A couple of weeks back we had Stephen Adib on from Cuba Rica Tabacalera and during the course of the show he mentioned the new Testarosso. While the packaging and branding changed slightly the blend itself is a closely guarded secret and when we opened the box we were blown away by the aroma of the cigar that we had to review it.
According to the Testarosso website, “The” Red Head” is a full body cigar for those who seek the ultimate in strength and flavor. It’s wrapper, an Ecuadoran Habano – it’s oily sheen a precursor of the complex, flavor journey, to follow. The Testarosso binder and filler are left to one’s imagination. Just let it go – Testarosso will do the rest. Backed with understated power and elegance, the “Red Head” experience will be one of perfect balance, sweet undertones, and a hint of spice.”
Cigar Review: Testarosso
Size: 5 x 56 (Topaz)
Wrapper: Ecuador Habano
Binder: Not Disclosed
Filler: Not Disclosed
Strength: Medium-Full
The Look (9/10): The Testarosso features a gorgeous chestnut-brown color wrapper with an abundance of oils on it that is flawlessly rolled. It features two bands with the first denoting the brand name of the cigar that wasn’t on the cigar prior to the new release. The closed foot is covered by a band that looks like ash. In the hand the cigar is firm with no soft spots.
The Notes (32/35): The aroma off of the cigar is that of brown sugar with a touch of cinnamon. When you open the box for the first time in envelopes you and intoxicates. The cold draw of the cigar is tough do to the close foot but the note is that of a grape pixie stick.
Once the cigar is lit some of the grape notes from the cold draw remain once we get through the first few puffs of the cigar. While the grape like note seems artificial like the powder of a pixie stick it is quite enjoyable but thankfully it begins to fade by the time we reach the first half-inch of the smoke. At this point the cigar develops some notes of brown sugar with elements of leather and earth.
In the second third of the cigar some notes of mocha develop with well-defined cashew. Through the nose there is an abundance of pepper that adds to the overall strength and creates some additional notes of licorice.
The last third of the Testarossa remains nutty with elements of walnut. The lengthy finish of the cigar as a faint sweetness that borders on mocha with a touch earth.
The Burn (32/35): The slow smoking cigar produces a gray ash that had some brown elements to it in the initial lights. The ash despite being a little flaky could be used in a longest ash contest as one of the samples I smoked I kept the ash going until the band while for the purpose of the review I ashed every third of the cigar. The draw of the cigar was near perfection, where the burn line was slightly irregular with an average combustion line.
The Finish (18/20): The Testarossa is one of those cigars that many people don’t know about. However, after smoking one you are perplexed to as why. The cigar has a rich flavor profile with a fair amount of strength and it has renewed my interest in Cuba Rica.
Score: 91
Price: $9.19
Bullet Points
- While normally I like a foot band I find the Testarosso band to be a cheesy novelty that detracts from the overall beauty of the cigar.
- Maybe its psychological but I find this version to be smoother and more balanced with a ton of flavor in comparison to the older version we smoked on the show a couple of weeks ago.
- The oily wrapper looks even better in person then it does the pictures.
- Smoking time was 1 hour 55 minutes
- I paired the cigar with American coffee.
Testarosso
Testarosso Foot
Testarosso Burn
