A UKCF First ? Toscano Classico

[Smallclub]

The complete range, with italian prices in 2005: (price per cigar)

---- machine made----------
Garibaldi : 0.84 ?
Toscano : 0.98 ?
Extra Vecchio : 1.10 ?
Antico : 1.50 ?
Antica Riserva : 1.85 ?

------ hand made --------------
Originale : 2.40 ?
Originale Selected : 5.30 ?
Originale Millenium : 8.50 ?
Il Moro : 30.00 ?

[Big_T_UK]

This thread I found through google is half information on the range and handmade/machine made...

http://www.badgerandblade.com/vb/showthread.php?t=85551

[Smallclub]

Manufacture: Machine

There are several different Toscani. One of them, at least, is 100% hand rolled.

[Smallclub]

I love the Toscani. Probably the most earthy cigar on Earth…

They're made with a variety of Kentucky leaves grown in Italy…

btw, the usual way to smoke them is to cut them by the middle (=2 cigars)

I believe Clint Eastwood smokes 1/2 Toscani in the famous spaghetti westerns…

[Big_T_UK]

Thinking about it, maybe somebody can shed some light on this for me. I have search the net high and low and I cannot find a listing and description of the entire range or Toscano. I would love to know what to hunt for and know what I have yet to try. Anybody know of said information?

[Big_T_UK]

If you are on the continent, especially Italy, they are insanely cheap, the entire pack is about four quid or something, I cannot remember specifics. There is also quite a range, some long filler, some not. Worth investigating. They also do special editions.

[tippexx]

I think they're a brilliant smoke too T.

http://www.cgarsltd.co.uk/toscano-classico-p-4316.html

and, less than four quid for that length of smoke .... Eggy's been missing out big time .... Don't tell El Cat, but I'm buying a pack!

[El Catador]

Great job Triple X!
(and pictures too!)

I have one of these waiting in the humi, and I have to say, I'm looking forward to 'giving-it-a-whirl' even more now.

Flavours of: "Sour olives and gentlemen's tailors"?
You tantalising little minx - come to daddy.

[Big_T_UK]

BRILLIANT. Am Italian friend of mine and Jimmeh's occasional passes us one or two and we enjoy them throughly. Totally different to most anything else but still nice. Some of the looks we get when we say we like them though could stop your heart, LOL!!!

[tippexx]

Toscano ? Classico
Size: 6ins x 38
Origin: Cava de Tirreni and Lucca. Italy
Manufacture: Machine
Smoke time: 1hour 50mins

This cigar was gifted to me by Andy (ACMCC). I decided to review it on an ?Oh well, let?s get it out of the way? basis and really wasn?t expecting very much, although I had learned that this Toscano has one or two legends attached to it.
1). The cigar has two deliberately tapered ends and is designed to be cut in half, and in Italy by tradition, is herfed between friends.
2). The Classico is the cigar believed to have been smoked by Clint Eastwood in the ?Dollar? Westerns.


Appearance: Dark, gnarled and branchlike with two tapering un-capped ends. The wrapper leaf binding is quirkily spiraled with very pronounced veining that looks more varicose than botanical.
This cigar is ingenious, it?s machine made, yet somehow the Italian?s have managed to make it look like it?s been wrung together by a twelve year old.

Construction: This is the firmest cigar I have ever come across. There is absolutely no ?pinch? to it whatsoever. The tobacco compactness turned out not to be an issue however, because the draw although slightly resistive, was easily manageable throughout the entire smoke session. The ash was compact and firm and needed very few tap-offs considering the length and gauge of the cigar. (see photos) No re-lights, no corrections.

Flavour: I?m not going to break this into thirds. The cigar is subtly progressive. The flavours start mild and sweet becoming ever fuller and richer and more captivating as you go. The flavours range from soft, fruit sugar to bitter chocolate tones mixed with toasted nuts and something akin to sour olives. There?s even a taste which reminded me of bespoke tailoring shops, and which if you could bottle it would make a fabulous mens aftershave. I wasn?t really expecting much tastewise from this cigar, but have to confess that I really enjoyed it. But then again, I guess it does come from a country not really famous for making un-delicious things.

Overall: A huge surprise. Excellent, and just look at the smoking time. I puff at around half minute intervals, these are an absolute bargain for anyone wanting to try something just a little bit different to Cubans or Caribbean NCs.