Cigar Review – Sol Cubano Maduro Torpedo

by club co-founder Robert

Another in our ongoing series of reviews of cigars given to us by the good folks at Cigars Direct. Featured this time is the Sol Cubano Maduro Torpedo sent to us back in May of this year.

Vitola: Torpedo

Origin: Nicaragua

Length: 6.5”

Ring Gauge: 50

Filler: Nicaraguan

Binder: Nicaraguan

Wrapper: Connecticut Broadleaf Maduro

Strength: Medium

Price: $69.95 for a box of 25

This Sol Cubano features a dark, Nicaraguan wrapper and a rustic torpedo shape. It’s produced by Oliva for Abdel (A.J.) Fernandez, the Cuban expatriate who, like Don Pepin Garcia, travelled to Nicaragua to start his own cigar business. AJ is considered a master blender of tobacco, having studied under the renowned Cuban tobacco grower Alejandro Robaina.

Following Cigar Aficionado's 4-part rating system (Appearance & Construction, Flavor, Smoking Characteristics, and Overall Impression) I began the tasting. As usual I rated this cigar while enjoying some Aberlour 12 year old scotch (neat).

The Sol Cubano “Cuban Sun” had a pleasant pre-draw aroma that reminded me of silage, that sweet summer barnyard smell of straw and feed. The appearance was a little rough, with some wrinkles in the wrapper and a slightly dry look.

The initial 1/3 was smoothed out after a rather uneven start. The flavors of leather and impression of silage continued.

The second third was also smooth tasting, pleasant enough, with consistent flavor. I usually don’t mind touching up an uneven burn if the taste is there, but this got a little annoying.

The final third didn’t last, that nice leather and a little hint of cocoa flavor gave way to harshness and ended up tasting ashy. Perhaps it was the repeated touching up to keep the burn even.

My rating for the Sol Cubano Maduro is 78.

Here's the points breakdown:

I. Appearance & Construction: 11 pts (73% of the points possible)

II. Flavor: 23 pts (92% of the points possible)

III. Smoking Characteristics: 17 pts (68% of the points possible)

IV. Overall Impression: 27 pts (77% of the points possible)

Though my scoring may seem a little tough, I did like this cigar (except the burn). It produced big mouthfuls of smoke and a good strong ash. The flavor was good, and that’s what really counts for me. Consistent taste in the first and second thirds, and you know, for under three dollars you can easily just put it down if the flavor goes away. I’ll try another one and see if it burns a little more even next time.

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