Vitola: Robusto- 5” x 50 ring gauge
- MSRP $5.50
- Provided by General Cigar
Background
Earlier this week, I looked at the new Toraño “Purple” label, also known as the Vault TM-027. Today I’m continuing my exploration of the new Toraño releases with the Green label, known as the Vault P-044. You can read more about the background of the new Toraño blends in my review of the TM-027, but basically these “Vault” blends are purported to be part of the Toraño family’s collection of blends they worked on over the years, but never used for whatever reason. Green and Purple are sold only in brick-and-mortar cigar stores, while Teal and Orange are destined for online vendors only.
The Green is a Nicaraguan puro, that uses a Sungrown wrapper leaf along with some fillers from Jalapa. It’s offered in Robusto and Gordo sizes, both of which are priced very attractively. I smoked one of these previous to the one I’m smoking for review today and both were provided by General Cigar.
Prelight
What is there to say about the packaging I didn’t say in the previous review? Oh yeah…someone in the shop yesterday reflexively said to me, “Is this the new Camach…oh, wait…that’s not Camacho…” Yes, this packaging is almost an invitation for a lawsuit. I’m dinging the prelight score by half a point here for the same reason as I did on the review of the TM-027.
The wrapper leaf of the cigar was a medium-dark brown color with a hint of red in it and some darker mottling in places. It had a nicely oily feel under my fingers and had aromas of cedar and leather. The foot of the cigar had a rich earthy manure aroma.
The cold draw was more than adequate and imparted flavors of cedar, red pepper and earth.
Flavor
Lighting up the Toraño Vault P-044 was easy and fairly uneventful. I got definite earth and cedar flavors up front, with red pepper on the lips and tongue, then a floral note as a secondary flavor, most likely imparted by the Jalapa leaf. It was medium-plus in body from the start and had a definite peppery snap on the retrohale. As the first third burned on, I got more earth and the cedar morphed into more of an oakiness. The floral notes continued and the pepper tailed off a bit.
The second third saw the earth notes get stronger and the Jalapa floral notes fade way into the background. There was a slightly sweet note that helped provide balance and a bit of a creamy coffee flavor every now and then in the background. Pepper had become nothing more than a background note.
In the last third, the P-044 turned darkly earthy with notes of espresso bean and charred meat. There was a hint of dark fruit sweetness around the periphery, but it didn’t balance the whole as well as it had up until now. I also detected slight woody and peppery notes from time to time.
Construction
Build quality on this cigar was excellent. I had a very straight burn line, excellent draw and solid ash.
Value
This cigar didn’t appeal to me as much as the Purple, but the price tag makes it a steal even so.
Conclusions
The Toraño Vault P-044 was a good entry in the Vault series, but I didn’t enjoy it as much as the TM-027. That said, it is still a solid smoking experience and will likely appeal to Nicaraguan puro lovers who want something in a medium-plus-bodied range with a moderate amount of complexity and a dynamite price point.
By-The-Numbers
Prelight: 1.5/2
Construction: 2/2
Flavor: 3.5/5
Value: 1/1
Total: 8/10
