601 Blue Label Maduro Toro

Don Pepin Garcia injected his expertise into the creation of the 601 Blue Label Maduro line. It's a line that has received some impressive ratings in the past, and is said to offer a ton of flavor. Sounds good to me, so let's light up a Toro and see if it lives up to its lofty reputation.

The Toro vitola of the Blue Label Maduro line measures 6 1/4 x 54. The line comes in these other sizes as well: the 5 1/4 x 52 Robusto, 5 1/2 x 56 Prominente, and 6 1/8 x 52 Torpedo. The cigar is handmade in Esteli, Nicaragua and comes in a box-pressed shape. It has a filler and binder made up of Nicaraguan tobaccos. The wrapper is of the Connecticut Broadleaf Maduro variety. In terms of strength, the Blue Label Maduro Toro is said to fall somewhere in between the categories of medium and full-bodied.

The characteristic that stands out the most about the Maduro Toro's appearance is its box-pressed shape. It's executed to perfection and looks great. The triple cap is also impeccable. The dark and oily wrapper has a very smooth texture that is appealing. Touching the Maduro Toro reveals that it's quite firm and well-packed with tobacco. There are no soft spots. Only a few small veins are present, and that's about it. Overall, it is safe to say that Don Pepin created another cigar with solid construction. The vibrant blue band near the head is eye-catching, and it presents the 601 brand name in large lettering. As far as the pre-light aroma, its very sweet. The cold taste is earthy.

The Blue Label Maduro Toro passed the inspection test, and it continues to impress with its burn. The draw is neither too tight nor too loose, and the solid gray ash that is formed is a plus. The burn is even for the most part, with the exception of one quick touch-up.