Today I would like to offer my review of the Tabacalera Caballeros Habano Toro. This is the third blend in the young company’s portfolio, joining the Maduro and Connecticut ,which I reviewed earlier and completes the company’s inaugural line up. Like its brethren, the Habano is hand crafted at Tabacalera Caballeros in the Dominican Republic.
The Tabacalera Caballeros Habano has a blend described by the company as:
- Wrapper – Habano
- Binder – Ecuador Sumatra
- Filler – Undisclosed
They are expressed in 3 different vitolas:
- Robusto (5 x 52) – MSRP $7.00
- Toro (6 x 54) – MSRP $8.00
- Gordo (6 x 60) – MSRP $10.00
For this review I sampled 2 of the habano toros, which I received from the company for the purpose of reviewing on Stogie Press.
Pre-Light Examination
The Tabacalera Caballeros Habano is wrapped with a mildly gritty (toothy) medium-dark brown leaf. There is a light oily sheen on it and few veins that are noticeable. I did notice that the was a mild softness on the foot, but the rest of the barrel felt firm. A simple cap finishes the construction.
A single band adorns the cigar which uses a white, gold, and black motif. The company logo is boldly printed on the front along with the declaration that this is the habano blend and that it is a product of the Dominican Republic.
I ran the cigar under the nose and noted the mild floral notes along the barrel while the foot offered notes of pepper and earth.
Using my CigarMedics Baller cutter, I opened the cap perfectly and proceeded to give it some cold draw puffs that I found to be a bit more open than normal and offering notes of growing peppery spice that gently stings the lips and back of the tongue.
Using my single flame Xikar torch, I warmed the foot to an even orange glow and drew in the first peppery blast to start the journey. Follow along as I burn this one to ash.
Cigar Review Notes
- Initial light offers a pepper shot to palate and nose
- Enticing cocoa aroma wafts off the foot
- A light grey ash forms on top of a medium thick char line that has a mild wave
- Draw is decent
- Tangy fruit notes join the mix
- Ash falls in a nice chunk revealing a flat and off centered burn cone
- Delicate natural tobacco sweetness balances the profile
- Spice notes begin to pick up with a continued tangy fruit
- Dark chocolate notes midway
- Burn runs off and required a major touch up and then behaved fine
- Woody nuances add deep in second third
- Increased spice and chocolate notes down to the final
- Medium in Strength
- Total Smoking Time was 1 hour and 40 minutes
Final Analysis
The first puff of the Tabacalera Caballeros Habano delivers an initial burst of peppery delight to both the palate and the senses, while an alluring cocoa scent gently drifts off the cigar’s foot. A seamless transition of tangy fruit notes join the evolving flavor profile. The touch of natural tobacco sweetness delicately balances the overall profile. As the smoke progresses, spice notes gain prominence, mingling with the persistent tangy fruitiness and later introducing a robust presence of dark chocolate. At the midpoint, a minor burn issue necessitates a significant touch-up, though the journey continues with the introduction of woody undertones, adding depth to the second third. The final stretch brings a crescendo of heightened spice and intensified chocolate notes bring this one to an end. This is worth grabbing a fiver of. I rate this a 91.
Point Deductions: (-1) Wavy Burn; (-2) Major Touch up; (-1) Off-centered Burn Cone
Bonus Points: (+1) Nicely Balanced Profile
