Stogie Reviews: La Reloba Selección Sumatra Toro

Another in Pepin Garcia’s lower-priced lines, this bargain stick—I paid $5 for the nicely constructed Toro (6.25 x 52)—is a bit more complex than you might expect.

This cigar is part of a two-blend line, with its sibling sporting a Habano wrapper. And, like many of the cigars coming from My Father Cigars, you won’t find any information on it at the remarkably inadequate website.

But I was able to get some details on the cigar by calling the folks in Miami: The two Reloba lines share the same basic blend of Nicaraguan binder and filler grown on the Garcias’ farm, and the Sumatra wrapper is from Ecuador.

La Reloba fits neatly into one of 2010’s most noticeable trends: lower-priced cigars from top-flight producers. I applaud makers like My Father who have created good cigars at affordable prices.

This one produces a lot of smoke and burns evenly from start to finish. The opening is a peppery blast with undertones of leather and wood. While it’s not the depth of pepper devoted Pepin smokers may expect, it’s a couple of notches less powerful. About a third of the way down the cigar, the pepper dissipates, replaced by a nuttiness and a gradual diminishing of strength. The second half is definitely milder than the first and a good deal sweeter.

I suggest you give both the Habano and Sumatra versions a try. Each is worth it. I have enjoyed both, but prefer the Sumatra because of its greater range of tastes. And for that I give the La Reloba Selección Sumatra Toro three and a half stogies out of five.

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–George E

photo credit: Stogie Guys