Cigar: Carlos Toraņo Exodus 50 Years
Size: Short churchill 6" x 48
Wrapper: Brazilian Arapiraca
Binder: Honduran
Filler: Nicaraguan
Price: MSRP ~$7

Initial Impression/Prelight
I've always liked the look of this cigar - it has lovely, oily, dark brown Brazilian sun-grown Arapiraca wrapper, and this particular example had a few small veins and one moderate one. The double bands of copper and black match the wrapper well, and I enjoyed examining the details in the crest and the embossed letters.

The cigar was firmly packed, and had a couple small lumps near the head. Otherwise construction looked very good. I punched it, and the prelight draw was perfectly firm with hay and tobacco flavors most evident. This cigar has been resting in my humidor for a little over 2 months at 65% humidity. I enjoyed it during baby's post-pumpkin patch nap on a gorgeous 70 degree afternoon, while alternating between reading a book, writing in a journal, and watching stunt planes perform at the airshow a few miles away.



1st Third
I immediately tasted a strong, distinct dark chocolate. I got only minimal pepper and spiciness. The taste, much like Michelob Amber Bock, was both rich and smooth. The billowing white smoke was thick and impressive. The cigar burned well, no touch-ups required. Solid medium body and mild-medium strength so far.



2nd Third
The flavors picked up with some added sweetness and coffee to go with the cocoa early in the 2nd third. Smoke production surprised me pleasantly by increasing from already high levels. It pours off the foot after each puff, and despite it a slight breeze it was hanging together well in big, white clouds. The wrapper was nice and thick, still burned well. I started getting some sweet fruit towards the end of this section too.



Final Third
Best for last. The cocoa and rich sweetness intensified further, and I got flavors that reminded me of a Cabernet Sauvignon - dark cherry and raisin. No surprise that burn remained perfect, smoke poured off the cigar, and it had not a hint of bitterness all the way down to the nub. I reckoned medium-full flavor and medium strength at the end.



Overall Impressions
I've been smoking a new cigar each session for a month or two now, and this was a welcome and comfortable reintroduction to one of my earliest favorites. The cigar had a long, rich finish and thick, plentiful smoke. I thoroughly enjoyed the dark chocolate flavor from the start, and there was plenty of complexity to keep my interest to the end.

This was my first time trying this vitola, and it's my new favorite. I think it's a bit unusual of a size at 6"x48, but I reckon the slightly increased wrapper:filler ratio makes a bit of difference compared to the robustos and box-press robustos I've smoked previously. Either way, I'm down to about a dozen 50 Years in varying sizes and after smoking this one I've decided on my next box purchase, and short churchills it is.

This cigar has the distinction (much sought-after and desired...dare I say coveted?) of being one of my favorite all-time smokes. What an honor for the Toraņo family.

Buy a box. I've bought about 4 so far.