Cuban Crafters Cameroon Torpedo Review

[donp]

I had a tussel with a cigar tonight, it was a great fight; I think it was a draw
Before I get into my description, I'll post what the review was from Cigar Aficianado:

>>Cuban Crafters Cameroon Torpedo

Country: Nicaragua
Filler: Nicaragua
Score: 86
Source: Cigar Insider
Binder: Nicaragua
Wrapper: Cameroon Issue: Jul, 2005
Price: $4.60

A rough torpedo with an uncut foot. It has a good draw. It has lots of cinnamon flavors to start, which turn to earth and ginger.
Size: Figurado
Ring Gauge: 54
Length: 6"



Made By: Tabacalera Esteli S.A.
Distributed By: Cuban Crafters Cigars<<

Now my review:

The pre light taste was kind of sweet. It has a curly cap and a curly folded under foot. I like the foot of it because it helps to light the smoke evenly.
This is a well constructed smoke, and it burned straight and true throughout the smoke.
Within the first half inch though it tried to B**ch slap me; the spiciness coming out of this stick was strong, with a very "in your face" aggressiveness. It settled down though and became creamy, sweet and ever spicy. The draw was great; nice and easy with plenty of smoke. The aroma of this smoke was woody and nutty with a strong tobacco flavor. This is not a smoke for the faint of heart. It is complex and has hints of cedar, nuts and wood at varying points. As I was smoking it, I realized I was liking it but, that it is very much a mood smoke for me; I don't prefer to smoke fullbodied smokes all the time. I did not taste any ginger that I could recognize and, there was a strong spicy taste I can't define other than the burnt part of a steak which tastes good but, only in small doses. If you chew too much, it will take on a harsh taste. It is a big cigar and the aroma was very earthy and tobaccolike. The finish is short and doesn't linger long...kind of subdued.
Overall I would have rated it higher than an 86, and I think a lot of factors come into play with a smoke like this. The cameroon wrapper gives it the sweetness, and the Nicarauguan binder and fillers definitely give it the fullness and aggressive taste. A worthwhile smoke and time well spent with a Samuel Adams Scotch Ale.

[Dr. Stogie Fresh]

Very nice review donp. I like those kinds of tussles. I haven't yet had the Cuban Crafters Cameroon, but I have tried the Cabinet Series and the La Carolina. Both are very nice cigars.

Doc

[smokin'Mike-E]

Great Review, I will look for these @ local cigar shop. I enjoy the flavor of Carmeroon wrappers quit a bit.

[donp]

Originally Posted by smokin'Mike-E

Great Review, I will look for these @ local cigar shop. I enjoy the flavor of Carmeroon wrappers quit a bit.

MikE:
You may not be able to get em at your local store. Check the Cubam Crafters webpage, they have a listing of stores they deal with across the country or, simply log in and order them direct from the website.

[donp]

Originally Posted by donp

I had a tussel with a cigar tonight, it was a great fight; I think it was a draw
Before I get into my description, I'll post what the review was from Cigar Aficianado:

>>Cuban Crafters Cameroon Torpedo

Country: Nicaragua
Filler: Nicaragua
Score: 86
Source: Cigar Insider
Binder: Nicaragua
Wrapper: Cameroon Issue: Jul, 2005
Price: $4.60

A rough torpedo with an uncut foot. It has a good draw. It has lots of cinnamon flavors to start, which turn to earth and ginger.
Size: Figurado
Ring Gauge: 54
Length: 6"



Made By: Tabacalera Esteli S.A.
Distributed By: Cuban Crafters Cigars<<

Now my review:

The pre light taste was kind of sweet. It has a curly cap and a curly folded under foot. I like the foot of it because it helps to light the smoke evenly.
This is a well constructed smoke, and it burned straight and true throughout the smoke.
Within the first half inch though it tried to B**ch slap me; the spiciness coming out of this stick was strong, with a very "in your face" aggressiveness. It settled down though and became creamy, sweet and ever spicy. The draw was great; nice and easy with plenty of smoke. The aroma of this smoke was woody and nutty with a strong tobacco flavor. This is not a smoke for the faint of heart. It is complex and has hints of cedar, nuts and wood at varying points. As I was smoking it, I realized I was liking it but, that it is very much a mood smoke for me; I don't prefer to smoke fullbodied smokes all the time. I did not taste any ginger that I could recognize and, there was a strong spicy taste I can't define other than the burnt part of a steak which tastes good but, only in small doses. If you chew too much, it will take on a harsh taste. It is a big cigar and the aroma was very earthy and tobaccolike. The finish is short and doesn't linger long...kind of subdued.
Overall I would have rated it higher than an 86, and I think a lot of factors come into play with a smoke like this. The cameroon wrapper gives it the sweetness, and the Nicarauguan binder and fillers definitely give it the fullness and aggressive taste. A worthwhile smoke and time well spent with a Samuel Adams Scotch Ale.

I had my second one of these 8 months later (today) and find the time at rest since then has made some subtle changes to this smoke. First off, the smell of the cigar was very nice, sweet, almost like pipe tobacco. The pre light draw was loose and sweet tasting too. I had no trouble with the draw and the construction and draw were very good. I thought the loose pre-light draw would affect the smoke but it didn't; I got lots of smoke with each draw.
The first inch was peppery as described above, but not as intense. The sweetness was ever present backed up with a nutty, woody flavors which remained throughout. The aroma was terrific and woodiness came, left and came back again. It wasn't extremely complex, but I didn't mind that so much because the sweet woodiness kept my attention. In the latter part of the second third, there was some tanginess present, typical of Nicaraguan tobacco. This stayed well into the final third, and spice and woodiness all showed up again. Then the sweet woodiness remained to end the smoke. All in all a unique and satisfying experience, which left a sweet tobacco smell on my fingers. With more time on these the flavors tend to round out and soften, making this a solid smoke.