A Robusto Gem From The Torano Family Vault

Tobacco blenders spend a tremendous of time testing various blends, only a select few of which ever make it to market, so it makes sense that all of the details and results of the testing are saved (in a vault?) for future consideration. Torano first launched a “Vault” cigar, the A-008, in 2011 and it was fairly successful. The A-008 contained a special ingredient, a legero binder from Ometepe, Nicaragua. Now Torano released another Vault cigar at the 2013 IPCPR, the D-042, and the special ingredient is a rare Pennsylvania broadleaf used to complement the Jalapa and Esteli Nicaraguan fillers also in the blend. The binder is Habano Nicaragua and the wrapper is Ecuadorian Habano. Torano provided me with a D-042 at the 2013 IPCPR.

The D-042 was a 5 X 52 Robusto with good construction and a nice, moderately dark and very appealing wrapper. The foot has a protective band with the blend number D-042 prominently marked. The smoke volume was slightly above average and the aftertaste was cedar and medium in strength. The initial flavor is a hearty spice but soon black coffee comes to the forefront with a hint of cocoa. There is an undertone of sweetness but not much and nutmeg appears near the end. The draw was good and the ash was a very nice silver grey. It took an hour to smoke this full bodied cigar and I enjoyed all of it. This is a good value at $7 and I rate it a 4.5 out of 5.