MBombay Classic Torpedo Cigar Review – Elegant and Pleasurable – Rated 95

Happy New Year everyone, and with the start of every year comes introductions of new cigar blends and line extensions. This year started early as I recently got some samples of the latest Mel Shah creation – the MBombay Classic Torpedo. As you may have read in the press release, a couple of weeks ago, this is a line extension to the widely popular MBombay Classic line. I won’t bore you with all the details of the release, as you have already read the press release or you can just read it here on Stogie Press. What I will do is repeat what Mel said about his latest introduction:

“MBombay® Classic was our first blend that we introduced in May of 2014. “Figurados” are always a challenge at the factory level. Not to mention, the “Perfectos” and the “Pyramid” shapes’ production always creates a tug-of-war scenario, when a demand is for a “Torpedo”, with selective and highly experienced cigar rollers.”

Well now that I have had time to examine this some more, I have to say it is deserving of the MBombay name and certainly rounds out the MBombay Classic lineup.

The MBombay Classic Torpedo blend is described as:

• Wrapper – Ecuador
• Binder – Ecuador
• Filler – Peru, Dominican Republic & Nicaragua

You can’t technically buy these by the box or single, they are only available in a special MBombay sampler package that also includes:

• MBombay® Mora Toro
• MBombay® Habano Robusto
• MBombay® Corojo Oscuro Robusto
• Gaaja® Toro

The complete sampler retails for $45.00 which I consider a great offer, and you get the MBombay Classic Torpedo to enjoy. Let’s focus on the Classic Torpedo shall we?

Pre-Light Examination

The Ecuadorian wrapper on this is simply exquisite, satin-smooth to the touch and gleaming in the light. It is golden tan in color with few veins, tight seams, a well finished torpedo cap and a closed foot. It is solid from head to foot and I have to say I really like how it reflects the light.

This blonde beauty is adorned simply with the MBombay® Classic brand mark. There is no over sleeve, no footer or secondary band. It is the classic.

The pre-light aromas were classic MBombay – delightful sweet spice along the barrel and closed foot.

Like all Torpedos, I sliced it with my double Zikar cutter about a 1/4 don’t from the tip. The draw was restricted just to my liking and graced my palate with notes of butter, red pepper and an unknown exotic spice.

As all of Mel’s craft, this is a cigar I feel I am going to enjoy – so I picked out a cedar spill to warm the foot and took a few ignition puffs. The closed foot took to the flame like a good kindling and ignited the foot evenly. It was time to lean back on my leather couch and tune in some soft jazz and blues to carry me through the journey. I closed my eyes and let the stress of the day fade away.

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Cigar Review Notes

• Smooth gentle spice to start with pepper on the nose
• Delightful nut and fruit emerge after an inch
• Light grey to white ash rests majestically on a medium char line
• Cedar notes join the party of flavor providing an excellent core
• Very smooth smoke
• Floral and nut aroma fills the room like mild incense
• Perfect burn inch and half in
• Light citrus enters midway
• Ash held solid till just after the midway point along a slightly wavy burn line
• Once the ash fell there was centered and fairly flat burn cone
• Creamy Butter notes enter near the end of the second third
• Cedar core evolves into a toasted oak (think roasted acorns)
• Lots of fruit entering with peppery spice on the retrohale
• Definitely a dance between the fruit and oak
• Did I mention the smooth easy smoke?
• Sweetness add to the nutty aroma
• Sweet almond note take on the palate in the final third
• Delightfully mild plus in strength
• Total Smoking Time was 1 hour and 20 minutes

Overall, the MBombay Classic Torpedo was an absolute pleasure of creamy flavorful smoke delivered through a a mostly pristine burn. The ash held for more than half the cigar and there were no major issues with it. I took this deep into nub!  For a Connecticut this was a complex yet balanced cigar that a true aficionado would enjoy, yet a beginner could develop their palate with. This is one to pair with a fine Speyside Single Malt like Aberlour 15 to enhance the floral, oak and fruit notes in the smoke.

Point Deductions: (-1) Flat Burn Cone, (1) Wave in Burn Line

Bonus Points (+1) Excellent Ash