Stogie Reviews: Bacchus Natural Toro

11 Oct 2007

Truth be told, about a week ago I had never heard of the company. But now I can safely say that if you’re into mild cigars with good construction and you’re on a budget, you probably need to know about Bacchus.

Bacchus Natural Toro The Natural line, according to Thompson, “has been a winner for years.” It is composed of Cuban-seed tobacco that’s grown in the Cibao region of the Dominican Republic – specifically, an Indonesian wrapper, a Sumatran binder, and a Piloto Cubano / Olor filler. Bacchus says its cedar aging rooms “produce a classic blend of subtle, mild flavors you expect from premium cigars.”

The Toro is classically sized at six inches with a 50 ring gauge. It retails for around $2 per stick or $50 for a bundle of 25. I find the wrapper to be fairly attractive, though not without its fair share of noticeable seams and veins. The cigar is quite soft to the touch, and the shiny white and gold band seems to beckon for attention.

Given its reputation as a mild stogie, I was really surprised by the initial woody spice flavor. So my first impression was of a dog with a quiet bark but a painful bite.

The taste, however, thankfully settles down quickly into light notes of cedar and ginger. Creamy and mostly salty on the palate, the smoke is thick and rich and the mild flavor remains almost completely constant from beginning to end. The only exception is a faint bitterness that comes and goes from time to time. Call it a hunch, but I get the feeling this is a flaw that cannot be remedied by further aging.

The physical properties are really exceptional, especially for a value stick. I was quick to take note of the clear draw, even burn, and firm ash.

On the whole, what this cigar delivers is reliability, good construction, and a pleasingly mild taste. I’m not bothered by the fact that it lacks a name or any flashy characteristics.

But I am bothered by the fact that it doesn’t bring anything memorable or exciting to the table. You could say that’s to be expected at the price, but that argument just doesn’t hold water when compared to similarly-priced cigars like the Don Kiki Brown Label.

All things considered, I’m giving the Bacchus Natural Toro two and ½ out of five stogies.