogany color with fine stippling. There is a tear in the wrapper but I am confident this occurred during transportation.” –Kent (Throck)

Aroma: 91

“I detect nothing on the body, but on the foot I get a fain coffee aroma. On the cold draw I get lots of cedar and salt.” –Mickey T. (irratebass)

First Third

Flavor: 88
Strength: Medium-Strong
Body/Complexity: Medium-Full

“Pre-light the draw tastes just like fresh hay. Not the typical barnyard, fermented funkiness that's found in a lot of cigars, but rather really very fresh. Upon lighting there is very quickly a large volume of smoke production, and the flavors early on are bright pepper, with some sweetness along with some cinammony characteristics as well. There is a ton of big rich flavor here. Lots of oil developing along the burn line, and the smoke really coats the palate thickly. Really tight, compact ash, and the burn is extremely sharp. Twenty minutes in the flavor profile is still leaning on peppery, with notes of good strong coffee and some earthiness. Whatever this is, I need a lot more of them.” –John I. (John I.)

“Warm toasty notes on in the first third. Definitely lots of flavor packed in. Chocolate graham crackers with a hint of raisin. Everything working nicely together at this point. Takes a little effort on the draw, although smoke output is worth the extra effort. Burn is canoeing a bit, although a touch up is not needed at this juncture.” –Adam B. (Bushboy)

Second Third

Flavor: 91
Strength: Medium-Strong
Body/Complexity: Medium

“At first I thought that second third became slightly less impressive then the first section. The potency dropped off a bit, but the flavors started melding together a little smoother, almost converting to a sweeter profile. I was impressed.” –Kent (Throck)

“Wood flavors still dominate the profile with a little earth and some slight sweetness coming in. Still getting hot white pepper on the retro.” –Zane G. (Zane)

Final Third

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

“Toward the finale this smoke settles into familiar peppery flavors and the woody notes soften a bit into a dark nuttiness. Dark roasted coffee is pretty strongly evident as well. There's no harshness or bitterness, just a continuation of very potent, and pleasing flavors.” –John I. (John I.)

“Roasted peanut and bread flavors. Hint of raisin and overall very warm flavors. I did detect a touch of bitterness while approaching the nub. Pleasant aroma and burn line corrected itself to almost dead nuts even.” –Adam B. (Bushboy)

Overall Impressions

Draw: 91

“Very nice and open draw with plenty of smoke.” –Mickey T. (irratebass)

Burn: 89

“Never had to touch up, but only burned straight at the end.” –Adam B. (Bushboy)

Construction: 91

“The construction was near perfect. The initial crack did not separate any further, a testament to the construction. The cap held its integrity even during the freezing weather outside.” –Kent (Throck)

Overall Strength: Medium-Strong
Overall Body/Complexity: Medium-Full
Experience Overall: 89

“I thought that this cigar was near the middle of the road. I really enjoyed the look of the stick and flavor profile even though it was fairly monotonous. I will likely purchase a few of these and let them season a while in my humidor; I think that this will allow the flavors to meld.” –Kent (Throck)

“This was a good cigar, but just no real flavor changes. This is more of a cigar you can smoke while not having to pay too much attention to. Not a bad thing really.” –Mickey T. (irratebass)

“This is just a great cigar that hits all of the notes that I tend to prefer in a smoke. There could be more nuance, or complexity which would make it truly spectacular, but this blend is one that I'd have no problem returning to again and again. As soon as this one is revealed I'm getting a box. Or three.” –John I. (John I.)

“This cigar was really not for me. I felt like I was smoking straight ligero at times. The last third really hit the sweet spot for me. If the entire cigar would have performed like the last third I would have been a happy guy. If you are someone who loves a pepper bomb then this is for you .” –Zane G. (Zane)

“Flavors changed a little, but the overall experience was a little lackluster. Flavors worked together well, but never really made my mouth water. Not a cigar I would generally reach for, although it was a pleasant smoke. The aroma was the highlight of this cigar and left my man cave smelling great.” –Adam B. (Bushboy)

Smoking Time (in minutes): 81

 

Reviewer	Appearance	Aroma	1/3	2/3	3/3	Draw	Burn	Constr.	Overall Experience
Kent	95	95	92	95	90	92	90	95	92
Mickey T.	83	83	85	88	88	90	90	88	88
John I.	90	92	95	95	95	95	95	95	95
Zane G.	90	90	85	88	90	83	88	88	88
Adam B.	90	88	87	90	90	85	88	90	90

To view the complete scores and notes, click here.

Blind Cigar Review: Vallorani | The Luigi Torpedo