Carlos Torano Virtuoso Review

[Wattsie]

In accordance with TideFan73's terms from his newbie PIF and extreme generosity, here is my second review.

Tools:
Xikar Xi1 Cutter
Nibo 44 Triple Flame

Construction:
Nice looking wrapper. Built like a brick, the entire stick is hard with little give and no soft spots. The cigar barely fit in the cello and the band came off as I pulled it out.

The band is classy it's White with some gold and green, but not like some of the "bling bands' out there of reds and yellows. It's understated, but still grabs attention. This is one of the more appealing bands I've seen.

Pre-light:
Smell is a sweet, leathery tobacco scent. Clipping the head and taking the first unlit draw was light and more of the sweet leathery flavors. Unlit there were a few hints of chocolate, but that disappeared upon light.

First Third:
Cigar has a good draw despite being a hard packed stick, but still kind of tight. There is a little spice mixed on the first puff predominantly light chocolaty. The smoke is light, but thick and shaping up be light-medium bodied. Exhale through the nose provides me with a sweet leathery taste which would set the tone for the entire cigar.

Initial burn is fairly even, light gray-white ash. Single touch-up on the burn, but holding relatively stable. Flavors are still very smooth on the palate with a leather flavor, hints of chocolate, but difficult to pinpoint.

Ash is holding solid, no tilts or lean, minor discoloration at the foot from light and correction, but a good salt and pepper look and even burn since correction.

Second Third:
Same creamy leather taste to the cigar, hints of nuttiness were detected about half way in the second third, reminding me of a Macanudo Maduro I had in the past. When ash finally did fall at the start of the second third, it was a very sharp and clean break, as if it were clipped.

Finish:
Hit a hard(er?) spot, extinguishing the burn. I relit the cigar and there was no change in the flavor with the same light leathery flavor that I had experienced throughout the cigar..

Summary:
Smoke Again: Yes
This is a rich and smooth cigar, the flavor wasn't overpowering and was enjoyable. This was a time investment, but a light, tasty smoke. Very consistent flavor from start to finish.

1:45 - Burn Time
6/10 - Construction
6/10 - Flavor
8/10 - Looks

10/10 - TideFan73s generosity for the new stick again rings in at a perfect ten.

Bump this man's RG!

[TripleF]

Grrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrreat review.

ANd you gave it a combined total 6.7 outta 10? That's a pretty low score. Darn close to failing actually. How come so low?

It is a great stick.......one of my favs!!

[Tidefan73]

Another great review Chris, you're a natural at this!!! When I first picked up the Virtuosos, I loved them, but over the course of a year, I fell into distaste of them, not for any particular reason. I too had the leathery taste and that might be part of it...not really appealing to me any more.

Construction of these things are amazing!! Built like a Mack truck! Like TripleF had asked, why so low on the review since you seemed to like it so much? I know its not a 10 by any stretch and you may just be cautious as to how high you actually rate it in fear of 'over rating' it...so I'm just curious as to your thought process.

This PIF is working out just perfectly!! Thanks again for participating!!!

T-

[Wattsie]

I have left my written assessment of the cigar as objective as I could for the benefit of others and my numberical assessment for my opinion with my 1-10 scale rating.

Sweet and leathery are not some of my favorite flavors as they are a bit light for my personal preference.

For someone who enjoys sweet/leathery flavors, this cigar would easily be an 8.5 - 10 especially with the fair price point for a cigar this solid.

I'm sure there is no documented protocol or guideline for reviews, but if there is a generally-accepted practice, please let me know. Should I specifically denote ratings as my own opinion and provide a more objective numerical scale for others?

[orca99usa]

I like most things Torano, and I got several Virtuosos in a bundle I bought from Cigars International. I probably like the Exodus 1959 the best among the Torano blends, but the Virtuoso comes pretty close.

Thanks for the review.

[troutbreath]

Great review. Thanks.

I, too, am a fan of the Exodus, but have picked up a few singles of the other lines. Interested to give them a try.

[dccraft]

I have found that most things Torano I like. Great review but I might have given it a little higher score. But it is what it is. Thanks.

[Tidefan73]

Originally Posted by Wattsie

I have left my written assessment of the cigar as objective as I could for the benefit of others and my numberical assessment for my opinion with my 1-10 scale rating.

Sweet and leathery are not some of my favorite flavors as they are a bit light for my personal preference.

For someone who enjoys sweet/leathery flavors, this cigar would easily be an 8.5 - 10 especially with the fair price point for a cigar this solid.

I'm sure there is no documented protocol or guideline for reviews, but if there is a generally-accepted practice, please let me know. Should I specifically denote ratings as my own opinion and provide a more objective numerical scale for others?

Chris, your review was fine, we were just curious is all. I would simply suggest that you include something like what is bolded above so people don't read one thing in the reveiw and get another thing with the numerical rating. Other than that, your reviews are excellent and spot on!!

T-

[JGIORD]

Nice review.

I concur with Tidefan. A comment like that will help a reader better understand your point of view.

Well done.

[mikeyp4]

I too was blessed by the extreme generosity of Tidefan73. My review of the Virtuoso follows:

Construction/Prelight
The cigar is extremely hard. Nicely constructed except for a few wrinkled spots in the wrapper, near the foot. It smells a little leathery. After cutting it I tested the prelight draw and was surprised to find that the draw was good.

First Third
A mild bodied cigar with a little bit of a leathery flavor. The smoke is a little creamy also. The burn was very even, except for where the wrapper was wrinkled.

Second Third
I noticed a hint of a chocolaty taste but it didn’t last long. The leathery flavor remained, but it was never overpowering. Continued to burn evenly, creating a light gray, firm ash.

Finish
The flavor remained much the same. I did notice a little bit of spiciness, but again not overpowering at all.

Final Thoughts
This is a mild bodied cigar with light leather flavor. Although it is a bit of a time investment, I did not want it to end (I nubbed it). Despite the tight roll the draw remained good through the entire cigar. I need to make room in my humi so I can get more of these.

Hope this is helpful. And again Thanks to Tidefan73.

[Tidefan73]

Originally Posted by mikeyp4

I too was blessed by the extreme generosity of Tidefan73. My review of the Virtuoso follows:

Construction/Prelight
The cigar is extremely hard. Nicely constructed except for a few wrinkled spots in the wrapper, near the foot. It smells a little leathery. After cutting it I tested the prelight draw and was surprised to find that the draw was good.

First Third
A mild bodied cigar with a little bit of a leathery flavor. The smoke is a little creamy also. The burn was very even, except for where the wrapper was wrinkled.

Second Third
I noticed a hint of a chocolaty taste but it didn’t last long. The leathery flavor remained, but it was never overpowering. Continued to burn evenly, creating a light gray, firm ash.

Finish
The flavor remained much the same. I did notice a little bit of spiciness, but again not overpowering at all.

Final Thoughts
This is a mild bodied cigar with light leather flavor. Although it is a bit of a time investment, I did not want it to end (I nubbed it). Despite the tight roll the draw remained good through the entire cigar. I need to make room in my humi so I can get more of these.

Hope this is helpful. And again Thanks to Tidefan73.

Great descriptions and thoughts about this smoke. I agree with both you about the leatheriness of it. Nice and mellow also.

Recommend you start a new thread for your review so other will see it...it'll get buried in this one otherwise.

Thanks again for participating!!
T-