Asylum

Premium Toro

I don’t know much about Asylum other than that their website is terrible (I tried to visit the page about the Asylum Premium brand–clicking the “learn more” link led to a 404. Upon finally finding the page, I saw pictures of 4 vitolas. Would you believe that the bottom three are all 6” long? And what’s with “Torpwdo”? What is going on over there? Is the theme that the website is made by asylum inmates, or is it just bad?) Luckily, the cigar itself seems like it was made by more capable hands.

Statistics

CotM: January 2013







Chosen by: T_Avalon

T_Avalon





Shape: Parejo







Size: 6 x 50







Country of Origin: Honduras







Wrapper: Nicaraguan Habano







Binder: Nicaraguan







Filler: Nicaraguan







Color: Colorado-Maduro







Strength: Medium-Full







Price Paid: $5.00







Smoke Date: 7/03/2013

7/03/2013





Age: 7 weeks

Accessories Used

Montecristo Social Club Key punch, Bugatti B-2002 lighter with “pyramid” double-flame torch, Handmade English walnut ashtray made by wedgewoodrings.

Pairing

Bai Mu Dan loose leaf Chinese white tea served in a blue dragonfly Japanese teapot with matching cup . Also known as “white peony”, it is the most flavorful of the major white teas. The flowery smoothness of the tea really balanced well with the chocolate flavors of the chocolate.

Appearance/Nose

The wrapper was mottled brown and somewhat oily. The triple cap was smooth and pretty. The band was a heart with wings, done in ink-pen style. It reminds me a bit of a biker gang logo–or maybe a “tramp stamp” tattoo. There was a small “2012” on the back, so I assume that’s when this cigar was rolled. The nose on this stick was truly nice. Chocolate, coffee, and caramel. I figured if If it smoked half as good as it smelled cold, it was going to be a treat.

Construction

The stick seemed well constructed. It was springy to a squeeze, and seemed a little more densely packed at the foot. The ash was bright white, and with the dark brown wrapper and the flavors of chocolate, I couldn’t help but think of s’mores. Sadly, it could not manage an inch at a time before falling.

Cold Draw

Cold draw off the punch cut was a little too tight, but filled with tastes of tobacco and pepper–quite different from the nose.

Smoking

First third

The first couple puffs were quite chocolatey. The draw opened up a little, but remained a fairly tight. Smoke production was quite high.a little bit in, a slice of orange joined the chocolate, which itself remained predominant.

The burn remained razor sharp. The ash fell off unexpectedly less than an inch in. The orange died off shortly after, leaving the cocoa flavor alone. Tasty, but simple. The retrohale revealed even more chocolate.

Second third

Coming into the second third, some pepper really kicked in. It was especially apparent on the retrohale.

Chocolate and pepper continued their merry way into may taste buds. The burn remained sharp and straight, though the ash continued to fall early.

Final third

The flavor shifted a little bit on the final third. The chocolate and pepper continued and became a bit woody.

The burn stayed even, the draw stayed tight, and the ash stayed flaky and white. It did manage to stay on a little longer this time.

Notes

Draw: Tight

Tight





Body: Medium-Full

Medium-Full





Primary Flavors: Chocolate, more chocolate, pepper

Chocolate, more chocolate, pepper





Smoke Output: High

High





Smoke Time: 1 hour, 45 minutes

Overall

The chocolate was strong with this one. I don’t think I have had a more chocolatey cigar (though some have come close). The flavors were never super strong, but at times it was a bit like smoking a Hershey bar. It wasn’t quite the experience that the nose had promised before lighting, and the ash was a little disappointing, but overall, this was a pretty enjoyable smoke. I would not hesitate to have another.

Rating