Dapper Desvalido Toro – Blind Cigar Review

Cigar Info

Dapper Desvalido was released in 2020 but was actually worked on behind the scenes for years before the official release. The blend was a collaboration between Dapper Owner Ian Reith, Raul Disla (Production Manager of the NACSA factory) and the Oliva Tobacco Company (not to be confused with the Oliva Cigar Company). The name Desvalido translated in Spanish to “those without hope.”

The blend for Dapper Desvalido uses an Ecuadorian habano rosado wrapper (grown by the Oliva Tobacco Co.). a U.S. grown binder, and fillers that include two Nicaraguan filler tobaccos Oliva Tobacco Co.’s its Cofradia farm in Jalapa, and its La Joya farm in Estelí, as well as Connecticut broadleaf grown by Lancaster Leaf Tobacco Co. The fourth filler leaf is undisclosed. Dapper Desvalido comes in four vitolas: Robusto 5 x 50 $11.36, Toro 6 1/8 x 52$12.36, Lonsdale 6 1/2 x 46 $11.96, and Double Corona 6 3/4 x 54 $13.34. Are are presented in boxes of 20.

Vital Stats:

Vitola: Toro
Length: 6 1/8″
Ring Gauge: 52
Country of Origin: Nicaragua
Wrapper: Ecuadorian Habano Rosado
Binder: USA
Filler: Nicaragua, USA
Factory: Nicaragua America Cigars S.A. (NACSA)
Blender: Ian Reith
Number of reviewers: 4 – Chad M. (Chad Tchad) Diana (ArmyRN) Allison T. (The Yoga Ash) Vance T. (Vance)
Price: $12.36
Age: 1 Year
Release Date: September 2020
Contributed by: Dapper Cigar Co.

Initial Impressions – Dapper Desvalido Toro

Appearance: 93

“This wrapper reminds me of Reece’s peanut butter cup from its shade of brown and the yellow undertone with its semi-gloss sheen, as I roll this cigar around between my fingers. The cap is really deep on the shoulder which would allow for a deep V cut if, it is the cut you for you.” –Allison T. (The Yoga Ash)

Aroma: 92

“Cinnamon smell with little citrus fruit smell from the cap to the foot of the cigar.” –Chad M. (Chad Tchad)

First Third

Flavor: 93
Strength: Medium
Body/Complexity: Medium

“Pre-light cold draw is unique as I’m immediately met with a lemon poppyseed muffin impression. Now I’m curious… Through my first few puffs, I’m noticing a warm sweetness right up front combined with a pleasant floral note. Floral is typically my least favorite note range in a cigar because so often it presents as perfumed or soapy to me, but in this context, it’s bright citrus and I’m reminded of powder sugar-dusted lemon bars. The retrohale is a blast of black pepper that doesn’t overpower. The draw is perfect, firm but full, and the burn line is off to a good start. An inch into it and things are shifting in the wrong direction: construction wise I’m seeing an increase in smoke bleed from the foot (meaning less on my draw), some pitting in the ash, and a wavering burn line. Flavor-wise I’m losing the citrus from the floral note and noticing it move toward the perfume counter at Macy’s. Retrohale is still very good and all in all, it’s nicely balanced. Let’s hope it can hold this delicate line through the first third. I ashed at the 1-in mark but opted not to touch up the burn line even though I had about a quarter inch between the high and low points. I want to see if it can self-correct. Into the second inch, I’m happy to report the profile is holding steady. Still a nice unique combination of tartness, less citrus fruit and more citrus peel, bright floral, burnt sugar, and pepper retro. The burn line is correcting nicely so I’m hopeful.” –Vance T. (Vance)”

“This cigar started out with some chocolate notes mixed with nuts and a slight hint of nutmeg. As I got farther in I noticed some oak notes coming through. There was a nice balance to the start as no flavor outweighed another.” –Diana (ArmyRN)

Second Third

Flavor: 93
Strength: Medium
Body/Complexity: Medium

“The enjoyable floral notes have fallen away while the cedar and the sourdough have taken the forefront in a good way. Let me note that the sourdough has also evolved into freshly baked sourdough, now. In the retro-hale I pick up notes of green tea and almonds as a nice compliment.” –Allison T. (The Yoga Ash)

“Dropped my second ash a little bit into the second third with a satisfying thud. The burn line fully resolved itself during that third and the ash tightened up, so that’s a win. The profile is seeing no major shifts yet. I still feel like I’m being robbed of about 25% of the smoke production due to smoke bleeding from the foot. Right at the midway point, there’s a nice transition. The citrus peel and burnt sugar has been replaced by a warm bready note. A hint of the floral still lingers but is muted and the pepper on the retro has also retreated, being replaced with spicy cinnamon. The smoke bleeds from earlier is improving as well, though not yet fully resolved. The ash that was pitted and unstable in the first inch has fully resolved into a nice, dense, white stack o dimes.” –Vance T. (Vance)”

Final Third

Flavor: 88
Strength: Medium
Body/Complexity: Medium

“Still very light flavors. Mild walnut flavor. Some black tea flavor has entered the flavor profile. Still very light mouthfeel. Retrohale still with no real flavors.” –Chad M. (Chad Tchad)

“The last third became more toasty and earthy with the nutmeg and caramel pretty much disappearing. A lingering coffee note was noticed on the finish and although I enjoy earthy flavors, the cigar sort of fell flat going into the home stretch.” –Diana (ArmyRN)

Overall Impressions – Dapper Desvalido Toro

Draw: 84

“The draw was okay but a little tight. This became apparent even more so as I was ending the second third going into the last. The cigar finally loosened back up about an inch into the last third. I did not have to consistently work at the draw with this cigar, however, there was a lot of room for improvement which would’ve opened up the cigar and provided much more flavor experience.” –Diana (ArmyRN)

Burn: 91

“This cigar burned very well. No relights were needed and the burn line remained crisp. The cap held nicely throughout the entire smoking experience. The ash was white with some very dark specks. The ash never fell off and I tapped regularly after it got to about an inch and a half.” –Diana (ArmyRN)

Construction: 87

“I have to admit the construction on this cigar was pretty flawless.” –Allison T. (The Yoga Ash)

Overall Strength: Medium
Overall Body/Complexity: Medium
Experience Overall: 88

“Very light smoke with a light mouthfeel. The flavors were very dry. Light walnut and black tea flavors. It started off with light citrus sweetness but that faded very quickly.” –Chad M. (Chad Tchad)

“I would love to smoke this cigar again with an improved draw. The flavor notes were very nice but I dare say I missed out on the full experience due to the tightness. There could’ve been a little more oomph to the notes but it still was a pretty cigar to look at and a decent smoking experience.” –Diana (ArmyRN)

“First of all I would smoke this again and depending on price point I would suggest 1231 to many people as a first cigar of the day with coffee or tea. The flavor notes were fun and elegant it helped keep the mood light. This was a solid 2 hour toro.” –Allison T. (The Yoga Ash)

“This is a tough one for me because while I loved many moments with this cigar, overall it felt a little one note, with the floral note persisting nearly the entire time, the smoke bleed issues, and the occasional burn issues. Overall, the profile while interesting at times is not in my wheelhouse, and for that alone, I’d likely not seek this one out. All of that said, I can see where many cigar enthusiasts would choose this cigar if priced between the $10-$15 range, for a solid two-hour smoking experience with a unique flavor profile.” –Vance T. (Vance)

Smoking Time (in minutes): 108

To view the complete scores and notes, click here.

Dapper Desvalido Toro – Blind Cigar Review