Carlos Toraño Virtuoso, Crescendo Review

[Dr. Stogie Fresh]

TASTING NOTES: After giving it a fair bit of thought, I have concluded that I am a sucker for a dark, oily wrapper. I would smoke a turd, if it was wrapped in a dark oily wrapper. Well, okay, maybe not a turd, but there is something about the oils exuding from a sensuously dark leaf that sets my blood to boiling. After sniffing the wrapper I realize why I chose “turd” as a descriptor: Eau de chickencoop all the way. Nevertheless, that happens to be a fragrance I love.

The Carlos Toraño Virtuoso is a new line for the Toraño family. This is their most full-bodied smoke produced to date. Handmade with premium long-fillers from the Condega Valley in Nicaragua as well as Honduras & Panama, this glistening soldier is going down tonight.

In the interest of science I am smoking a cigar on the first day that I received my box. This gives me a good baseline for comparing the effects of aging as I rate the cigar again down the road. I expected the flavors to be somewhat immature and the tobacco to be a bit green on the palate. That’s exactly what I got. It’s a lot like opening a reserve Cabernet Sauvignon while it’s still young. I have come to enjoy the youthful zest of some wines, and cigars too. It provides a great perspective on what the cigar is capable of becoming as it ages.

The first inch of this cigar is grassy tasting and the burn is slightly uneven but the draw is perfect. It holds the ash well and the construction is consistently good. The ash dropped off after an inch and a half (almost dropped on my keyboard as I was switching hands).

The first half of the cigar was light to medium bodied and gradually became more flavorful. The second half was very nice. Medium body and medium to full flavor, maybe even a touch bitter by the nub. The oily wrapper became even more oily as the cigar warmed up. I am looking forward to seeing how these age. A very enjoyable smoke.

See the entire review and the rating at the Stogie Fresh Rating Blog

[Bigga Petey]

Recieved a box of these a few weeks ago also.
Your review is dead on.
The Virtuosos are a beauty of a cigar, almost a shame to set them on fire.
Being brand new cigars, I agree a little aging will do these vitolas some good.
You can sure taste the potential, even in their infancy.
Can't wait to see what happens in six months or a year.
Should buy another box just to put away for a while.

[kenstogie]

I am a big fan of the Torano lines and this one looks like a winner. I too have determined that "I am a sucker for a dark, oily wrapper" If I may ask how much is a box? And who has them? Thanks

[tazziedevil]

Originally Posted by Dr. Stogie Fresh

. I would smoke a turd, if it was wrapped in a dark oily wrapper.

I happen to have a few JR alternatives that taste remarkably like a turd...I na dark wrapper, even...

[fitter4570]

Nice Smoke .You should also try the Signature line,which also comes in Maduro.

Great reveiw,keep um coming,enjoy your reveiws.

[Bigga Petey]

Originally Posted by fitter4570

Nice Smoke .You should also try the Signature line,which also comes in Maduro.

Great reveiw,keep um coming,enjoy your reveiws.

The Sig perfectos are awesome!

[Dr. Stogie Fresh]

Originally Posted by Bigga Petey

The Sig perfectos are awesome!

Alright! I'm gonna have to try those Sig Maduro Perfectos. Sounds killer!

The Doc

[pinokio]

Nice review, thanks!

P

[NCRadioMan]

Originally Posted by Dr. Stogie Fresh

Alright! I'm gonna have to try those Sig Maduro Perfectos. Sounds killer!

The Doc

Not just any maduro wrapper, the same Brazillian wrapper that is on the COA Brazilla line! Ymmy!



NCRM

[gkpace]

I must agree, this is a very nice cigar! I enjoyed one tonight, and "enjoyed" is stating it mildly.

This cigar is well built, and looks great in that dark oily wrapper. It tastes even better than it looks. The flavor is a complex array of sweet chocolate and coffee, and spicy tobacco... but none of the tastes dominate. It is smooth, but packing a respectable amount of strength. I thoughly enjoyed smoking this cigar, and will be buying more to smoke, and to store in my humidor.

This is one to keep on hand for those times you feel like relaxing and celebrating life and it's pleasures!

-gk

[Darb85]

my first box split was these but the forte vitola. These are very good. I love em. in fact i think ill have one tonight!

[Poriggity]

Nice review Doc! I really enjoyed the only virtuoso I was gifted.. I want more!
Scott

[Ivory Tower]

I enjoyed this smoke too. But I only have had one and I can't remember the exact qualities, but the overall burn, draw, and flavor were fine. I guess I'll try to pick up a pack.

[Rocketman248]

Love 'em, along with just about any Torano. Got a box on the way.