Cigar Review: P. Benitez Torpedo
17 Aug 2011
At first glance, it may seem like P. Benitez Cigars only has one blend. But there are two distinct recipes among the five sizes crafted by the Managua-based boutique manufacturer.
The P. Benitez Lancero, for example, features an Ecuadorian Connecticut wrapper with an Indonesian binder and a filler blend of Nicaraguan tobaccos. While the Churchill and Robusto share these same ingredients, the Torpedo and Maduro3 are made entirely from Cuban-seed Nicaraguan sun-grown tobaccos.
Each of these blends is the result of patient searching by Pedro Benitez, who spent two and a half years sampling blends from different parts of Nicaragua with hopes of creating a new cigar brand. After 18 months of searching, he hand-selected his favorite leaves from Estelà and Jalapa. Then, in January of this year, he officially established P. Benitez Cigars with a factory in Estelà (it has since relocated to Managua, Nicaragua).
Until recently, my only experience with P. Benitez was the Lancero, a fine smoke that combines traditional Connecticut flavors with Nicaraguan zing. I expected something entirely different from the Torpedo, a 6-inch, 52-ring gauge cigar that has a dark, reddish wrapper, a firm feel, and a pre-light aroma of cocoa powder.
Despite the Torpedo’s solid build, you don’t have to clip much tobacco off the cap to obtain an easy draw. Establishing an even light—a delightful process that yields toasty notes akin to s’mores—is simple with a few wooden matches. From there, a profile of dry wood, dark chocolate, and red pepper emerges. The aftertaste is chewy with cherry and some of the sweetness that’s often found with sun-grown tobacco.
This is a complex, balanced profile that lasts the duration of the Torpedo with little variation from light to nub. All the while the physical properties are outstanding. I noticed straight burn lines and solid white ashes across each of the three samples I smoked for this review.
In the end, while comparing the sun-grown Torpedo to the Connecticut-wrapped Lancero may be like comparing apples to oranges, I can’t help but size these two cigars (and these two different blends) up against each other. I’d have to give a slight edge to the Torpedo, which carries a bit more depth and, in my opinion, a more unique flavor. Look for this smoke at retailers in Florida, Pennsylvania, and—hopefully soon—online. It’s worthy of four stogies out of five.
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photo credit: Stogie Guys
I should have mentioned that the MSRP on this stick is $10.
Great review, I smoke them my self great Nicaraguan cigar. Come by Lost City Cigars In West Palm Beach Florida and try the Benitez line. Antonio Benitez new arrival by Benitez cigars In Habano Rosado, Corojo 99 And Maduro.All Nicaraguan Puros.