Monday, March 07 2011
This weekend marked the end of an era (sort 'a) for one of my favorite cigars. It must have been in 2002, when I attended my first IPCPR Show; back then it was still known as the RTDA. I had interviewed Charlie Toraño, and a few weeks later I received a signed box of Carlos Toraño Signature Double Perfecto - my favorite shape! What a great gift and a nice surprise. Believe it or not, I nursed that box up until yesterday when I smoked the last of 'em. It actually took me another year to smoke it, because when I got down to that last little cigar, I just didn't have the heart to finish it off. But I'm glad I did; it was a sensational smoke in every way.
Now exclusive to Famous Smoke Shop, the Carlos Toraño Signature Collection is are full-bodied cigars blended with hearty Dominican Cuban Ligero & Nicaraguan Habano Ligero longfillers, broadleaf binder (Connecticut, I presume), and a thick, flawless, sun-grown Brazilian Maduro wrapper.
I've had my share of these cigars over the years in a variety of sizes and I have generally found them to be a bit peppery on the finish. They start out medium-bodied and build to a very full-flavored and complex smoke. So, here's the 411 on my last CTS Perfecto which I paired with coffee.
Since this double perfecto is open at both ends, there's no need to clip it. The draw was fine despite the small aperture, and the pre-light flavors were woody, leathery and somewhat sweet. Once I got this baby going, I noticed it had mellowed considerably, offering a very creamy smoke with virtually no peppery spice in the mix. The cigar also burned perfectly, revealing a firm ash and a 
pencil-shaped cone when ashed. The first act offered flavors of wood, nutmeg, some hickory, and a spot of coffee bean. Another nice thing I picked up was how great the aroma was on this cigar. It was piquant with a lot of floral notes swimming around.
At about the midpoint, the strength had ramped-up as expected, and some of that pepper spice came through, but it didn't last more than a few puffs - go figure? For whatever reason, the smoke settled down, although the wrapper was showing some signs of stress as the burn approached the bulge. I let it rest, and although the wrapper tore a little from this very small split, remarkably, once it got past the weak spot, it continued to burn perfectly. Moreover, at no time did I ever have to relight or 
touch-up the cigar.
During the last half, the smoke offered more strength, a bit more sweetness, and in the final inch I noticed a wisp of vanilla and caramel. As you can see by the photo, I smoked it as far down as I could. It never turned bitter either. This was one fine pleasure cruise that I highly recommend, especially if you like extra rich, complex cigars.
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Learn more about Carlos Torano Signature cigars.
