Back on June 17th Flor de Selvo announced that they would be adding the Toro to their signature line. The cigar which has received high ratings from Cigar Journal is looking to expand on their foot print in the United States and is available in a Connecticut and Maduro wrapper.
According to Flor de Selva, “The Connecticut Toro features a Honduran Connecticut wrapper with Honduran binders and fillers, for a true, medium-bodied “puro” featuring the classic aromas and flavors of our award-winning brand. The Maduro Toro features a naturally-fermented Honduran Habano wrapper, Brazilian Mata Fina binder as well as Honduran fillers, providing a well-balanced medium- to fuller-bodied cigar.”
Cigar Review: Flor de Selva
Size: 6 x 52 (Toro)
Wrapper: Honduran Habano (Maduro)
Binder: Brazilian Mata Fina
Filler: Honduras
Strength: Medium
Source: Flor de Selva
The Look: The dark Habano wrapper has a nice amount of oils present with some thin veins. The toothy stick has a dual band system with a foot band denoting Maya Selva Cigars, while the primary band is white with olive coloring denoting Flor de Selva. In the hand the cigar is firm with a silk like feel and a nice weight to it.
The Notes: The cold draw of the Flor de Selva Maduro has notes of oats, earth and a slight molasses that is mimicked on the foot of the cigar. The prelight experience is so good that I take some time before I light up the cigar just soaking in the experience.
Once the cigar is lit the sweetness of the prelight draw is non-existent for the first inch or so as the dominant note becomes a rich coffee with spice through the nose and slightly earthy finish. As the cigar levels out some sweetness develops on the front end that reminds me of raisins.
The second third of the Flor de Selva sees the coffee remain the dominant note, with some leather on the finish that is moderate in length. As the cigar progresses past the halfway point the notes of leather become the focal point and the finish becomes shorter as the pepper through the nose increases.
The last third picks up some notes of roasted almond (I think I’ve been hanging around Mr. Jonathan a bit much), with continued coffee notes. The leather remains but more of an after thought. The long finish has notes of coffee and almonds.
The Burn: Talk about a cigar that is so well packed with a draw that defines perfect that burns incredibly slow. The Flor de Selva Toro lasted me well over 2 hours being the slow smoker that I am. The ash which starts out light and becomes darker as the cigar progresses hold on very well. The cigar remained lit from first light last puff.
The Overall: How this cigar does well in Europe and scores well in Cigar Journal is beyond me as the strong cigar comes off as something made for the American market. Dark and roasted nuances coat the palate with a leathery finish that would pair well with a nice oaky single malt scotch, the Flor de Selva is a cigar that will be right in wheelhouse of those who prefer a darker profile. I’ll be smoking these again after a nice porterhouse while sitting on the deck once fall comes around in New England.
Score: 90
Price: $10.50
Flor de Selva Toro
Flor de Selva Toro Foot
Flor de Selva Toro Burn
