Pre-light Experience

The wrapper is light brown and has quite a bit of toothiness to it and the foot is covered with folded over wrapper leaf. There are a few slightly raised veins present while the seams are easily visible due to the texture of the wrapper. The head is covered with a single cap that is finished with a tightly wound pigtail. The band is the traditional design for the company in black and gold with a red shield. The aroma from the wrapper and covered foot is a distinct hay along with a mild white pepper. The pre-light draw brings a bit of a black tea note along with some wood and a mild spiciness to my lips.

First Third

The cigar begins with some aged wood and a medium level baking spice. At a quarter inch in, a mild cream joins the profile which smooths the baking spice out a bit. At an inch in, a toasted bread note joins the wood and slight cream as the baking spice is now very faint. The retrohale still has a big dose of the baking spice to go along with some toasted bread and wood. At an inch and a half, the cream increases which pairs well with the toasted bread and wood. The strength in this third was slightly above medium.

Second Third

As the second third begins, the wood is leading the profile with the toasted wood and cream slightly behind and a very faint baking spice still remaining. At a half inch in, the wood gains a slight char and the toasted bread note goes away while the cream and slight baking spice remain. At an inch in, the charred wood transitions to a toasted wood and the cream is very faint while the baking spice has left the profile. The retrohale is now a charred and musty wood. As the third comes to a close, the cream disappears and the toasted wood becomes a bit drying. The strength in this third remained at slightly above medium.

Final Third

As the final third begins, the char comes back to the toasted wood and is what dominates the profile. At three quarters of an inch, the char calms down a bit and some creaminess rejoins the profile. On the retrohale, the char is still a bit full with the wood. At an inch and a quarter, the char reduces again and lets the wood shine a bit more. The strength in this third bumped up to medium-full.

Burn

The burn was a bit wavy at times but never needed any attention. The ash held on in inch and a quarter increments.

Draw

The draw was perfect with just the right amount of resistance that I prefer.

Overall

Moving to a new factory doesn’t seem to have had any negative impact on the flavor or performance of this line. It is still a well balanced blend of flavor and strength. It is definitely a cigar for those that enjoy some power, but also want the flavor to go with it. The first two thirds are where this vitola shines as the final third runs out of a bit of steam. This is a cigar that would do well in the evening or after a big lunch, but there are some smokers that like the strength anytime. The Toro smokes as well as the other sizes in the line and I would have no problem going back to this cigar on a semi regular basis.

Aaron Loomis

SCORE

6.87

Cost/Point

$1.38

Scoring System

Personal Cigar Review: Jas Sum Kral Red Knight Toro