Dapper Desvalido Disla Toro – Blind Cigar Review

Cigar Info

Earlier this year, Dapper Cigar Co. came out with a new version of its Desvalido blend that was blended by Raul Disla, the production manger of the Nicaragua American Cigars S.A. (NACSA) factory in Estelí. This isn’t a replacement of the existing Desvalido blend, but rather another take on it. Years ago, Ian Reith, founder of Dapper Cigar Co., asked Disla to blend a version of one of the company’s cigars that was more to his taste than Reith’s. The result was a complete reimagining of the original Desvalido blend, called the Desvalido Disla. Details of the changes weren’t given, but the only component unchanged is the Ecuadorian Habano Rosado wrapper.

The rest of the blend uses Nicaraguan binder and fillers. The Desvalido Disla comes in the same four sizes as the original Desvalido line: Robusto 5 x 50 $11.36, Toro 6 1/8 x 52 $12.36, Lonsdale 6 1/2 x 46 $11.96, and Corona Doble 6 3/4 x 54 $13.34. The company will sell both the original and Disla versions at the same time.

Vital Stats:

Vitola: Toro
Length: 6 1/8″
Ring Gauge: 52
Country of Origin: Nicaragua
Wrapper: Ecuadorian Habano Rosado
Binder: Nicaragua
Filler: Nicaragua
Factory: Nicaragua American Cigars S.A. (NACSA)
Blender: Raul Disla
Number of reviewers: 4 – Kevin J. (maninblack77) Lauren S. (Lauren S.) Estevan Z. (TheRealBanzi) Kevin A. (Kevin A.)
Price: $12.36
Age: 3 Months
Release Date: August 2022
Contributed by: Dapper Cigar Co.

Initial Impressions – Dapper Desvalido Disla Toro

Appearance: 92

“This cigar sports a walnut-colored wrapper that is smooth and oily. The seams are tight and there are a multitude of veins present. It is finished with a fat double cap.” –Estevan Z. (TheRealBanzi)

Aroma: 95

“Aromas of barnyard, natural tobacco, and milk chocolate dominate the aromas from the foot. The body of the cigar is primarily barnyard. Pre-light draw, which is very tight, has a hint of lemon zest, with a very heavy sugary sweetness to the finish.” –Kevin A. (Kevin A.)

First Third

Flavor: 90
Strength: Medium
Body/Complexity: Medium

“The cigar opens with notes of hickory wood and roasted coffee beans. After about half an inch there is a tingle on the tip of the tongue. It lingers for a good long time. On the retrohale there is a strong nutty note paired with fiery cinnamon. Smoking on there is a citrus note that is building with each puff. The smoke, when I can get any, has a chewy characteristic and the finish is medium to long in length.” –Estevan Z. (TheRealBanzi)

“There was an interesting floral note on the dry draw. Once lit and warmed up I got a strong black coffee flavor with a heavy bitterness to match. As the first third wrapped up I also got the first hint of some baking spices, especially cinnamon.” –Lauren S. (Lauren S.)

Second Third

Flavor: 92
Strength: Medium
Body/Complexity: Medium

“As the first third ends and the second third begins, those big bold flavors keep coming. There are still a lot of leather and oak flavors as well as some chocolate. The strength and body are medium-full. Such a killer smoke. Each flavor that comes forward just hits my palate in the right spots.” –Kevin J. (maninblack77)

“The cigar remains in the medium strength range across the board in the middle section. The draw is still tight, but the burn is great. Flavors new to the profile in the middle section are sweet cherries, caramel, natural tobacco, and call me crazy, but I am getting banana on the finish. Interesting profile. Wish I didn’t have to take multiple puffs and heat up the cigar to get them to come through.” –Kevin A. (Kevin A.)

Final Third

Flavor: 93
Strength: Medium-Strong
Body/Complexity: Medium-Full

“I don’t want this cigar to end. That’s how good I think it is. The strength picks up a notch but is not overpowering. Leather, oak, something akin to a grilled ribeye steak, and some chocolate notes. It sounds like an odd mix but they work so well. I had to nearly burn my fingers before I could put it down.” –Kevin J. (maninblack77)

“The final third has around shift in store for me. The profile is that of rich tobacco with slight undertones of spice. In the background, there is anise and cinnamon that linger well after the smoke is gone. In the retrohale the almond note has returned and fills the sinuses each time I push smoke through my nose. The smoke has reduced again. I have to pull on the cigar to get a mouthful of smoke. The finish is long and lingering.” –Estevan Z. (TheRealBanzi)

Overall Impressions – Desvalido Disla Toro

Draw: 94

“The draw began a bit tight but quickly opened once the cigar warmed up.” –Lauren S. (Lauren S.)

Burn: 93

“The burn was solid except for a couple of inches in the middle that required a touch-up.” –Lauren S. (Lauren S.)

Construction: 93

“So I have to say that the construction on this cigar is a mixed bag. It was a well-packed fuller which allowed the gray ash to build for a complete third. But in doing so it makes the draw tight at the beginning and end of this cigar. The wrapper seems to be very well-aged which gives me that great burn. All that said, its overall score suffers due to its draw.” –Estevan Z. (TheRealBanzi)

Overall Strength: Medium
Overall Body/Complexity: Medium-Full
Experience Overall: 93

“Just short of epic for me. The bold flavors each hit my palate just right. I will definitely be searching for this cigar out to add to my rotation. From start to finish it never let up. Highly recommended for fans of strong bold cigars.” –Kevin J. (maninblack77)

“I enjoyed this cigar and look forward to seeing what it is so I can smoke it again. Though the opening black coffee flavor was almost too bitter for me, it transitioned into a smooth and spicy blend. By the final puffs that were very much reminiscent of Mexican chocolate, I hated having to finally put it down.” –Lauren S. (Lauren S.)

“There’re moments when this cigar is performing like an exceptional cigar but they are short-lived. Overall it was an a-okay smoking experience but the lack of smoke production at the beginning and end hurt my final score. Who knows how I would feel if it didn’t have the slight draw problem I experienced. The profile is nice and it has moments that I really enjoyed. As with any handmade product, I will give it another shot when I know what it is.” –Estevan Z. (TheRealBanzi)

“Despite the draw frustration, I actually really enjoyed this cigar and would be down for a couple more to try and see if it ends up being worthy of a spot in the humidor. Strength never ventured out of the medium range, and the flavors were very interesting and worked well together.” –Kevin A. (Kevin A.)

Smoking Time (in minutes): 103

To view the complete scores and notes, click here.

Dapper Desvalido Disla Toro – Blind Cigar Review