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Stogie Reviews: Cuban Crafters Medina 1959 Torpedo

20 Oct 2008

It’s been six weeks since I reviewed a pre-release Medina 1959 Robusto, a creamy smoke with undertones of spice and plenty of mild complexity. And since this week marks the limited edition blend’s launch on Cuban Crafters’ website, I thought it appropriate to celebrate with an examination of another vitola.

For those of you who don’t remember, Medina 1959 was created to be the Miami-based boutique manufacturer’s crown jewel. To me that says a lot, especially since Cuban Crafters already makes plenty of excellent, under-priced sticks, including Cupido, J.L. Salazar, Don Kiki (Brown and White), La Carolina, and Cameroon.

The idea behind the premium line is to create a pre-Castro stogie (hence 1959) made by masters who have cigar experience in Cuba. The five vitolas, therefore, will be handmade in Miami by Cuban expatriates under the supervision of Manuel Medina, formerly of the H. Upmann and Davidoff factories in Cuba. “All the rollers are Cuban-born cigar makers that came over, some very recently,” says Alberto Noguera, Cuban Crafters’ national sales director. “There are a few that worked for Medina in the H. Upmann factory in Cuba.”

Like the Robusto, the beautiful 6.5 inch by 54 ring gauge Torpedo features a smooth, virtually vein-free Cuban-seed Sumatra wrapper and Cuban-seed habano long-filler. While there was some question about what Cuban Crafters means by “extremely aged tobacco” in my last review, this time I know more details: The wrapper is aged for five years, and the binder and filler for six.

After clipping through the neat, sharply pointed cap, prelight hints of sweet hay and field grass come into focus. The Torpedo starts milder and creamier than the Robusto, developing the same toast and cream profile but with a more diluted onion spice. Balanced by a dry oak flavor, a butterscotch sweetness joins in after the first third.

The rest of the cigar slides from mild- to medium-bodied for the remainder of the 100-minute experience. That enjoyable foray is complemented by superior physical properties that can match any stick on the market.

After smoking six Torpedos for this review, I can confidently say this vitola is just as soothing and delicately delicious as the Robusto. Fans of milder tobacco should not let the $9.20 per cigar MSRP impede them from at least trying the Cuban Crafters Medina 1959 Torpedo. I give it four and a half stogies out of five.

[To read more StogieGuys.com cigar reviews, please click here.]

Patrick A

photo credit: Stogie Guys

13 Responses to “Stogie Reviews: Cuban Crafters Medina 1959 Torpedo”

  1. furious Monday, October 20, 2008 at 7:33 am #

    The price is a little bit steep. However, if they come out with a 3-5 stick sampler pack, I would probably bite.

  2. Padronnie Monday, October 20, 2008 at 11:54 am #

    Wow. That’s a serious price increase from the $3-4 that CC’s cigars usually go for.

    Is it really worth it compared to say, the Don Kiki Brown?

  3. Patrick A Monday, October 20, 2008 at 12:40 pm #

    Yes, Medina 1959 does cost considerably more than traditional Cuban Crafters smokes. I think it is most evident in the overall feel and construction of the cigar, which operates at a higher level than other brands from this boutique (which are still very well-built).

    If you’re a big fan of the Don Kiki Brown Label–a full-bodied smoke–this may not be up your alley. I happen to love both, but that’s because I’m also quite fond of milder sticks.

    The only way to be disappointed with this blend, even at the price, is to expect a whole lot of strength and richness. That’s just not its MO.

  4. Eduardo Chibas Thursday, October 30, 2008 at 8:43 am #

    I heard about these cigars from a friend and he was able to get me a few to try. I have through the years smoked several authentic cubans, and was a bit skeptical to try these. So i had my old man try them with me since he has smoked pre-1959 cigars back in cuba. We were both extremely pleased with the smoothness and fabrication of the cigar. It had a great even burn until the end. I highly recommend picking one up, i searched this morning and they posted some sampler packs in their website cubancrafters.com

  5. furious Thursday, October 30, 2008 at 9:55 am #

    I received an e-mail this morning from CC also advertising the Medina series and 5-pack samplers. I went ahead and purchased the robusto sampler. Can't wait to smoke these beauties soon.

  6. Craig Tuesday, November 4, 2008 at 2:07 pm #

    Just smoked one of these monsters. It was by far the best CC I have smoked and I am very inexperienced, but didn't come away overly impressed by any means. I would smoke it again, as there are 4 left in my humidor but I think there are better cigars out there for the price.

  7. CWS Wednesday, November 5, 2008 at 2:27 am #

    Just purchased a box of the Robustos knowing cigars could very well be taxed out of existence after last night.

    Looking forward to smoking them . . .

  8. CWS Sunday, November 9, 2008 at 1:28 am #

    The 1959s are excellent. I purchased a box if the Rothchilds. Yes – they are mild. I love the nuances if a mild smoke. The 1959s are extremely smooth and creamy and yes there is a hint of butterscotch. The burn is flawless and the ash is tight. The aroma is wonderful – if you have friends that are put off by cigar smoke; either get rid of them or smoke the 1959s around them.

    I smoked several so far- the 1959s pair well with coffee in the morning and they complement any kind of whiskey and/or single malt in the later hours of the day.

    I'm not a big fan of blogs but I am sold on the Stogie Guys. The reviews for the 1959s and Ybor City Handmades were excellent and true to the exact flavor/body of the cigars.

    Thanks for pointing these beauties out.

  9. CWS Sunday, November 9, 2008 at 1:34 am #

    My apologies for some misspellings – I was typing my comments on my Iphone while smoking outside.

  10. ROTHNH Friday, November 14, 2008 at 6:23 pm #

    Considering who makes these, the blend used, the fact they are crafted in Miami and the absolutely flawless construction of these cigars, it is no surprise that the 1959 commands the price it does. Like ALL Cuban Crafters cigars It's well worth every penny and then some.

  11. NDBogart Tuesday, January 5, 2010 at 11:45 am #

    I played and won the free 25 cigar give away through Cubin Crafters, I picked these for the win. Have not got them in yet, but I am exited to test them out. I have talked with alot of people who say these are worth the money.

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