Toraño Loyal BFC

We've had a bit of a weird winter here in Tennessee this year with days reaching into the mid 60s and mild temps overnight around 50. As a result,  I decided to enjoy an unseasonably warm evening on my deck and try out the Toraño Loyal. I ended up auditioning the BFC,  something else a little different for me during this peculiar season.

Upon my initial inspection, the cigar had a few small to medium veins, but nothing unsightly. It was firm, but not hard and had an overall nice oily sheen on it's milk chocolate Ecuadorian Sumatra wrapper. I detected some earthy notes and a bit of spice prior to lighting.  Once lit, I noticed the same in the first few draws as well. About midway through the first 3rd, I also picked up on some hay and cedar notes.

With plenty of smoke, I headed into the second 3rd of my smoke. The sweetness tapered off and revealed a bit more cedar and spice which was accompanied by leather. At this stage is when the cigar became fuller making it a solid medium bodied cigar. The ash held on for from between 1/2" to 3/4" pretty consistently.

Finishing up the cigar, I found that the preceding leather and cedar notes of the second 3rd falling away, introducing a nice cocoa taste. Additionally, I also detected the occasional coffee notes as I got into the back half of the final 3rd.  The smoke remained voluminous and the cigar never needed a touch up and kept an even burn throughout. 

The Loyal is a great smoke and at a very reasonable price. The Toraño family remains loyal to their customers in this regard, and as a result, customers remain loyal to the brand. I give this smoke an 89.

2011 Top Cigars

As the year 2011 comes to an end, I wanted to take some time to post the top three scoring cigars I've reviewed this year.  I've enjoyed smoking several different ones by different manufacturers, but wanted to highlight those I felt were outstanding.  Not all were released this year, but were my first time for smoking them.

I also want to highlight a few cigars that I enjoyed smoking but didn't have enough time set aside to review. I would like to suggest to you to keep your eye on them and give them a shot if possible.  I will probably finally review these over the next few months. And these honorable mentions are (in no specific order):

Room 101 Namakubi
Drew Estate Undercrown
Savinelli Liga Especial
Tatuaje Fausto
Zino Z-Class 500R

Now for the distillation of all the goodness I've experienced over the past year into the top 3 positions are:

#3 (tie) with a score of 93 -
Toraño Exodus 1959 50 Year and Joya de Nicaragua Cabinetta Serie No. 13

#2 with a score of 94 -
Macanudo Cru Royale

and with a score of 95, the #1 cigar of 2011 is:
The Crowned Heads Four Kicks!

Congrats to the crew at Crowned Heads for an incredible first year with your introductory line, Four Kicks!

I will be bringing in the new year with a Four Kicks tonight, what about you?


I'd like to thank all of you for reading and following me on this journey of enjoying cigars and the occasional spirit.  2012 looks to be an even better year with new cigars waiting to be tried and reviewed.  See you next year!

TORAÑO TEAMS UP WITH DWAYNE WADE

Almost forgot to post this.  Thanks Gabriel Pineres for the release!


July 14, 2011— Toraño Family Cigar Co. had the honor of being asked to be the official cigar partner at “The Party with a Purpose” event hosted by Miami Heat superstar Dwayne Wade at the Seminole Hard Rock Hotel &Casino to benefit the Kids2Camp fund.

Taking place on Wednesday July 13, 2011 the red carpet event was a spectacular affair where event goers mixed and mingled with NBA Champion Dwayne Wade and other athletes to include current Miami Dolphin wide receivers Devon Bess and Brian Hartline. Also in attendance was former Miami Dolphin tight end and current voice of the Miami Dolphins Joe Rose. The event which took place poolside at the Hard Rock Hotel featured cocktails and pork cooked in “La Caja China” which is a traditionally Cuban way of roasting pork. Continuing with Cuban tradition Toraño Family Cigar Co. was well represented as Master Roller Felipe Sosa and Carlos “Llaca” Toraño were in attendance as they cut and lit some of Toraño’s finest cigars for event goers.

Dwayne Wade stood on stage to thank sponsors and event guests for helping raise awareness and funds for the Kids2Camp fund which provides scholarships to disadvantaged or disabled youth as well as the opportunity to attend camps. As he was finishing his speech the “voice” of the Miami Dolphins Joe Rose announced that the Toraño Family had a special surprise for Wade as Carlos Llaca-Toraño presented Wade with a box of Limited Edition Carlos Toraño 2008 Tribute Churchill Cigars. A gracious Dwayne Wade thanked Carlos as he opened the box with excitement.

President of Toraño Family Cigar Co. Charlie Toraño was unable to attend the event but stated, “As a cigar company in Miami we are proud to take part in functions to help the less fortunate in our home city. We felt privileged to be asked to take part in such a special event”.