Vitola: Toro
Size: 5.5” x 54 ring gauge
MSRP $7.60
Provided by Miami Cigar & Company
Background
In 2011, Miami Cigar & Company teamed up with El Titan de Bronze (then helmed by Willy Herrera) to produce Chapter One of the Casa Miranda story. Casa Miranda is named for MCC’s founder, Nestor Miranda, whose name is also found on the Nestor Miranda Collection of cigars. I have tried several Chapter Ones and, while they are a solid smoke, I never found them all that enjoyable. Just not my preferred flavor profile. I had hopes that that would change when I heard last year about Chapter Two. From the company’s website:
Miami, FL June 6th, 2013 – Everybody loves a good sequel, and the Casa Miranda Chapter 2 is set to debut at IPCPR which is being held this year in Las Vegas, NV.
The follow up to the original which was made in Miami at the famed El Titan de Bronze, will be made at My Father Cigars S.A in Esteli, Nicaragua.
According to Jason Wood; VP of Miami Cigar & Company, “Just like any great novel, our story continues to gain momentum with the release of Chapter 2 at this years’ IPCPR. I look forward to our consumer’s feedback on this medium bodied beauty!”
The tobacco used for this new chapter is a dark Nicaraguan Corojo wrapper with filler from Brazil, Dominican Republic and Nicaragua.
It is available in the following sizes:
- Robusto (4.5 x 50) $6.35 MSRP
- Corona Gorda (6 x 46) $7.00 MSRP
- Toro (5.5 x 54) $ 7.60 MSRP
- Gran Toro (6 x 60) $8.00 MSRP
Don’t you hate it when movies get delayed…especially a long-anticipated sequel (I’m looking at you, Ghostbusters 3!). Seems like that happened here. While unveiled in July at the annual trade show, I had not seen any of the actual cigars until a pair showed up in my mailbox a couple weeks ago. The details about what tobaccos make up this cigar are in the quoted part above. This review is based on my second sample received from MCC.
Prelight
Chapter Two seems to be more colorful than Chapter One was. Starting with the band, One was browns, golds, and yellows with white letter on “Casa Miranda.” Two has deeper golds, with a touch of orange, the same browns as before, but then touches of deep red, specifically in the lettering that was white before. It’s a good look on the textured, high-end paper. The wrapper leaf on One was medium brown, while the Two has a rich, almost dark chocolate brown appearance, with lots of oils and couple large veins. Giving the wrapper a sniff, I picked up notes of wood and leather; the foot was rich, sweet and earthy. The prelight draw was very good; the cold flavor was earthy and a touch syrupy sweet.
Flavor
I fired up the Chapter Two and quickly got a burst of cedar flavor, along with earth and some pepper spice on both the palate and nose. Paying a little closer attention on subsequent puffs, I picked up a creamy coffee note along with a touch of sweetness. The whole thing was wrapped up in thick, oily smoke that was medium-plus in body. All-in-all, a very good way to start off the proceedings.
In the second third, I noted a little less pepper spice and creamy texture to the smoke, with a bit more cedar and earth. As I continued, I picked up a semi-sweet chocolate on the finish. In the last third, the pepper came back a little, mixing well with the sweetness. The cedar diminished some, helping to better balance the whole.
Construction
Typical of My Father standards, the construction was great. I had a great draw, solid ash and even-enough burn line.
Value
I remember the Chapter One as being a touch expensive…not overly so, just moreso than most other Miami Cigar sticks. Being made in Nicaragua, this was less pricey and since I like the flavor more, I would call it a much better value.
Conclusions
The Casa Miranda Chapter Two is, in my opinion, a sequel that improves on the original. The flavor was just flat-out better for my palate and the price was easier on the wallet. What I want to try now is how this blend plays out in the Corona Gorda size.
By-The-Numbers
Prelight: 2/2
Construction: 2/2
Flavor: 4/5
Value: 1/1
Total: 9/10
This article was original published on Tiki Bar Online
