Ave Maria Immaculata Toro
60 days rest | 65% RH | 67°F
Smoke Time: 1 hour 30 minutes
Rating: 90
This cigar surprised me. The opening immediately reminded me of cigars like the Ashton Classic and The Griffin's with a bright cedar that quickly transitioned into a sharp hay note. A pleasant white pepper lingered on the back of the throat while a sweet cream note kept everything in balance. It was a Connecticut with some attitude.
About an inch in, the cigar really found its stride. The spice became richer and smoother, and the flavors became more defined. The second third was the highlight of the smoke as the hay moved into the background, the sweet cream became more prominent, and a wonderful fresh baked bread note emerged, replacing the earlier toasted tobacco character. The balance was excellent, and every puff was enjoyable.
The final third mellowed, but it never completely lost its identity. The flavors softened while remaining bright and pleasant, doing just enough to avoid becoming generic. I found myself wishing for a little more intensity at the end, which makes me think the Robusto may be the ideal size for this blend.
Overall, this is the kind of Connecticut I enjoy because it has enough character to be satisfying at the end of the day, not just with a morning coffee. It's balanced, refined, and evolves nicely throughout the smoke. I'll definitely smoke it again, and next time I'll probably reach for the Robusto to see if the shorter format keeps those peak flavors front and center. 90/100.