Cuban Stock Royal Selection Toro

Overall Score

1 review for Cuban Stock Royal Selection Toro

  1. Jason

    Cuban Stock Royal Selection Toro

    Origin : Dominican Republic
    Format : ToroCuban Stock
    Size : 6 x 50
    Wrapper : Ecuador
    Filler : Dominican Republic
    Binder : Dominican Republic
    Hand-Made
    Price : ~$5-7 each

    Many thanks to Cuban Stock Cigars for providing this sample for review!

    These cigars are made at the company’s own factory in Santiago, Dominican Repulic. Rumor has it that the tobacco used in Cuban Stock cigars is grown in soil that was imported from the Pinar del Rio province of Cuba. I don’t know about the validity of this rumor, but it is out there… According to the Cuban Stock website, the Domican tobacco in the Royal Selection line is aged in wine barrels for 6 years.

    Appearance : [rating:4/5]
    This stick looked like a cross between an Ashton VSG (label) and a Padron 1926 (shape). It had a dark oily wrapper and a rectangular box press. I would say the wrapper was just shy of a maduro shade. It had a musty/earthy smell at cold that was rather offputing.

    Cuban Stock Royal Selection Toro

    Construction : [rating:5/5]
    Cigars just don’t come made any better than this. The draw was and burn were perfect. This stick smoked slowly and evenly, and stayed lit very well.

    Flavor : [rating:4/5]
    The Royal Selection was very peppery and earthy during the 1st inch. Then this toro smoothed out with the pepper dissipating, leaving an earthy smoke that had hints of leather and a slight anise flavor on the finish. The smoothness of the smoke was impressive, which I assume is attributable to the tobacco’s aging in wine barrels. This cigar stayed consitent past the midpoint, then developed some nice complexity with some dried fruit flavors creeping in during the last 1/3. I would say it was medium-full in body.

    Value : [rating:4/5]
    It looks like these cigars can be found in a price range ranging from $5-$7, which in my opinion is very reasonable. They don’t seem to be too widely available yet, but I was able to find a couple of online vendors for them.

    Overall Rating : [rating:4/5]
    Does this cigar taste Cuban? Could I tell the tobacco was grown in Cuban soil? No and no… but that’s ok, because this is a very good cigar in its own right. It was well made and you could tell the tobacco was of a high quality. I was especially impressed with its complexity and smoothness. Definitely pick one up, if your tobacconist carries them.

    [sz]cuban stock[/sz]

    Helpful?
    0 0
    • Karl V

      I agree, this company should give up on the whole “We’re Cuban too” myth. This company’s cigars do not taste like Cubans. Their soil is not Cuban. Their cigars taste Dominican. The first reviewer was correct, this cigar does taste pretty good, but it smells awful. While their Royal Selection does taste good, I have tried some of their cheaper lines of cigars and they are horrible. In all their cigars are average. I would prefer an Ashton.

    • DavidO

      I agree with above review. I live in a country where Cubans are the norm and you know what, unless you are ready to spend $25 and up per stick the NCs are FAR better smoking value!!
      I have smoked a few of the Cuban Stock Connecticut Reserve and they are extremely good.

    • Cigar Palace

      Very nice and fine review. It looks an interesting stick though I haven’t heard of it before.

      Guy, I like what you said and I second that they are suffering outside US Market where cubans are available. However I like the NCs for what they are.

    • Jason

      Guy, thanks for reading my review. I agree that all these attempts by NC manufacturers to attach their product to Cuba are hypocritical and trite. They would be better served in the long run to build their brands on their own merits. Especially, if/when the embargo ends.

    • RandySt

      I agree with Buscema 100%.

      I ordered two boxes, a while ago, of the Royal and Extra’s and I definitely enjoyed them (a different flavor for a different moment). Still have some sticks in my humidor. IMO the Extra’s are better in construction and flavor.

    • Joe K

      Nice review Jason. I have not heard of these ones before but they sound enjoyable.

      I completely second that Guy Buscéma. It seems to typically be smaller, non-premium brands that tout “Cuban” on their products. Maybe it is because they are unable to compete with the bigger names and therefore feel the need to distinguish themselves.

    • Guy Buscéma

      Hi Jason,

      I truly enjoyed your review about this cigar, it sounds quite interesting indeed.
      However, I find that this cigar should be presented on it’s own merits instead of always putting Cuba as a reference.
      When will the NC brands stop with their Cuba this and Cuba that, when will they stop telling the American market that the cuban cigar is not all that it’s cut out to be AND THEN they’re still with the old, ” these are made from Cuban seed, They are rolled by cubans, they have a real cuban taste, they have cuban style “, etc etc. When will they just treat the American consumer like an adult and put up front, the tobacco and it’s country of origin, why don’t they talk about the history and the land in which the tobacco is grown and above all it’s people.It’s no wonder that they have a hard time trying to sell elsewhere then in the USA,
      their marking is not on the right tracks.
      Stop marketing these cigars as if they were Cuban and start promoting them on their true merits and their origins. It’s been 50 years now, so stop the BS.
      Thank you for reading me out, I hope that no one is offended by my comments.
      Best regards,
      Amicalement,
      Guy Buscéma,
      Calvisson, FRANCE

Add a review
Cigar Region Dominican Republic
Filler Dominican
Wrapper Ecuador
Binder Dominican Republic
Length 6
Ring Gauge 50
Vitola Toro
Construction Hand Made
Price Paid $7