Carlos Toraņo Vault Robusto Review
Cigar: Carlos Toraņo Vault
Size: Robusto 5" x 52
Wrapper: Nicaraguan Colorado
Binder: Nicaraguan and Honduran
Filler: Nicaraguan
Price: MSRP ~$7.00
Initial impression/Pre-light
This is a handsome cigar. The two bands are very attractive, both the slim band at the foot denoting the blend (from the vault, apparently) and the larger with the name of the cigar. Particularly, on the larger band I notice some attractive texture and embossing, adding a little coolness factor. The silver and black colors are strong and masculine without being too flashy. Definitely different and cool.
The Nicaraguan Colorado wrapper is a strong reddish-brown with minimal veins. Cap is expertly applied and clean. Again, good looking and a very nice first impression. No soft spots, firm pack, and everything looks good. I punch it, which comes out clean, and the prelight draw is firm with a moderate hay and a touch of earth.
I'm guessing this will be pretty strong. Right now I'm glad I decided on a bowl of cereal instead of my normal piece of toast - that was actually a calculated plan after I pulled this cigar from the humidor this morning and gave it a once-over. Figured I'd better have something substantial in my stomach.
I picked up a couple samplers from Toraņo based on how much I enjoyed their Exodus Gold and Exodus 50 Years cigars. I figured at least I'd enjoy one or two of the other cigars in the pack. I decided to try the Vault this morning with a strong pot of French Press coffee.
The cigar has been resting in the humidor for about 7 weeks at 65% humidity.
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1st Third
The quadruple torch gives a nice toast, then I'm lit. A small split develops just short of the foot, but doesn't impact burn and I'm quickly through it.
I'm getting a moderately sweet flavor which I'm having trouble placing. I finally settle on molasses after about 4-5 puffs. I'm getting very middle-of-the-road smoke production at first, then about 1" in it picks up to a bit above average, thick white smoke. The ash is firm not flaky, and bright white with attractive wavy lines as it piles up. It drops around 1.25".
The cigar is noteworthy for cool and slow burn so far. Overall a pleasant flavor and aroma so far, and a solid medium strength. Burn line slightly wavy, but never off by more than 1/8".
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2nd Third
Now I'm getting more of that earth I picked up in the prelight, while the sweetness has disappeared. I'm picking up a unique cooking spice that I don't recall tasting before in a cigar. Very interesting, and I make a note to research the leaves used when I'm done smoking.
Smoke is thicker and slightly darker, still coming out in slightly above average production. Definitely picking up strength now too. By the end of the 2nd third I'm saying full-bodied strength. Burnline still slightly wavy but hasn't approached needing a retouch.
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Final Third
Still burning cool. Flavors have changed again too - I'm still getting that spice from before, but add in some coffee and a good strong tobacco. My notes here say maybe the spice is clove, but I don't think that's quite it. Either way, the flavors are good and the strength has built to a booming nicotine crescendo. I don't think I'm a lightweight, but I had to walk inside and take a couple swigs of juice. This final third comes in heavy on the strength. Definitely glad I had something to eat before hand, or I'd be heaving like a little noob by now.
Never did need a retouch, and I'm pretty obsessive about a clean burn. Ash held for around an inch each time.
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Overall thoughts
Nice cigar. Hits you right off the bat appearance-wise, then delivers in construction and flavor. Flavors and strength build like you want them to. I burned this robusto for over an hour and half. MSRP around $7, but you can buy them on cbid for around $5 if my research yesterday holds. I actually did look into picking up some more immediately after smoking, so that tells the tale.
So I made it a point NOT to read reviews or other info before smoking and writing my own. That said, this one piqued my interest enough to read up on it afterwards. Apparently this was a recipe from 2000 which wasn't ever released. However, Toraņo decided they found the missing link a few years ago by adding Ometepe binder from a volcanic island off Nicaragua. Whatever impact that Ometepe has I honestly don't know. However, I definitely picked up a spice/earth flavor I've never noticed before and I really liked it.
This will be an evening cigar for me going forward due to the strength, but I absolutely will purchase a few more if not an entire box. I took off points mostly for wavy burn line, slightly unimpressive ash, and moderate to slightly-above average smoke output. The Vault stood up very well against the Exodus 50 Years which is one of my absolute favorite cigars. Toraņo is becoming a maker I trust, as this is my fourth label from them from across the strength/body range and all have been good.
