Carlos Toranos Virtuoso Review

[chris45set]

Another stogie reviewed, with all props to Tidefan73 for providing the specimen.
I drank only Brita filtered water with this smoke.
Appearance was a very satiny wrapper, with a slightly rough feel, almost like extremely fine wet-or-dry sandpaper.
Cut, toasted and lit; was rewarded with a slightly sweet and spicy/cinnamon taste, kind of like cinnamon toast with sugar. Very pleasant.
Very soon, however, the cap unraveled and lost at least two, maybe 2-1/2 "courses" (for you bricklayers out there).
I can't explain why this happened, the cigar had been in my humi for a week at 65% humidity, controlled by beads.
The first third remained mostly pleasant, and tasting as described above, somewhat intensifying as the cigar progressed.
During the second third, the wrapper cracked noticeably.
It also developed some sort of hard projection of ash, just along one edge of the cigar, almost like there was a small popsicle stick embedded just under the skin. This continued for the duration of the smoke, and I had to continually roll the cigar hard against the edge of my ashtray to dislodge parts of said projection.
Due to the cracking and / or the "projection" the cigar began to burn very unevenly. Relights or touch-ups had no effect on the projection, its presence continued and the cigar canoed.
During the second third, the flavor also became (to me) quite harsh, but retained its sweet undertones. Too much so, as it became a kind of sickly sweet flavor that I found very unpleasant. And I did smoke very slowly, one puff every 45 to 60 seconds.
I did not smoke the final third, as both the taste and the uneven burn made it most un-enjoyable.
Others before me have reviewed this cigar, and given it reasonably high marks. I do not know if I just received a bad sample, or if I had humidity problems in my own environment (but I have had no such subsequent problem with other sticks).
I had high hopes for this one in the beginning, but even discounting the burn and cracking problems, the flavor only became more disappointing to me as the smoking session continued.
Can't recommend this one. Not going to "sugarcoat" it for the CS brothers.
I think I am becoming pickier as I progress with this hobby/obsession/disease.
But we learn even from our bad experiences.
Again, thanks to Tidefan73 for making this possible.

Chris

[TripleF]

Don't give up on this stick just yet. Don't forget.......it was handmade and sometimes things happen with handmade ciagrs.

It's one of my favorite sticks. Wait a while. Try one in a couple of months.

Thx for the review!!

[dccraft]

The only one that I had was a very good smoke. I'd say that you had best try another one before giving up on this one.

[SSG.Adams]

Originally Posted by dccraft

The only one that I had was a very good smoke. I'd say that you had best try another one before giving up on this one.

I think it is a perfect lighter day smoke. I've had 2 and they were good till the end.

[Tidefan73]

While I'm not a fan of these, I never had one that gave me any issues.

Chris, if you're interested in trying it again, let me know and I'll send you another.

Thanks for participating in the PIF!!

T-

[chris45set]

Tidefan, thanks for the offer, but I still need to get through the other three remaining from your gift (and I will try to write a few words on all of them).
I feel bad as neither of the first two from your batch has tripped my trigger. Please do not think me ungreateful, as both sticks have helped refine and re-define my tastes.
Some people like BMWs, some like Mercedes, others like Lexus.
Me, I drive a truck . . .
But they all get us where we want to go.