Cigar in Capri Italy

Tried to find a good ciga in Capri, Italy.  They have to do the danger smoking will kill you wraps like I found in Australia.

Kristoff Signature Series JT Edition

Thats right, JT edition.  Jarrid Trudeau - VP of Sales for Kristoff, asked if he could make his own edition of a Kristoff cigar using a bunch of HVA ('Habano Vuelta Abajo') leaves they had laying around.  From Habanos.com site The finest cigar tobacco-growing land in the world. Vuelta Abajo*is the main source of tobacco for Habanos, and the only zone that grows all types of leaf: wrappers, filler and binders. Indeed all tobacco for fillers and binders for Long Filler Habanos comes from this privileged zone. Not surprisingly Vuelta Abajo is also protected as a Denomination of Origin. 

These limited cigars are made with a Sumatra Binder and Dominican and Nicaraguan filler.  Jarrid wanted to make a cigar that he would smoke himself whenever he had down time.  He likes box pressed cigars, so these are box pressed.  I think the last time they did box pressed is about 2002.  He likens these to a Padron '69, and these are a very mild cigar with a little spice.  Not a chocolate or earthy flavor in these.  It took about 3 years to source the right blends of tobacco to get these to the exact blend he was looking for. 
I got a nice ash, as you can tell in the picture, before it finally fell off, and it had a very easy draw for a box press.

They are using entubar style and not booking or accordion style.

For those that care Entubar (or “Entubado”) is a “bunching technique which rolls each filler leaf into itself, almost like a small scroll. Each individually “scrolled” leaf is then placed together to form the bunch. This skillful rolling technique creates a more firmly packed cigar which allows air to travel between all of the leaves, carrying more aromatics/flavors to the palate. Entubado rolling is the most difficult and complex bunching method and is therefore rarely employed in large scale manufacturing. 
There is also another form of bunching called Accordion. This method “involves folding the outer sides of the filler leaves inward, one at a time, and placing the leaves on top of each other until the bunch is complete: then the leaves are rolled together with a binder leaf. The “folds” created by this technique allow excellent air passage through the cigar.”
A third type of bunching is called Book. “An alternative to entubado or accordion rolling, booking involves laying filler leaves flatly on top of one another and then folding them up, like a book or taco, to complete the bunch. This technique is simpler than entubado and accordion rolling and creates a less aerated cigar structure: placing the leaves directly on top of each other does not allow as much air to pass through each individual leaf in the cigar.”
The Book method is also the most often used type of bunching since it can be done more quickly and efficiently, thereby helping increase production.

This cigar uses the Kristoff standard pigtail and shaggy foot.  The shaggy is supposed to help light it, but I find it easier to cut a little bit off before I 'foot' the cigar with my lighter.

Kristoff is entering its 15th anniversary, so congrats to them on a great run so far.  These cigars are only going to be at vendors that have a cigar event so you may have to shop around to find them.

Token picture of Jarrid and I the the Leaf and Cedar event in Louisville.

Carlos Torano Master Rating 94.33

Smoked this one over at leaf and cedar cigar shop in Louisville.  They have a nice outdoor smoking area and good conversation if you have never been there.
This cigar smoke very nice and could pick up leather and earthy flavor.  I tend to migrate toward full bodied cigars and this on hit the mark.


From Mikes Cigars site:
MASTER by Charlie Torano is one of the latest premium cigars made by up and coming Torano family cigar group. Charlie Torano, who is the great grandson of company founder Carlos Torano is taking this boutique cigar company to the next level. The company was founded in La Havana, Cuba in 1916 and was moved to the free world after Castro took over in 1959.

The first success they made with the EXODUS which was made to commemorate the exile from their homeland and they are best known for the EXODUS SILVER and the EXODUS 50 YEAR - 1959. to create the MASTER, Charlie Torano collaborated with master roller Felipe Sosa to develop the Master concept, he told us: “Master’s box art bears the image of Felipe for a good reason. His talent, initiative, and character have earned him the title of Master Roller. He and I work in unison to oversee every aspect of blending and manufacturing this premier cigar. We feel confident the Toraño reputation for never compromising quality and performance is further enhanced by our new collaboration. Few people know of Felipe’s courage and determination. He had been rolling cigars in Cuba, acquiring extraordinary skills. Felipe’s work is a testimony of a great talent and desire to excel that far surpassed those of his fellow cigar artisans. At age 32, he left family and friends, and entrusted his life, and the lives of his wife and infant son, to a tiny raft, drifting away from Cuba for a better life in America. Now, the flawless construction, consistency and beauty of our cigars have gained admiration among smokers and retailers at Toraño events, at which he has rolled thousands of personalized cigars.”

The Master comes in four different sizes that cost an average of $5 a stick! The Carlos Torano Master line is “for the man with a seasoned palate, a cigar that fully satisfies after an opulent meal or an evening pairing with spirits. True aficionados will discern and appreciate the balanced flavor and body.” Torano says.

The best sizes of Torano Master are: Torano Master BFC, Torano Master Churchill, Torano Master Robusto and Torano Master Torpedo.

601 Blue Label Maduro 88.67 rating

Smoke this one on my front porch with a nice Eagle Rare Bourbon.  The wrapper cam a little loose, so do not know if was a tad too dry or what.  It had great aroma and taste and would do this again, even though it is rated a little lower than some of my usual ratings.  However, could pick up nice spices, the bourbon may have helped bring out some of the flavor :).

Review for Cigars International site.

A box-press beauty from Erik Espinosa.

As if 601 Serie wasn't good enough, Erik Espinosa decided to raise the bar with this maduro-wrapped lovely finished in box-pressed format. On the outside, a dark Nicaraguan maduro glistens with oils and boasts a mouthwatering, toothy texture. Inside, a robust blend of aged Cuban-seed long-leaf tobaccos marries to promote a rich, medium to full-bodied profile layered with satisfying flavors.

Expect a classic combination of earth and coffee complemented by a touch of spice on the finish. Naturally, quality is top-notch with each slow-burning cigar, so sit back and savor this impressive super-premium. Stack 601 up against any other box-pressed maduro on the market — we're sure you'll be pleasantly surprised.

601 Blue Label Maduro received a healthy, 93-point rating, which noted: "A thick, box-pressed cigar with a triple-seam cap and dark, clean wrapper. The substantial draw layers the palate with a chewy, complex smoke full of dark-roasted espresso bean flavours, touches of almond, and caramel."