Stogie Reviews: 5 Vegas Classic Torpedo
Thursday, April 16th, 2009Before the Miami, Series A, or any Limitada, at all started for 5 Vegas with the Classic. This moderately priced blend has since built a loyal following of smokers who enjoy its consistency and traditional medium-bodied taste.
Also known as the “Reserva” or “Red” line, 5 Vegas Classic is not without impressive critical acclaim, the most prominent of which originates from a position of prestige in the industry. I refer, of course, to the well-publicized claim that Cigar Aficionado gave this line the highest rating for a non-Cuban cigar in a blind test.
I’ll take this blend’s ratings of 90, 88, and 87 with a grain of salt. I can’t help but hope, however, that the folks over at CA are on to something, especially because the Torpedo (6 x 54)—the most intriguing vitola in the Classic lineup—sells for only $70 per box.
With a towering point, this sharp-looking smoke (pun intended) looks like it could be dangerous if used improperly. The fairly smooth Sumatra wrapper gives off mouth-watering pre-light notes of cocoa and herbs.
I was pleasantly surprised to find an easy draw after snipping off just a quarter of an inch from the cap. Once lit, the concentrated smoke pulls through to reveal plenty of spice with accompanying flavors of roasted nuts, damp earth, and warm tobacco.
The taste becomes slightly bitter as the burn progresses through the Nicaraguan binder and the Cuban-seed filler from Nicaragua and the Dominican Republic. Then some charred steak-like qualities enter the equation after the midway point. And while this cigar is no elite treat with copious subtleties or complexities, it still offers plenty of character for the money.
Handmade in Estelí, the Classic Torpedo consistently makes a combustion comeback unlike any other smoke I’ve seen. Each stick I sampled started with a finicky burn that required constant touch-ups only to completely even out after the first 15 minutes. You’ve got to be happy with a cigar that rallies to finish strong.
All told, I may not be as enamored as the reviewers over at Cigar Aficionado, but I can certainly see where they were coming from. With a solid gray ash that holds well for over two inches, a nice yet simple flavor, and a comfortable price point, I feel confident recommending this as a low-cost everyday cigar. That’s why I give the 5 Vegas Classic Torpedo three and a half stogies out of five.
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photo credit: Stogie Guys
Nice review Patrick A. After my experience with the Miami Knuckle I gotta say I haven’t been racing to try other 5 Vegas but your review makes it sound like its worth a try. Thanks bro.
Hi Jerry,
I saw that review of yours on the Miami Knuckle and man that turned me away from ever trying that blend and size. However, I’ve got to side with Patrick A. on the classic. I’ve been smoking them for a while now and they get really good with age. I had one the other day that had been in my humidor for close to two years and I’m not kidding when I say I picked up some Padron 1964 like flavors. A great value stick in my opinion. Keep up the great work Stogieguys.com and Stogiereview.com!
Marc E.
Try the 5 Vegas Gold ( mild to medium) or the Series A. These are worth smoking. The Series A is similar to the Partagas Black.
Nice review of the classic, though the way it read compared to the score, I thought it deserved another 1/2 a smoke. But that’s just nitpicking.
I didn’t read the 5 Vegas Miami review, but I get the impression that it wasn’t well received. I have to agree. But I also feel the same way about the 5 Vegas Gold (though it seems to be quite a seller.) I go out of my way to avoid any samplers with those two products in it. The 5 Vegas A line, however, is one of my favorites and a cigar I find to be the most consistently enjoyable. So don’t dismiss 5 Vegas completely if you didn’t like one of their lines, give a couple others a chance.
Thanks for the review! I really enjoy a lot of the the 5 Vegas line. I’m a little surprised with what is being said about the 5 Vegas Knuckle. I really like that particular line from 5 Vegas. Honestly, I think it’s my favorite Corojo wrapped cigar. It’s definitely worth a try. I also like their new 5 Vegas Relic too. It’s a delicious Dominican puro.
well my experience with 5 vegas is hit or miss…the 5 vegas gold line is a very good smoke…however the series A, red label and Miami were not really that good..
I bought a 10 pack sampler of 5 vegas red label from C.I., and I can tell you that they were so bad that you could not pay me to smoke them..the Miami was the same…terrible…the $1.99 “cuban rejects” sandwich filler cigars I get were 10 times better
The 5 Vegas Classic Fifty-Five has been a staple in my humidor for years. I usually buy them at auction and allow them to rest for 6-8 months before smoking. Along with with the Flor de Oliva, this favorite has earned it’s place as an exceptional value everyday medium smoke.
[...] Several of the brand’s lines, including the maduro-wrapped Series ‘A’ and the Sumatra-wrapped Classic, are considered reliable everyday smokes for cigar enthusiasts far and [...]