Cigar Review: Casa Miranda Chapter Two Toro (Pre-Release)

Two years ago, Miami Cigar & Co. debuted Casa Miranda at the IPCPR Trade Show, a “small-batch, ultra-premium” line comprised of an Ecuadorian Habano wrapper around Nicaraguan tobaccos. Shortly after the convention, the man responsible for blending the highly anticipated release, Willy Herrera, left El Titan de Bronze—the Miami factory where the cigar is made—for Drew Estate before Casa Miranda even came to market.

Notwithstanding Herrera’s departure (and subsequent success with the Herrera Estelí line), Miami Cigar is expected to introduce the Casa Miranda Chapter Two at next month’s convention. I was sent a pre-release sample by Miami Cigar to make this review possible.

Unlike Chapter One, Chapter Two is made at the My Father Cigars factory in Estelí, Nicaragua. It boasts a Nicaraguan Corojo wrapper around tobaccos from Brazil, Nicaragua, and the Dominican Republic. “Just like any great novel, our story continues to gain momentum with the release of Chapter Two at this year’s IPCPR,” said Jason Wood, vice president of Miami Cigar. “I look forward to…feedback on this medium-bodied beauty.”

Four sizes will be available: Robusto (4.5 x 50), Corona Gorda (6 x 46), Toro (5.5 x 54), and Gran Toro (6 x 60). Prices will range from $6.35 for the Robusto to $8 for the Gran Toro.

As this is a pre-release review, I was only able to smoke one Toro for today’s article. The cigar is quite soft in some spots—and the foot suggests a slightly loose packing of tobaccos—yet the overall feel is one of quality. The wrapper has a noticeable absence of large veins and ample oils. The pre-light notes are faint and earthy.

The texture of the flavor is defined by the incredibly easy draw and significant smoke production. Billowy, almost airy, the taste has a spicy Corojo punch offset by a syrupy sweetness, damp earth, and creamy peanut. On the finish, the spice lingers on the tip of the tongue and the roof of the mouth. The resting smoke is particularly fragrant and sweet. The final third is leathery.

My single sample displays wonderful combustion qualities, including a straight burn and a gray ash that holds well off the foot. My only complaint might be that the Toro burns rather quickly (undoubtedly a result of the effortless draw, which might be a little too effortless).

Keep an eye out for this cigar post-IPCPR. Judging by my single pre-release experience, it’s a well-made, balanced smoke with interesting flavors and a terrific aroma. And the price point of $7.60 renders it an excellent value. I look forward to revisiting the Casa Miranda Chapter Two Toro in the near future, and am pleased to award it four stogies out of five.

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

–Patrick A

photo credit: Stogie Guys