After starting cigar production in Cuba in 1916, the Toraño family had accumulated 17 tobacco farms by the Cuban revolution in 1959.  At this time they fled Cuba, eventually settling production in multiple countries, specifically Nicaragua and Honduras.  I have had mixed experiences with Toraño cigars, with some of the other blends being a bit of a disappointment.  Because people talk so well of them, I though I’d give Toraño cigars another shot with a Signature Collection Perfecto.  Since its creation in 2000, the medium-bodied Signature Collection has been quite successful with its Brazilian-grown maduro wrapper and ligero filler, meeting much critical acclaim.

Origin: Honduran

Build: Handmade with all Brazilian wrapper, Connecticut binder, and Nicaraguan and Dominican filler.

Format: Perfecto

Size: 127 x 20.24 mm (5″ x 51)

Price: $9 USD

This is a truly beautiful cigar, with a nice oily maduro wrapper, a clean and consistent roll, and a pleasant aroma.  Construction was excellent, with a smooth, even draw.  I love the taste of maduro wrappers, so I was excited to get this thing lit.

After a slight clipping of the head, the cigar starts with a bang, with nice coffee and woodsy flavours.  Surprisingly, the cigar never became much stronger, keeping a consistent boldness throughout.  Flavours did evolve, however, with a leathery presence coming in the later half of the cigar. The dominating feature of this cigar was the ash.  Amazing.  I won’t say any more – take a look at the photos.  I think I’ve changed my mind about Toraño cigars…

In the end, this cigar left me with a nice buzz on my lips from the maduro wrapper, and a pleasant feeling from having smoked such an aesthetically pleasing cigar.  Don’t let the good looks deceive you, this is a fabulous smoke.  Pick one up on your next trip to the local B&M.  If I haven’t convinced you, check out other reviews online at CigarFan and Cigar Jack.