Like every year in September, Manifatture Sigaro Toscano has released the limited edition for 2019, the Toscano Assolo.
The peculiarity of this cigar lies in the width size, decisively oversize, while the length is fixed at 15o mm. This increase, according to MST, has been studied to give more body to the smoke and make it more satisfying thanks to the greater quantity of smoke reaching the palate.
What instead is kept traditional, is the production (medium filler, handmade by the cigar makers of Lucca) and the blend, which involves the use of North American and Italian Kentucky tobaccos for the filler and North American leaf for the wrapper.
It is sold in cardboard boxes containing five cigars and retails for € 30.
Once we open the package, we find ourselves in front of particularly dark cigars, far beyond the typical Toscano brown. The leaf is rough to the touch, though without accentuated veins. Another peculiarity perceived with the fingers, in addition to the large size, is also a discreet weight that suggests a certain generosity in the filler.
- Producer: Manifatture Sigaro Italiano (Lucca)
- Wrapper: North American Kentucky
- Filler: North American Kentucky and Italy
- Type: Medium Filler
- Produced: by hand
- Length: 150 mm
- Single Price: € 6,00 – $ n/a
Toscano Assolo: unlit you perceive powerful aromas of natural rubber, followed by well-defined leather and barnyard notes.
The opening immediately starts out with a very composed bitterness and saltiness, perfectly balanced between each other. We also perceive spicy sensations that vanish within a minute or so. Flavor-wise, wood is the dominant note, while the background presents rich notes of carob, pepper and mineral. Strength is medium – full (4/5).
Continuing in the smoke, the Assolo maintains the light bitter component while the saltiness increases slightly. The cigar explodes with strong aromas of carob, wood and walnut, while the initial earthiness is less pronounced. Strength becomes full (5/5).
Overall, we found ourselves in the presence of a more than convincing cigar. The flavors on the palate are intriguing and the aromas are rich. The relationship with the strength is proportionate to the flavor profile. In this sense, it is probable that the selection of the wrapper, can be circumscribed to a very high priming, judging from the very dark color. We also had the impression, especially when smoking the first half, that the cigar can still give more, provided you leave in the humidor for some time.
Rating: 88