Cigar Review: Toraño Loyal Robusto
1 May 2012
This fat Robusto is part of the four-vitola line introduced by Toraño at last year’s industry trade show that continues to be promoted as a low-cost, high-quality smoke.
At a recent event, Charlie Toraño remarked that the Loyal has been getting a good reception from smokers, and I’m not surprised.
As a long-time admirer of Toraño’s skill in artfully blending tobaccos from many origins, I’m always interested in trying one of their releases. Recently, I’ve smoked several of this 5-inch stick with a 56-ring gauge as well as a couple of the company’s new, and generally more highly regarded, Vault line.
Truth be told, I prefer the Loyal. I think that the Nicaraguan Ometepe tobacco that was added to the Vault’s original recipe creates a dry, somewhat dusty taste that just isn’t my particular cup of tea.
The Loyal, on the other hand, is an under-$5, medium-strength Robusto with smoothly blended Nicaraguan and Dominican fillers that provide enough flavor shifts to keep it interesting. There’s a bit of pepper on the opening that ramps up until about the midway point, when it begins to recede. Layered over it at that point is a nice sweet tobacco taste and a little leather and wood.
It smokes slowly, and the additional girth make it a Robusto with an extra-long experience.
My complaints relate primarily to construction. I’ve experienced some unraveling of the Ecuadorian Sumatra wrapper and an uneven burn on occasion, which appeared to be related to poor combustion of the Nicaraguan binder.
The Loyal should have wide appeal, especially for those smokers looking for a traditional cigar at a low price. For me, it rates three and a half stogies out of five.
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photo credit: Toraño
Patrick Ashby
Co-Founder & Editor in Chief
Patrick Semmens
Co-Founder & Publisher
George Edmonson
Tampa Bureau Chief
The band looks different compared to the traditional Torano lines. I guess they're going after a somewhat different market with this line. I like the name Loyal though kinda brings you in and entices you to try and smoke it!
I've only had a single torpedo, but I found it to lack the depth of flavor that I've come to expect from Torano. I am surprised about the comment regarding the construction. Top notch construction is one thing that I've found to be a constant with this brand. I still think the Master is one of the best values on the market.
I also was surprised at the construction problems because, like you, I think of first-rate construction as a given with Torano.