Today's agenda consists of reviews of two cigars: the Isabela Torpedo Miami and the J. Fuego 777 Corojo Robusto. One of these received a solid review rating while the other was a dud. Can you guess which one was more satisfying? Keep reading to find out....

Isabela Torpedo Miami

Isabela is a very small boutique operation run out of Miami that is headed by Vicente Ortiz and produces cigars on a very limited scale. Ortiz is no rookie to the cigar game, as he assisted with the production of the popular Cuban Cohiba. The Isabela line takes its name after Ortiz' daughter, and is somewhat of a tribute to the Cuban Cohiba, as you will see with its appearance. Though under the radar, the Isabela line has received some critical acclaim. Does it live up to the praise? We shall find out now.

The Isabela Torpedo Miami measures 6x56. The Miami also comes in three other sizes: the 5x52 Robusto, the 5x54 Belicoso Fino, and the 7.25x54 Esplendido. The variations in the Miami line do not only affect its size, but also its composition, as each size has different ingredients. As far as the Torpedo Miami is concerned, it has a filler blend of tobaccos from the Dominican Republic and Honduras and a Connecticut Shade wrapper. It's also fair to call it a medium-bodied stick. To show the contrast in compositions within the Miami line, the Robusto has a Honduran filler and wrapper, the Belicoso Fino has a Honduran and Nicaraguan filler and a Honduran wrapper, and the Esplendido has a Honduran and Nicaraguan filler mixed with a Dominican wrapper. Make sure to take note of these differences if you decide to pick up a different size than the Torpedo, as you will not be picking up the same cigar that is only sized differently.

When first glancing at the Isabela Torpedo Miami you notice that it looks similar to a Cuban Cohiba due to its band near the head that closely resembles the popular smoke. Since Vicente Ortiz did lend his hand as an assistant blender in the creation of the Cuban Cohiba, I suppose this similarity in design is acceptable. The look might, however, turn off smokers who are tired of seeing Cohiba wannabes. The black, white, yellow, and silver band displays the Isabela name as well as Miami, Florida. Taking a look at the cigar itself showcases its light brown wrapper. There are several veins that are highly visible and it feels mostly firm to the touch. A quick whiff and taste of the cigar before lighting reveal a ton of sweetness. This sweetness is due to the sealant used on the cap, which is sugar-based and similar to the method used back in the day in pre-Castro Cuba.

After striking a match to the Torpedo Miami, the cigar burns evenly for the most part. No re-lighting is necessary, but it does require a few touch ups here and there. The ash is solid and light, and the draw is good too.