Elogio Habano Torpedo

Overall Score

1 review for Elogio Habano Torpedo

  1. Ed

    Elogio Habano Torpedo

    Origin : NicaraguaElogio cigars
    Format : Torpedo
    Size : 6.13 x 52
    Wrapper : Nicaragua
    Filler : Nicaragua
    Binder : Nicaragua
    Hand-Made
    Price : $149 for a box of 24

    Elogio cigars are a boutique brand that comes from a small factory in Esteli, Nicaragua. Carlos Garcia Pereda is the master blender for Elogio, and he is the grandson of legendary Cuban tobacco grower and cigar maker, Alejandro Robaina. Carlos learned his trait in the Pinar del Rio region which can be considered one of the best of Cuba. The Elogio Serie Habano has tobacco from the Condega, Jalapa, and Somoto regions of Nicaragua. The cigar comes in several sizes: a 7 x 48 Churchill; a 5 x 50 Robusto; a 6 x 42 Corona Extra; a 5 x 32 Petite Corona; and the featured 6.13 x 52 Torpedo.

    Appearance : [rating:5/5]
    The cigar has a very nice dark brown color. It does appear that the cigar has some veins to it, but not enough to raise a concern. The cigar seems soft; yet, no oily sheen is observed.

    The wrapper had a barnyard smell which was not very overpowering. The foot had more pronounced barnyard/earthy notes to it.

    The band has the name “Elogio” written in script font at the front of the cigar. A smaller “Hand Made Nicaragua” is written below. The background is gold with a red trim on one side, and a green trim on the other. Two lines that form what looks like a V come out of each side of the cigar. A red V is seen on the green trim while a green V is seen on the red trim.

    Construction : [rating:3.5/5]
    The cigar does not seem to show any soft spots, and it is very firm to the touch. It is a very pleasant cigar in the hands; the wrapper does not appear to have any imperfections. The cap seems to be composed of two wrapper leaves.

    The pre-light draw is a bit restricted. This tight draw continued after the cigar was lit. The draw improved significantly after about an inch of ash was tapped off the cigar.

    The band was removed pretty easily; no glue marks were left behind in the cigar.

    The cigar produced a very tight white ash on the outside while the inside was charcoal grey; the Elogio burned very evenly.

    Flavor : [rating:3.5/5]
    The cigar was cut using a Palio guillotine cutter. For a variation, I used the Joe Dickman cut on the torpedo. Instead of a straight cut, the cutter was turned about 45 degrees. The purpose of this type of cut is to give the cigar smoker more of a surface area to draw and experience the flavors of the cigar.

    The pre-light taste was nice and spicy on the tongue. The initial draw (after lighting) had a spicy and leathery taste.

    The retrohale had hints of roasted nuts and espresso coffee beans.

    About halfway thorough the cigar, it became bitter with a metallic/chemical taste developing. The cigar was purged which seemed to remove the bitterness, and it seemed to remove the off flavors.

    Flavors seemed to have gotten stronger during the second half. The roasted nut flavor was noticeably dominant; the cigar also got smokier during the second half.

    Value : [rating:3.5/5]
    Considering this is a torpedo-shaped cigar the price tag is not bad for what one gets ($6.20/stick). One can experience the flavors of the most famous tobacco growing regions in Nicaragua in one stick.

    Overall Rating : [rating:4/5]
    The Elogio Serie Habano Torpedo offers a fairly complex yet balanced flavor profile; most of the flavors experienced are very good. The brief metallic/chemical taste was not part of the good experience. The coffee and roasted nut flavors are characteristic of a very rich Nicaraguan soil and a great blending of Carlos Garcia Pereda. He has managed to bring the best of Nicaraguan tobacco in the cigar.

    There were some issues especially with the tough draw. It did, however, get better the deeper one got into the cigar. Although it was not my favorite smoke, I did enjoy the time I spent smoking it. I would consider smoking other sizes in this same line, or trying the Series LSV and compare the two.

    Helpful?
    0 0
    • Ed

      Not sure about how it impacts the burn, but it definitely improves the draw on the pyramid-shaped cigars. To me, the burn is much more a property of the roll and the amount of filler tobacco.

      -Ed

    • Jmorena

      I think I get it, but does it impact the burn? Thanks Ed.

    • Ed

      The best way to explain this is with a picture; so I will do my best with words.

      Take a torpedo cigar and place the guillotine cutter as you would normally do to cut it. Before you do, turn it to about 45 degrees and cut the cigar. This is the Dickman cut – it gives you a better surface area in a torpedo cigar.

      Hope this helps.

      -Ed

    • Jmorena

      Ed. Shed more light on this Joe Dickman cut. What’s the deal.

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Cigar Region Nicaragua
Filler Nicaragua
Wrapper Nicaragua
Binder Nicaragua
Length 6.13
Ring Gauge 52
Construction Hand Made