So, my 5'er of toro's came today. I managed to scoop them off the back porch before they got too cold and, after a grace period for warming up put flame to leaf.
First, the hype (ref.: Cbid):
"Everything about Cuba Libre One demands the spotlight. A beautiful, elegant band. A dark and oily Habano-seed ligero wrapper from the fields of Honduras' Jamastran Valley. A searing mixture of aged long-fillers, including Cuban-seed ligeros from Esteli and Condega of Honduras, with even more ligeros from Honduras. Then, its unique use of two full-flavored binders: a zesty Habano from Jalapa, Nicaragua and a hearty Costa Rican leaf. Complex is an understatement here. Cuba Libre One is Cuban-esque to the core, dishing out rich nuances throughout the slow burn. Expertly balanced notes of coffee, earth, pepper, and cream are complemented perfectly by a dee-lish, semi-sweet finish. This cigar is good, real good, and I suggest you try it soon....I'm confident it'll find its way into your regular rotation after just a couple sticks - if not after just one."
Now, the lowdown:
Beautiful wrapper. Reddish brown, glistening with oil , smooth with smallish veins. The Palio revealed a perfect draw and smoking commenced.
Initially I am struck by a pronounced woody dryness to the smoke. This persisted until about the fifth or sixth full draw when the game changed in a big way. Enter the true soul of this cigar - deeply creamy, leathery and slightly floral with a long, sweet finish. Oh, yumm. What started out rather one dimensional and almost overly woody is now making me lick my lips from the sweet richness I'm experiencing.
There is no doubt the joy I'm getting from this stick is due in large part to the wonderful blend of ligeros used in the wrapper and filler. I have found out in the past year I am evidently a huge ligero fan. Long Live Ligero!!
Anyhow, the middle of the cigar approaches,the richness has intensified and I'm getting a little nutmeg with a dash of espresso thrown in. Such a cool smoke and the burn has been razor straight. Not bad for a minimally rested cigar smoked ROTT. Still, such creaminess! And the aftertaste has an almost minty quality along with the sweetness. What I haven't mentioned is the strength and this toro has balls. I usually don't notice much of a nicotine kick from any but the strongest cigars and I feel that pleasant familiar buzz now. Glad I ate before I smoked this thing. I hate to use the "C"-word but..... this cigar is nothing if not "Cubanesque". There, I said it.
Into the final third now and the cool smoke is still lip-smackingly tasty. No harshness at all just rich, sweet and savory flavors, puff after delicious puff. Only one relight as I approach the nub. The end is a flavor bomb without the slightest heat.
So, wadda ya think? Think I liked this cigar? You would be incorrect. I LOVED this cigar! Forget what you know about th regular line in terms of flavor profile, this is clearly the superior blend. The regular Cuba Libre was a nice smoke, IMO, but nothing more and I probably won't be seeking more. I will most definitely be adding more Cuba Libre One to my humidor in the, hopefully near, future.
I'll be interested to hear other opinions.
hoyodude wrote:
