|
|
|
| A FLAVORFUL TRIP TO THE CASA TORANO |
|
|
|
Page 1 of 2  Tasting and grading four gems from the Torano linesLos Angeles, May 23 – The Torano family has been in tobacco for more than 90 years, starting in 1916 when Santiago Torano set up shop in Cuba and began growing leaf. The family became one of the most respected growers in Cuba and after having their lands confiscated by the Castro regime, rose to the top of the leaf business again in Honduras and Nicaragua. For almost all of its history in tobacco, the family never thought about making cigars, but a lack of customers for their harvests finally led Carlos Torano to start. He and his son Charlie (shown above) have proven to be pretty good at cigars, too. Over the last couple of years, they have extended the Torano range, including their first-ever flavor-infused cigar. So it’s time to check out these new blends and see if they measure up not just to their own high standards, but our high expectations. Carlos Torano Noventa: [Nicaragua: available in 3 sizes] Here is the anniversary cigar that salutes Santiago Torano’s move to Cuba in 1916 and the beginning of the Torano tobacco empire. Introduced with great pride, it’s a puro – as it would have been in Cuba – made from all Nicaraguan-grown leaves. We found the blend to be medium-to-full in body, but with a very pleasant toasty and spicy aroma. Perfectly constructed, it draws easily and offers a very light, caramelized flavor with just a slightly spicy, but very clean, medium finish. This blend smokes quite slowly and has a mellow, contemplative character to it. It burns fairly evenly and is consistent in its approach, with a bit more spiciness toward the end. The Noventa successfully demonstrates the quality of the Torano brand, but in a quieter and gentler way than some of the full-bodied screamers on the market today. All three shapes are quite large, with ring gauges of 50-54 and are presented in boxes of 25. Retail prices range from $10-12 per cigar, not including local tobacco or sales taxes. Overall grade: A-: Excellent. Carlos Torano Reserva Decadencia: [Nicaragua: available in 2 sizes] The story goes that Carlos Torano was enjoying his dinner one evening and finished it off with a wonderful glass of Decadencia Chocolate Port from the Wilson Creek Winery in Temecula, California. He was so impressed, he created the first flavored-infused cigar in the Torano line, the Reserva Decadencia which debuted in 2007. Understanding the nature of flavored cigars and their impact on any cigar near them, the Reserva Decadencia line is strictly packaged in sealed glass tubes that eliminate any odor issues. But don’t think that you won’t immediately know that this is a flavored cigar! The aroma of the wine hits you as soon as the seal is broken. |
| < Following Column | Previous Column > |
|---|
 |
 |
Did you know?
“At the time of nationalization of the cigar trade in Cuba, there were reported to be as many as 960 brand trademarks!
