After years in the making, the cigar that pays tribute to the iconic masterpiece of the same name – “A Bronx Tale” – is finally about to hit the shelves of humidors across the country. Made in collaboration with Pauly DiSilvio of La Casa Grande Tobacco Company in the Bronx, Dean Parsons of Epic Cigars, and Chazz Palminteri this is a cigar this is sure to please.
We’ve all heard of A Bronx Tale, a once critically acclaimed play turned movie classic and musical, written and created by Chazz Palminteri. The grandson of immigrants, Mr. Palminteri has dedicated this cigar to his grandfather, Calogero, and to all hardworking families who came to the United States to establish a better life. A Bronx Tale is a culturally significant classic with a huge impact on popular culture. In the film, we see a young boy who grows up in the Bronx, torn between the values of his hardworking father and the allure of the local mob boss. The play and film explores themes of loyalty, family, and the struggle to find one’s identity in a changing world.
Also from the Bronx, La Casa Grande Tobacco Company is known for its premium cigars, which are handmade in their Bronx factory and sold in the company’s retail shop. DiSilvio teamed up with Dean Parsons of Epic Cigars and Zander-Greg Imports to bring Palminteri’s long time desire to have a cigar carrying the iconic name and matching its story. Epic Cigars used Tabacalera Von Eiken in the Dominican Republic for production.
Pauly DiSilvio stated:
“We have been aging these for 3 years and it’s finally time. Distributed by Epic Cigars and blended by me Pauly DiSilvio , this is one of the greatest accomplishments by yours truly. Join the many in The Cigar industry and celebrity guest as we party with Chazz and Friends.”
The trio describe blend as:
- Wrapper – Cuban seed Ecuador Habano
- Binder – Dominican
- Filler – Dominican and Nicaraguan
The Chazz Palminteri’s A Bronx Tale cigar is expressed in a single box-pressed Toro (6 x 54). They are packaged in beautiful black gloss 10-count boxes and have an MSRP of $20.00/cigar.
For this review I sampled 5 of the Bronx Tale Toros which I received by attending the inaugural launch event at La Casa Grande Cigars back in June.
Pre-Light Examination
The Chazz Palminteri’s A Bronx Tale Box Pressed Toro is cloaked in a medium brown wrapper that has a matte finish. There are a few noticeable veins but overall, it has a silky-smooth feel. The barrel has just the right give for a box pressed cigar and the pressing is closer to crisp than rounded. A double cap finishes the construction.
A single band adorns the cigar using a black, gold, and white motif. The band symbolizes Chazz’s Bronx neighborhood – Belmont Ave 187th Street and prominently displays the name “A Bronx Tale”. I have to say I like the look of the band and the overall packaging.
Running the barrel along the nose, I did not pick up much if any aromas. Moving to the foot, there was a distinct barnyard note filling the nostrils.
I used my CigarMedics Baller cutter to open the cap perfectly and gave the cigar some cold draw puffs. The draw was a tad more open than I prefer while offering notes of tanginess, earth, and a touch of pepper.
Using my Xikar single flame fan torch, I warmed the foot to even orange glow as an inviting cinnamon aroma immediately wafted off the foot filling the air around me. Follow along as I burn this one to ash.
Cigar Review Notes
- Cinnamon aroma right of the initial light
- The draw is very easy offering palate filling smoke on every puff
- First notes to hit the palate are mild acidic and coffee
- After a quarter inch of burn, the blend starts to balance out as a pleasant citrus note joins mix moistening the palate
- A solid light grey ash forms on top of a mildly jagged and thin char line
- Medium level of citrus maintains as a cream component underlays it deep in first third
- Aroma shifts to more of a nut
- Ash fell in a good chunk, revealing a slightly off centered burn cone
- Coffee start to increase
- Bitter dark chocolate enters in the second third along with an increased peppery spice
- Midway the coffee notes come forward with a bit of leather
- Tannic notes develop deep in second third
- Coffee and pepper spice take it down to the final
- Medium in Strength
- Total Smoking Time was 1 hour and 35 minutes
Final Analysis
The initial puff of Chazz Palminteri’s A Bronx Tale Box Pressed Toro releases a delightful waft of cinnamon, enticing the senses. The draw is smooth, producing rich, mouth-filling smoke. A slight acidic note throws the palate off at the start before morphing into a coffee note. About a quarter of an inch into the burn, the blend begins to find equilibrium, introducing a pleasant citrus note that adds moisture to the palate. Throughout the first third, a moderate level of citrus remains, with a creamy undertone beneath, creating a harmonious balance. The aroma transitions, now resembling the scent of roasted nuts.
As the experience progresses, the coffee notes become more pronounced, and the introduction of bitter dark chocolate and heightened peppery spice occur in the second third. By the midway point, coffee takes the forefront, accompanied by a hint of leather. Deep within the second third, tannic notes develop throwing the palate off again. The final stretch of the cigar journey is marked by a blend of coffee and peppery spice.
This is one that I would say try one and be your own judge. As for me I felt the acidic notes at the start and tannic notes later in the burn attacked the palate. I rate this an 89.
Point Deductions: (-1) Acidic Start; (-1) Jagged burn; (-1) Off centered burn cone; (-1) Tannic deep in second third; (-1) Try one
