Stogie Reviews: Toraño Exodus 50 Years Blend Salomon

For some years now there have been two blends of the Toraño Exodus: Gold and Silver. But as we reported two weeks ago, Toraño is releasing a new Exodus line, the  3-H blend, in celebration of 50 years since the Toraño family had to leave their homeland of Cuba.

This special release is currently only available in a five-cigar sampler that features two cigars each from the Exodus 1959 (Gold) and Exodus Silver lines. Included are two new exclusive Toraño releases and two sharp-looking torpedos, one each from the original Exodus blends.

The bulk of attention for this sampler, however, will be paid to the new Liga 3-H blend, which is presented in a Salomon (7.25 x 57) vitola. This sharp-looking centerpiece smoke has a dark, oily wrapper with plenty of veins and a slightly bumpy feel.

Of note is a plain white band with “Exodus Liga 3-H” handwritten in ink. It’s really just an inside-out Exodus Gold wrapper—a nice touch at a time when overly ornate bands seem to be the norm.

Once lit, the Exodus 50 Years Blend reveals a chewy flavor with raisin, leather, and even some subtle underlying notes of black cherry. Particularly noticeable in each of the two samples I smoked for this review is a remarkably cool smoke that is miles away from hot or harsh.

As the large perfecto progresses, hints of an underlying cedar spice develops, though not enough to dominate the flavor of raisin and leather. The finish is long with wheat-like, toasty flavor. The cigar also has a slightly salty flavor.

The construction on the two sticks was largely impressive. The cigar had a solid dark gray ash and an easy draw. One stick did need a few touch-ups to fix an uneven burn.

In both flavor and appearance, the Liga 3-H reminded me of a milder version of one of my favorite smokes: the EO 601 Oscuro. The Toraño 50 Years Blend is slightly milder and a bit more complex.

That complexity, combined with a tasty flavor profile and a uniquely cool smoke, makes me think that this new blend exceeds the two previous Exodus blends. It’s a different taste that won’t be for everyone, but I’m sure it will win over some big fans. That innovative taste earns the Toraño Exodus 50 Years Blend Salomon a rating of four stogies out of five.

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

–Patrick S

photo credit: Stogie Guys