Blind Cigar Review: Charlie Toraño | Captiva Robusto

Cigar Info

We broke the news of this cigar back in July, here, just before the IPCPR 2014 show, and should be shipping soon after this review. The Captiva cigar is made with a beautiful oily Ecuadorian wrapper and is combined with Nicaraguan fillers that have been specially aged and selected by Charlie Toraño. The cigar is medium to full bodied, with notes of coffee, chocolate, and sweet peppery spice. Captiva retails between $7.95 and $8.95 and will come in 4 sizes: Robusto 5×52, Toro 6×50, Churchill 7×47, and BFC 6×60.

“Captiva, which is a very small island off the coast of Southwest Florida, is my favorite place in the entire world,” said Charlie Toraño. Every year I plan a summer family trip there which serves as my get-away from the everyday. It takes me back to the true essence of cigars. I am able to smoke and simply relax as I feel the pressures of life dissipate with every puff. I am able to reflect, count my blessings, and recharge my batteries. The Captiva cigar is a very elegant and flavorful cigar which represents the slow rhythms of the Island.”

Vital Stats:

Vitola: Robusto
Length: 5″
Ring Gauge: 52
Country of Origin: Nicaragua
Wrapper: Ecuadorian Habano
Binder: Undisclosed
Filler: Nicaragua
Factory: Undisclosed
Blender: Charlie Toraño
Number of reviewers: 4—–Paul (pmr1010) Jiunn (jliu) Robert (NavyPiper) Jason (bigslowrock)
Price: $7.96
Age: 2 Months
Release Date: September 2014
Contributed by: Toraño Cigars

Initial Impressions

Appearance: 91

“Today’s review is a very nice looking Robusto, measuring 5X52. The wrapper is medium brown and has a mild sheen to it. It is nice and straight, has a mild rounded head and the seams are tight and well blended.” –Robert (NavyPiper)

Aroma: 88

“I’m getting a nice tobacco aroma and pre-light draw. There is also some nice notes of chocolate in there.” –Jason (bigslowrock)

First Third

Flavor: 86
Strength: Medium-Strong
Body/Complexity: Medium

“The cap cut perfectly and upon lighting was not too strong, but had some power. From the start, there was not much smoke either but just enough to enjoy. The first flavors that I found were cocoa and a little coffee, a little surprising but nice. I expected leather and some tanginess but there was none, just a straight forward cocoa. My initial thought of what comes to my mind when I think of a cigar was spot on though, the smoke coming off of the foot was exactly that way, a real traditional cigar smoke smell. Nice, warm and tobacco. A slight thought of freshness came to mind. Maybe like a really good fresh rolled cigar.” –Paul (pmr1010)

“First third starts with lingering tongue tingling pepper, dark chocolate, wood, semi-creaminess and a great almost perfume like floral note. The perfume like floral note is more prominent through the retrohale. I really dig that! About an inch in, the pepper is starting to creep into the back of my throat. Thumbs down for that.” –Jiunn (jliu)

Second Third

Flavor: 89
Strength: Medium
Body/Complexity: Medium

“As this cigar progressed, I noticed the strength of the smoke decreased slightly but the flavors grew more complex. Chocolate was showing up in a nice rounded way complimenting the cocoa and coffee flavors I experienced earlier on. Not often, but now and then I picked up a slight white pepper flavor that was a nice change, not enough to bite but enough to give another layer to the flavors. There was definitely less power towards the end of the second third as it came into its stride. The smoke was also dry throughout the second third, more so than in the first.” —Paul (pmr1010)

“As I begin the second third, there is a bit of harshness creeping in. The off putting flavor component is not as dominant, but still comes and goes. The creaminess has begun to fade too. The flavor profile changes a bit to deliver some sweetness, chocolate and a bit of pepper. There is also a touch of graham.” –Jason (bigslowrock)

Final Third

Flavor: 88
Strength: Medium-Strong
Body/Complexity: Medium

“Last third was not as enjoyable as the first and second third. Everything I enjoyed within the first and/or second third (perfume like / floral aspects, coffee and cream, dark chocolate and semi-creaminess) is all at a distant back drop. The cigar now leaves me with mainly un-focused and un-concentrated notes of pepper, cream and wood. With about an inch and a half left, the cigar became bitter and thus ending my smoking experience.” –Jiunn (jliu)

“The flavor intensity stayed the same ’til about half way in, then sadly it started to slowly decrease to where it was in the first third- which was a bummer to me. Wish it would have stayed like it was in the second third, which was in my opinion, the best third.” –Robert (NavyPiper)

Overall Impressions

Draw: 87

“The draw was pretty darn snug in the beginning, but reaming it did help some. I prefer an easier draw, but others may like it as it is.” –Robert (NavyPiper)

Burn: 94

“The burn was very good. It required no touch ups or relights. There was a bit of coning. The smoke production was very good and the ash retention started off with about 2″, but then started dropping it after about 1/2″.” –Jason (bigslowrock)

Construction: 92

“Except for maybe using a clearer wrapper, this cigar was very nicely rolled and formed. The ash held on for almost half of the cigar so I believe this was a very well made cigar. The ash was firm, almost not wanting to come off, and broke cleanly.” –Paul (pmr1010)

Overall Strength: Medium-Strong
Overall Body/Complexity: Medium
Overall Experience: 88

“Except for a little too much dryness at times, the flavors were very nice and the smoke reduced over time which is nice. I think the quality of this cigar and the blending was very well executed, and if paired with a nice semi-sweet beverage like bourbon or lemon sweet tea, it would be great!” –Paul (pmr1010)

“Overall, this was a good cigar. If the pepper did not lodge in the back of my throat, I would have rated this cigar a notch higher. The pockets of perfume like floral notes, coffee and cream was excellent. I wish these notes held on throughout the cigar. The last third was a bit of a let down due to the lack of concentrated flavors as compared to the first and second third. If I was given the opportunity to smoke this again, I would hold onto it hoping age will cure the pepper.” –Jiunn (jliu)

“All in all it was good. Wish the intensity of the second third would’ve been present in all thirds, so when it faded out, it was disappointing to me. But it wasn’t a bad stogie, just my preferences.” –Robert (NavyPiper)

“The initial flavor profile just wasn’t for me. It got better, but not something that I would care to repeat.” –Jason (bigslowrock)
–

Smoking Time (in minutes): 78

Edit

Reviewer	Appearance	Aroma	1/3	2/3	3/3	Draw	Burn	Constr.	Overall
Paul	92	95	95	90	95	97	97	95	95
Jiunn	95	88	85	88	83	87	100	97	88
Robert	90	88	87	90	88	85	88	90	88
Jason	90	90	75	85	88	87	90	90	83

To view the complete scores and notes, click here.
–

Blind Cigar Review: Toraño | Captiva Robusto