Cigar smokers are all too familiar with those standard government-issue boilerplate warning labels that have been plastered onto our otherwise beautiful cigar boxes. If one believes that nothing is certain but death and taxes, they have overlooked the universal meddling of government in its citizens' private lives. Earlier in my lifetime it was the zealous right which campaigned against the scourge of tobacco; now it is the authoritarian left who seeks to save us from ourselves at the point of a bayonet.
Yes, these well-meaning but arrogant, historically- and constitutionally-ignorant lawmakers mean only to protect cigar aficionados from themselves. What we do in the privacy of our own leather easy chairs is now
their business. This is done in spite of the volume of evidence that the health effects of the moderate smoking of pure-tobacco,
totalmente a mano natural cigars has essentially nothing in common with the addictive consumption of highly-processed, chemically-adulterated, flame-accelerated, drug-infused, industrially-homogenized and paper-wrapped cigarettes (as well as their grocery-store machine-made "cigar" cousins).
Like the foolish scientist who insists that, "if the data contradicts my theory, then the data must be wrong," these zealous lawmakers lump our organic, natural, non-adulterated product in with mass-produced "cigars" and cigarettes, slapping those labels onto our boxes and warning us of a slow and painful death if we dare defy the politically-correct, authoritarian tobacco-nazi creed by partaking of the very product we've just purchased. Yet these same self-righteous lawmakers (and their misinformed supporters) go home and broil fish -- in a few minutes producing several orders-of-magnitude more carbon monoxide, NMOG (non-methane organic gases) and harmful nanoparticle particulates than would the moderate smoker of fine, natural cigars over a period of days. (So much for science being on their side.)
Well, there you have my opinion of labels on cigar boxes. Except for one. You can find this one only on boxes of
The Edge Cigars by Rocky Patel and Nestor Plasencia. This is the first cigar I've seen that
voluntarily came with its own warning label.
This label is prominently placed on the inside lid of the box, stating: "WARNING: Professional Smokers Only. Smoke While Sitting Down." Other promotional literature warns "Smoke only on a full stomach." My tobacconist issued me the same warning before cautiously taking my money for two of these cigars at $5.99 each. I walked out, cigars in hand, wondering just what I had gotten myself into. Is this clever marketing? Or a sincere warning?
Rocky Patel |
These cigars were made by Rocky Patel, President of
Indian Tabac Cigar Company and one of my favorite cigar makers. Knowing his reputation for top quality and construction, and aware of the high ratings his cigars have received in prestigious cigar publications -- and because of my highly-favorable experience with his other products -- I reasoned that these warnings might just be legitimate. This could very well be a knockout cigar. Add to that his collaboration on this line with another of my favorite cigarmakers, Nestor Plasencia (maker of the Plasencia TKO -- soon to be reviewed), I was hoping for a dynamite experience.
But there was a contradictory bit of data to ponder. The huge, old-fashioned wooden box of 100 bandless Honduran smokes also clearly states that these cigars were slowly aged for five years before release. Well-aged cigars, even those of powerhouse strength, will tend to even out and smoothen over time.
Therefore I was anticipating an unusually full-flavored, but smooth, elegant and complex smoke. "Sweet!" I thought to myself.
The appearance of the 6.0 x 52 toro was impressive. Despite its lack of a band this cigar gave the impression that it was of the highest-quality construction. Wrapped in a smooth, matte, deep brown corojo wrapper of uniform color but unquestionable oiliness, this cigar felt solid and heavy in my hand. Its expert aging showed in the stick's crisp texture as my cutter passed through the neat cap. The unlit cigar exuded a nice, deep tobacco smell -- but not strongly. Some cedar was evident, even before it was lit.
The lightup produced surprisingly smooth and soft smoke. Shockingly mild for such a celebratedly strong product, this cigar caused a bit of confusion in me. Yet I was enjoying cedary and nutty flavor notes within this mild initial experience. My daughter appreciated the aroma despite a nasty head cold.
Coming to terms with my surprise, I realized as I smoked it that this was a very enjoyable, mellow cigar with a slightly-tight draw, medium in strength and flavor. At least at first. I recalled that this was a well-aged stogie, and prepared myself for many possible changes in the flavor profile as the stick gradually shortened itself. But at this point the smoke was surprisingly approachable. Surely, anyone could appreciate this one!
After twenty-five minutes I removed 1-1/2" of tight, chiseled, light-gray ash. The cigar was beginning to develop strength, but remained smooth and mellow. I noticed what could only be described as elegantly soft tannins, like those one might savor in a fifteen-year-old
Château Pétrus. However, at this point I was disappointed in the cigar's lack of any appreciable finish. And the draw continued to be just a wee bit tight.
At forty minutes the flavor had changed considerably. Now quite cedary, the flavor was matched with a nice, cedary finish which was beginning to develop some length. Entering its second third at 45 minutes, the smoke was producing a full, cedary flavor profile, complimented now by a long and rich, cedary finish. Yet I would still have classified it as a medium- rather than a full-bodied cigar.
At 50 minutes I removed a second inch and a half of fine ash, and noted that the stick was burning exceptionally well. The construction was impressive, despite its marginally-tight draw. I was definitely enjoying the rich, smooth, cedary flavors of this slowly-strengthening cigar.
At the one hour mark the smoke had become truly delicious. Nutty, intensely cedary, and flavorful, the experience was rather like eating a luscious slice of homemade birthday cake. The finish was now fairly long and creamy, with growing complexity. This cigar fascinated me; with the dramatic scale of its changes it definitely held my interest. This was truly the mark of a well-aged, premium stick. I was spellbound.
Yet at this point (approximately halfway) I was already beginning to feel the effect of nicotine, but not objectionably.
At one hour and fifteen minutes this cigar had now become a truly great one. A third of it was left; producing full-bodied, complex flavors, its finish long and rich, this unusual cigar was remarkably elegant and evidently expertly produced.
Having removed a third inch and a half of ash after an hour and twenty-five minutes, I was now savoring a stub of one and a half inches in length. It was still as luscious as ever. Nicotine continued to be noticeable but not objectionable.
This was a total knuckle-burner. I finally abandoned the stick simply because I could no longer hold onto it without severely burning my fingers, nor could I prevent the searing of my lips when drawing out that fabulous, flavorful smoke. After an hour and forty-five minutes of continuous, delightful smoking this cigar had never issued even the slightest hint of harshness -- a remarkable feat for a hefty ligero blend such as this. Full but smooth, creamy and delicious, the stick produced elegant and complex flavor notes of cedar, nuts, cocoa -- lingering on into the satisfyingly long finish.
Characterized by smooth but well-balanced strength, The Edge Corojo Toro is well-aged, delicious, fascinating -- and immensely surprising. Smoke one and savor the roller-coaster ride of change. It is highly recommended.
