My review(long) of Carlos Torano exodus 1959 silver edition

[veteranvmb]

So I had found about four months ago a carlos torano exodus 1959 silver edition in what I believe is a cornas grande size(almost a churchil).

It was almost five years old I believe and was stuffed into a merino wool sock, that had been put into a combat boot, that was in a sealed but empty 50 cal. ammo can.

When I first discovered it, it was hard as a rock.
I laid it down first in a ziplock bag with a drymistat for about a month. I then transferred to a humidor for 2 months at 62rh and the last month at 66.

Miraculously the cigar had taken on humidty, and felt darn near perfect. A tiny bit spongy(I like them like that) from head to foot.

The wrapper was a bit crackly in spots all over, but thought I would give it a shot today.

I went out to the back yard, where I almost never smoke, but were I have my friends waiting for me to glom some food.

They are alpha and beta, a pair(not sure if they are a couple, but think so) of squirrels. One a grey and one a red squirrel. I have known them for quite a few seasons now.

Also on hand was two other squirrel friends who I call snow belly, and hoodie. Snow belly is a grey squirrel, but has a huge starkly white underside, all the way from his neck to the bottom of his feet. A huge pot bellied fellow who is very gentle. Hoodie is a dirty colored grey with a huge tail, who has a tendancy to leave its tail going up on its back, and covering the top side of his head. Sort of like hes wearing a hoodie.

Also there is feral cat, that we have known for 25 years. Its name is marshmallow. During the day and night it lets out a slow loud talking noise, that sounds like he saying out loud marshmellow.

This is not the original marshmallow who was huge and mean, and would not take crap from any other being on this planet, whether human, dog, cat, bird, skunk, mouse, rat, coyotte , deer, or anythign.
This marshmallow is one of her descendants. It seems like theres a new marshmallow every three years or so, and the genes must be strong, because they all look the same, but smaller,but with much sweeter personalities.

The cat doesnt go near me, but doesnt fear me, and will go to sleep as long as I am at least 30 feet from it.
I feed the squirrels a special treat in one that we all love. Pistachio nut. They love to hull them and then stick the pods in their pouches and when they have enought go up the maple tree and deposit them and come back for me to give them more.

In the warmer weather they just eat them right away.

Back to the cigar. I take the fire to it, and it lights up like a normal cigar. I go to take a puff and almost have a fit. The draw is so easy, smoke enters my lungs and make me cough(I have never smoken a cigarette)

It took a bit to get used to the light draw. I suppose its like the drawer on a machine made or a cigarette.

My first impression was cedar and a little spice. Smoke was very cool and enjoyable.

As I smoked, it produced huge volumes of smoke, which I could see travel as a group to around 30 meters before it disappeared into the tree line.

I kept on smoking and the cedar got stronger, and a strong delightful caramel, and woodsy taste soon arrived. These flavors were marvelous. Not complicated or strong, but definatley showed their presence. A great depp woods, wood burning smell that stayed light and minty.

I smoked it about and hour and 15 minits before putting out.
It stayed the same draw, and towards the end, I had lost I think most of the wrapper and was holding I think by the binder, but the binder was perfect and never unraveled.

I am now curious on this cigar and I think I will purchase some more to see how a proper one is.

Kudo to the maker of this cigar, to stand up to such abuse, and still come out a very good smoke.

On bid they look to cost about 3 dollars at auction and maybee a dollar more at online retail

Much regards Jerry

[JCK]

Jerry, thanks for the great story, squirrels et. al ! I'm glad to hear you had a pleasant smoking experience from a cigar that was thought long dead.

Everything i've heard about cigars dried out is that the oils dry out over time as well causing the cigar to lose any of it's flavor.

I'd like to hear a comparison with one that has been humidified constantly if you take the plunge on them. it's kinda like myth busters!

Thanks for the review.

[Cigary]

Love the story and almost forgot about the cigar you were talking about. Since you did do a review on this one and I have smoked them before I thought that this is a good cigar and since your time spent with this one which had a story behind it made it even more poignant. If you see one that doesn't have that kind of history to it and it kept in a nice humidor where it was taken care of properly I suggest you buy it and enjoy it,,,they are pretty good. Keep up the stories, Jerry,,,they are always read with a smile.

[PerpetualNoob]

Great story, Jerry. Reminded me that I had been meaning to feed the magpies for a while. My beautiful and faithful Red Heeler died of old age a couple of months ago. The magpies used to torment her by teaming up on her and stealing her kibbles. Funny as Hell. One magpie would sit on the fence and squawk at her to get her attention and get her all riled up, and the other one would swoop down and steal a couple of kibbles. Then they would swap roles and back and forth. It was so funny to watch I would just howl with laughter. Never got tired of it. Anyway, every few weeks, I take a cup of her leftover kibbles and put it in a bowl for the birds to enjoy. It'll never be as much fun as watching my wee doggie go crazy, but I figure that's the least I owe them after all these years.

[veteranvmb]

Originally Posted by PerpetualNoob

Great story, Jerry. Reminded me that I had been meaning to feed the magpies for a while. My beautiful and faithful Red Heeler died of old age a couple of months ago. The magpies used to torment her by teaming up on her and stealing her kibbles. Funny as Hell. One magpie would sit on the fence and squawk at her to get her attention and get her all riled up, and the other one would swoop down and steal a couple of kibbles. Then they would swap roles and back and forth. It was so funny to watch I would just howl with laughter. Never got tired of it. Anyway, every few weeks, I take a cup of her leftover kibbles and put it in a bowl for the birds to enjoy. It'll never be as much fun as watching my wee doggie go crazy, but I figure that's the least I owe them after all these years.

Great story. I am not sure if a magpie is the same as a crow, but I have crows here and they are all viscious. Attack and kill other small critters, and I see them snatch other birds(usually sparrows) right out of the air to kill and I guess eat them.
Sometimes there are like 50 of them in one tree and they start to make this weird squelching noice, I cant hear my t.v. set. It sound as if I am in the middle of a rain forest(Jungle to those non pc people like me. LOL)

Jerry

[5point0]

Originally Posted by Cigary

Love the story and almost forgot about the cigar you were talking about. Since you did do a review on this one and I have smoked them before I thought that this is a good cigar and since your time spent with this one which had a story behind it made it even more poignant. If you see one that doesn't have that kind of history to it and it kept in a nice humidor where it was taken care of properly I suggest you buy it and enjoy it,,,they are pretty good. Keep up the stories, Jerry,,,they are always read with a smile.

Exactly....all the way to the end...glad you enjoyed the smoke...and great narrative to boot!

[veteranvmb]

i looked it up, and what I have is called the American Crow. All black and is an opportunistic eater according to wikipedia. I dont know the size, but the ones I have are huge with huge wingspans.
Some of them are bigger then the hawks and ernes I see. I do not like them very much for some reason, but they are beautiful in flight and in appearance.

Jerry

[PerpetualNoob]

Here's a pretty good picture. I'm not sure their range extends to where you are. I didn't know, but apparently they're members of the crow family. They're very clever. We also have ravens here, which are huge, huge crows. We call them 'dumpster chickens', because that's where you usually see them, and about how big they are. I think they can eat almost anything.

[veteranvmb]

Originally Posted by PerpetualNoob

Here's a pretty good picture. I'm not sure their range extends to where you are. I didn't know, but apparently they're members of the crow family. They're very clever. We also have ravens here, which are huge, huge crows. We call them 'dumpster chickens', because that's where you usually see them, and about how big they are. I think they can eat almost anything.

Thanks for photo. No the ones I have are pure black all over. They look like ravens. I think black crows and ravens are the same thing, but not sure.
I once saw a documentary and they said by far ravens were the smartes bird alive. They actually make and use tools.

Jerry

[gjcab09]

Great review/story, Jerry. We've got Ravens out here and they're flippin' HUGE. 5' wingspan or so on the large ones. Not my favorite bird, but quite impressive when they're seen up close. A friend once told me that they mate for life, and mostly I think I have seen them traveling in pairs...or at least 2 birds flying the same direction.