Pre-light Experience

The wrapper is medium brown and has a couple of medium sized raised veins running down the back of the cigar. The seams are very smooth and barely visible while the head is finished off with a well applied double cap. The band is primarily black with gold bordering and some nice artwork in the center. The aroma from the wrapper is a light, refreshing hay and some pipe tobacco while the foot gives a mix of sweet green hay and a stone fruit sweetness along with a mild white pepper. The pre-light draw is a mix of leather and pipe tobacco with a mild spiciness on my lips.

Pre-light Experience

The Dapper La Madrina Natural Toro has an attractive copper hued Equadorian Habano wrapper with a slick oily feel. The bunch and roll is very firm with virtually no give. Seams are tight, veins well pressed and head finished off with a well applied double cap. Nosing the wrapper tells of a quality cigar cedar box wood smell and subtle white pepper. Nosing the foot gives rich roasted nuts, cedar and white pepper. Cold draw reveals the same quality cigar cedar box and amplified white pepper.

First Third

The cigar begins with some wood, mustiness and a very mild black pepper. At a quarter inch in, the wood takes on a slight profile of dampness to go along with the mustiness and mild pepper. The retrohale carries more black pepper along with the musty wood in the background. At an inch in, the mustiness increases to become even with the slightly damp wood while the black pepper is still faint in the background. The strength in this third was right at medium.

First Third

The first third is mainly spice and wood driven giving a fairly potent coarse black pepper and cedar wood. Background flavors consists of mixed nuts and cinnamon. Retrohaling further accentuates the black pepper note in addition to bread. The finish is long with coarse black pepper on the rear palate and a slightly gritty bitterness. Strength nears medium-full and body is medium.

Second Third

As the second third begins, a bit of cream joins in which adds a slight sweetness to the musty wood. At a quarter inch in, the creaminess joins the musty wood on the retrohale. At a half inch in, the cream and slight sweetness have gone away as the musty wood note is the entire profile. At an inch in, a slight vegetal note joins with the musty wood. As the third comes to a close, some bitterness joins in with the musty wood and vegetal note. The strength in this third bumped up to slightly above medium.

Second Third

The second third shows less complexities with the same coarse black pepper and cedar wood showing up on mouth draws, retrohale and especially on the finish. The finish picks up more grit, but instead of being on the rear palate, it is pervasive throughout the entire palate. The strength moves to medium-full, while body maintains medium.

Final Third

As the final third begins, the wood, now more definable as oak, takes the lead over the mustiness. At a half inch in, some cream returns to the profile really smoothing things out. At three quarters of an inch in, the cream increases some more and takes the lead over the musty oak. The cigar finishes out with this same profile. The strength in this third bumped up again to medium-full.

Final Third

The last third reverts back to a flavor profile more in line with the first third. That is, not entirely dominated by cedar and black pepper. Mixed nuts and bread returns, allowing for the cigar to not be so linear like the second third. Strength and body remains medium-full and medium, respectively.

Burn

The burn line was perfectly straight the entire way. The ash held on in inch and a quarter increments.

Burn

Nothing but the best remarks for the burn. Razor sharp, solid ashes averaging 1.5 inches, cool and slow burn.

Draw

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

Overall

The first third started with a good flavor profile, but by the second third, things became pretty average. The wood and musty notes were pretty consistent throughout, there just wasn’t anything that gave it any pop. Construction was perfect, so I was just able to focus on the flavors. For those that enjoy a lot of musty wood, this is one to try, but for me, the El Borracho is the more interesting cigar in the Dapper portfolio. It is great to see another very well constructed cigar, but I’m looking for a more interesting flavor profile to keep me coming back.

Draw

The hardness felt within the pre-light experience had no bearing on the draw. The draw although slightly tight was not a major influence whatsoever.

Overall

One thing is for certain about Dapper cigars; the eye catching presentation is being quickly recognized by cigar enthusiasts. That great marketing alone will most likely sell the cigars. But as for me, it is all about the flavors. In terms of flavors, the cigar could have done better. For the most part, the profile was a bit too dominant and linear in cedar and black pepper. The best part was the last third as the profile showed less wood and spice dominance, but that isn’t quite enough for me to reach out for more.

Aaron Loomis

SCORE

6.10

Cost/Point

$1.85

Scoring System

Jiunn Liu

SCORE

6.67

Cost/Point

$1.69

Scoring System

Team Cigar Review: Dapper La Madrina Natural Robusto