What did you smoke today? (Non-Habanos Edition)

**Brimy** · 10-01-2015, 10:02 AM

Originally Posted by pdq_wizzard

First one of these

sent from my bag phone

Casa Magna is a pretty good stick!
Especially that Oscuro wrapper; becoming one of my favorites (the wrapper

).

**Brimy** · 10-01-2015, 10:07 AM

Originally Posted by Usafvet509

Nica Libre 1990 perfecto, from an earlier buy. I like these quite a bit. I think we had a fragfest over at the old place about a review that put these up against Padron '64, but hey for a $2-3 stick, it's a win-win

I don't know if it really ranks with the '64!
But I hear it's one of those budget friendly sticks that get much better with a long rest.

Originally Posted by NeverBend

2013 Torano Colisseum with the last of my light coffee. Dreary, cool (seems cold) day.

How did you like it? Had & liked a few of Toraño's blends, but haven't had that one.

**OtismyMan** · 10-01-2015, 02:42 PM

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

**NeverBend** · 10-01-2015, 02:46 PM

Originally Posted by Brimy

How did you like it? Had & liked a few of Toraño's blends, but haven't had that one.

Hi Brian,

Especially with boutique (read: short run) cigar lines, when I like them, I buy them because the next run of the line may not be the same. The first Colosseum (Churchills) were very good, eye-popping value @~$1.25 a stick, so I loaded up. I bought about 100 more in various sizes and based on the Colosseum I also bought a box of Loyal (Robusto) and a few Exodus. I smoke through the bundle or 5-pack and then come back some time later for more.

The Colosseum Rothschild (5-pack) weren't on the level with the Churchill but they were still excellent values. The Colosseum since, Toro, Rothschild and Churchill, including the bundle that I'm smoking through now (maduro) have all been sliding down the slope in quality, construction and consistency. I've been smoking them @68-70rh and I suspect that they would be at least incrementally better @~62rh.

My experience with the Loyal is similar. Nice flavor on the unlit draw but it doesn't really deliver in the smoke.

The (few) Exodus were more consistent than the Loyal but all three lines get spongy, (too) smoky, burn problems and flavors are inconsistent. This all sounds worse than they've been but I don't know what I'm getting when I grab one. Had you asked me after the first 5 Colosseum Churchills, I'd have been thumbs up.

What lines of Torano have you tried and liked?

Regards,

Pete

Edit Note: Just lit another Churchill maduro. Looked good, felt solid. Became soft and spongy upon lighting. Burn line was seriously bubbled and uneven, way smoky and harsh. Let it sit and then relighted. Improved (especially burn that's flat and almost even) but a weak draw and still a lot of smoke (on the burning end). Sort of says it all.

Pete