San Cristóbal dLH Torreon

[Fugu]

Torreon 54 x 150, Geniales, no box code (2013/2014)

First one so far for me of two singles bought of the second release (no LCDH band). Initially wasn’t too impressed by format and price and thought I would pass. But after some interesting reviews finally wanted to check for myself.

Appearance: Nice medium brown (no colorado hue), smooth wrapper, fine veins, not oily.

Cold draw on the loose side but still ok. Pre-light taste a mild plain tobacco and perhaps very faint cocoa notes, not at all like a young stick.

First 10 mm in and the cigar starts very mild. Nutty and cocoa notes. Good smoke volume.

1/3: Basically nutty - hazelnut and perhaps a tiny bit almond - with some wood notes coming into play. Plain cocoa now more pronounced and then towards the end of this and start of the second third a very nice honey hue. Strength under medium. Nice start into this smoke.

2/3: Staying within the realms of nutty-woody notes. But with the wood rather being like an aromatic tropical, perhaps kind of teak wood, not at all oaky (which could become unpleasant at times). Balanced and nice. Slowly and steadily increasing in strength to a solid medium.

This is not an overly complex cigar, but what is there is quite intense and flavourful. Good length on the palate now. Some wonky burn that needs the occasional correction, which I attribute to the rather loose roll here.

3/3: Nicotine kicking in a little bit but only for a brief moment. Still intensifying taste but very little change in the general profile. Woody notes coming more to the fore now, as was somehow expected. But then finally the honey notes, which faded out in the second third, seem coming back again but now with more touch towards cane-molasses sweetness. Which is very nice at this point, as it brings back balance to the nutty/woody/cocoa notes towards the end of this fine smoke. Unfortunately removing the band didn’t work out without tearing the wrapper, being very firmly glued to it….

Summary: A very satisfying and relaxing 1.5 hour smoke (the second one will certainly be worth a longer smoke, as it is a bit more packed). Asking myself whether this might indeed be worth buying a jar. This cigar would certainly be very nice to have in the rotation, as it is something special, a true change of pace cigar. But at the set price point still not an easy decision.

1:35 h, 92 P for now.

Paul

[westg]

Nice review thanks Paul

[TheMonk]

Nice review, thanks!

[JohnS]

Good review Paul. I picked up a few singles in June 2015 and commented how I was eager to try one at Christmas time when replying to Simon's review of the Torreon here. I'm now curious to do so, comparing it to the other Robusto Extra in the San Cristobal de la Habana line, the La Fuerza (a Gorditos, 50rg x 141mm), which made Rob's Top 25 cigars of 2015 at no.5.

[Fugu]

Thanks gents!

Looking forward to your own review John and your comparison. Funnily, I just saw, today Greg put up a new vid of Rob and Ken tasting the very same cigar. Haven't watched it yet, but - from Greg's commentary - let's hope with all these recent reviews we will not boost a sale before we could stock up ourselves... haha