Vital Stats:

This cigar was reviewed blind (no bands) by a panel of at least 4 reviewers. They did not know what they were smoking beforehand. The scores are an average of all the reviewers' scores with outliers removed.

Vitola: Toro

Length: 6″

Ring Gauge: 50

Country of Origin: Dominican Republic

Wrapper: Connecticut Broadleaf Maduro

Binder: Connecticut Broadleaf

Filler: Dominican Olor

Factory: Tabacalera Turey

Blender: Undisclosed

Number of reviewers: 4—–Sandeep (Djangos) Gregg (McGreggor57) Robert (NavyPiper) Dave (mdwest)

Price: $2.66

Age: 3 Months

Release Date: October 2013

Contributed by: JM’s Tobacco

Initial Impressions

Appearance: 88

“This cigar is wrapped with a medium brown leaf that is almost completely void of any sheen or oil. It’s got medium tooth and visible but tight seams. The cap is a little bit off kilter, but this shouldn’t create a problem with the cut or the smoke.” –Dave (mdwest)

Aroma: 89

“The prelight aroma is that of pepper and leather. Not too complex, but pleasant none the less. There is also a very faint woody component. The dry draw through the punch cut was free and there was definite white pepper and hints of sweet leather.” –Sandeep (Djangos)

First Third

Flavor: 88

Strength: Medium

Body/Complexity: Medium

“Baking spices with an underlying mild coffee and hint of anise. There’s not much spice on the retrohale, although some bitter chocolate comes and goes. The flaky white ash and smoke production is surprising, given the open draw. Toward the end of this third the coffee and chocolate are coming up in the mix and I’m detecting tea on the retro.” –Gregg (McGreggor57)

“Lots of pepper noticed from the very first draw, followed by hay, tobacco and perhaps a little bit of nutmeg on the finish.” –Dave (mdwest)

Second Third

Flavor: 89

Strength: Medium

Body/Complexity: Medium

“Luckily, the bitterness that I encountered most of the first third is definitely dying down as I enter the next third. However, the draw now seems to be having a problem. I cut the cap with my V cutter and this definitely opened it up significantly. The harshness is still present and seems to coat the back of my throat. The predominant flavor is that of leather and cedar with some hay like quality. So far the cigar has been plagued with a lot of issues. The burn line continues to be straight and once the draw issue is better the smoke is good and creamy.” –Sandeep (Djangos)

“The cedar, leather and spice is still present and is gradually increasing in strength as the third progresses. In the second half of this third, started to get a little acrid or bitterness creeping in. Finish is short and clean with no lingering flavors on the palate. At the end of this third, started to get a red pepper which was beginning to give a little heat and zing.” –Robert (NavyPiper)

Final Third

Flavor: 88

Strength: Medium

Body/Complexity: Medium

“Going into the final third, the harshness is still very much there but thankfully the bitterness is completely gone. The leather is very prominent at this time and there is more hay and grassy flavors now. No sweet flavors are present. This is turning out to be the best third thus far for this cigar. Not much complexity, but not many problems either! The cigar ends with an increase in pepper and a slight saltiness to the exhale. The burn did not have any issues and once the V cut was made there were no further issues with the draw.” –Sandeep (Djangos)

“In this third, the previous flavors are the same, but really ramped up in intensity, especially the red pepper. The acrid bitterness that showed up earlier is continuing, and half way through this third began getting an odd ‘tang’ on the draw, which coupled with the bitterness and red pepper completely overwhelmed all other flavors.” –Robert (NavyPiper)

Overall Impressions

Draw: 89

“From beginning to end the draw was great. Not too loose and not overly restrictive in any way!” –Robert (NavyPiper)

Burn: 97

“This cigar held a pretty straight burn line throughout. The ash was nice and light, holding on for a couple of inches at a time.” –Gregg (McGreggor57)

Construction: 93

“The cigar felt well constructed with a firm overall feel. There were no soft spots or issues with the wrapper. The cigar was pre-punched but I am not sure if this is the norm for this brand.” –Sandeep (Djangos)

Overall Strength: Medium

Overall Body/Complexity: Medium

Overall Experience: 86

“Unfortunately, the cigar does not score very high because of the bitterness that was very prominent drowning off most of the other flavors earlier on. Also, there was a harshness that was present well into the last third. The draw went tight in the middle third that had to be rectified with a V cut. I am almost certain that I possibly got an aberrant cigar. Given the pre light promise I would like to try this one more time before deciding.” –Sandeep (Djangos)

“If not for the review, this would’ve been tossed early on. The flavors didn’t work particularly well for me and became very muddled beginning with the second third. I have no interest in trying this cigar again.” –Gregg (McGreggor57)

“Very intriguing cigar as I’ve never experienced a red pepper flavor before that I can recall. Started off pretty tame and mild, but slowly grew in intensity flavor wise. The acrid/bitterness I didn’t much care for, and the ‘tang’ in the final third was surprising, and I really didn’t care much for it, but that’s just me. I’d be willing to try another one to see how they compare.” –Robert (NavyPiper)

“Overall not a bad cigar. It’s a bit lacking in the complexity department, and it might have benefited from being laid down for a few more months, but it performed extremely well and was obviously well constructed. I probably wouldn’t mind re-visiting it again sometime in the future.” –Dave (mdwest)

Smoking Time (in minutes): 75

Total Score: 89 (Good)

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To view the complete scores and notes, click here.

Blind Cigar Review: JM’s Dominican Maduro Toro