First impressions of a JL Salazar y Hermanos Reserva Especial Torpedo

[MMAB]

Well, the Salazar Reserva Torps came today. A five-pack from MD Cigars in Yuma, AZ - Great service.

The cigar is a 6x54 box press with a nice toffee colored Ecuadorian wrapper. By look and feel I could swear I am smoking a cigar made by the same factory that makes Maria Mancini Magic Mountains. The size, press and feel are practically identical. The wrapper is a few shades lighter though and the filler is certainly different. It just looks like it came from the same factory.

Prelight is nice. The cigar feels well packed and substantial. A whiff to the nose yields a clean tobacco note. The wrapper is smooth and somewhat dull with no veining. The label is red, gold and white with a prominent "S". Makes me think of the Punch label. Looks nice. Not too glitzy.

Draw is just a touch tight although I did smoke one right away upon arrival from MD in Yuma. I'm sure it's just a little on the wet side and will improve in a couple of weeks resting up in the humidor.

Upon first lighting the cigar I was hit with a solid sweet floral note. I have only experienced this once before and that was with Padron Anniversarios. A very pleasant taste. This lasted for about the first quarter of the cigar which then began to take on a nutty / coffee profile. Getting closer to the last half it became very heavy coffee and cream and always with a sweet, ever so slightly dry finish. Overall a mild/medium bodied cigar.

Burn was excellent considering it was right out of the package. The wrapper began a split near the last third but this again I am sure is due to the cigar being right out of the box. Ash was light gray and held well.

My initial expectations were for a more spicy cigar like a Fuente sun grown since the filler of the Salazar HR uses sungrown tobacco. None the less, this is a pleasant smoke. Would make a perfect first of the day cigar.

There, now I feel like Thurston Howell III

I don't normally do reviews - they sound so.....so.....snooty!

Oh Lovey! Pass the caviar, will you dear?