Antico Toscanomade in italy Current production VS vintage photo: paky cassano by Giuseppe MitoloCountry: ItalyBox price.: 8,7 € (2014) - N.D. (vintage)Box: 5 piecesYear: 2014 e pre 1985 52 CigarsLover.com | Magazine
The growing attention towards “vintage” cigars from theCaribbean has driven the authors of this magazine towonder if it is possible to try to extend the concept ofthe proper aging of a cigar to Toscano cigars, the mosttraditional symbol of Italian cigar production. Beforeundertaking this experience (which could also be definedas an experiment), it is necessary to specify that, at least intheory, a cigar produced with whole tobacco leaves (longfiller) will age in a different way from one made with chop-ped leaves. Moreover, also the intrinsic quality of tobaccoundoubtedly influences the aging potentialities. To makeit simple: after ten years in its bottle, a terrible winemight become more or less drinkable, but it will certainlynever become a Sassicaia or a Brunello di Montalcino!Once we found the box containing five samples of“Antico Toscano”, we had to face our first problem: theirdating. We consulted different sources but none of themwere able to provide us with a precise date, given that the back to 1985. For this reason, lacking any other identifica-code stamped by the machine “Corazza” at the bottom tion element, we are inclined to believe that the cigar weof the box is absent. As a consequence, we had to resort are about to smoke was produced between 1973 and 1985.to suppositions based on known dates. We certainly knowthat Antico Toscano was born in 1973 and that other On first glance, you will realize that the band is different:boxes like ours, dating back to 1992, present the first war- a horizontal Italian flag, the old logo of Governmentning “Smoking is dangerous for health”, as well as the Monopolies in the center (a lion with a paw leaningband representing the Palace of Monopolies, identical on a shield showing the letters “MS” and the captionto the one which is still used today. Other boxes, belon- “Monopoli di Stato Italia” surrounding it) and the writingsging to collectors and identical to ours (red seal of the “Antico” and “Toscano”, on the left and on the right ofGovernment Monopoly, no warning and old band), date the described effigy, respectively. Comparative review in the next pages 53
made in italy Smoking notes Antico Toscano Antico Toscano Current Vintage pre 1985 ProductionAntico Toscano is rolled around one of the most typi- On visual examination, the cigar presents evident dif-cal wrappers which are often used for the products of ferences from the Antico Toscano which is now onthis brand: dark brown colour with dusky glares, some the market. The first one is its size: it is 5mm longerimperfections in the machine production, as well as a and has both slimmer belly and slimmer ends. The leaflumpy surface with noticeable ribs of the wrapper leaves. used as a wrapper has a classic warm brown colour and is still bright, in spite of many years of aging.The pre-lit cigar releases characteristic aromas rela- Ribs are present, but in a lesser amount than usual.ted to rawhide, spices and very light hints of pepper. Before lighting it up, this Antico Toscano emanates theOnce you light it, Antico Toscano immediately releases typical scents of the brand, though considerably weake-its characteristic bitter flavour, which, in spite of being ned by time: wood, pepper and rawhide.predominant, leaves room for an acidulous taste. The aro- The opening is rather unexpected, with a very pro-matic scale also reflects exactly what one would expect nounced sour flavor, which will characterize the firstfrom this Toscano cigar: wood, pepper and rawhide notes minutes of smoking, making way for a slightly spicy sen-are present in every puff. Despite all this, it is still possible sation. Although simple, the aromas are exceptionally wellto detect a hint of ammonia, as well as a good strength blended: wood, rawhide and walnut play on equal footing,which almost reaches the maximum level (4/5). The ash without any preponderance. While continuing to smoke,has the usual dark grey colour with lighter streaks; it is you get surprised by its finesse and harmony, which may befriable and can’t stay attached to the cigar for a long time. misleading and let you think of another cigar, if you didn’t have such a physically recognizable cigar as the ToscanoThe middle part of the cigar doesn’t present any drama- in your hands. After about fifteen minutes, the cigar chan-tic change in comparison with the first third. Nevertheless, ges pace, releasing light earthy and cocoa notes as well asthe flavour of this Toscano changes slightly: the sour present walnut notes. The strength is limited to the lowertaste turns into a savoury one, while the bitterness atte- point in the scale (1/5). The ash is compact, very long andnuates, making it possible for the bitter-savoury pair to particularly dark (almost black) with a few lighter streaks.be the only theme of the cigar’s central body. Aromasare scarce, due to the fact that the rawhide is always pre- At about halfway through the cigar, the initial aciduloussent and predominant, while only light hints of wood flavour of the beginning attenuates, giving way to a bitterand almond accompany it. The strength is stable at 4/5. taste, which takes over and makes the strut of time in the 54 CigarsLover.com | Magazine
Smoking notesIn the final third, Antico Toscano gets worse: it beco- company of this Toscano more “full-bodied”. From themes very bitter and the increase in strength (5/5) aromatic point of view, there is not much to point out,is not accompanied by an increase in intensity or except for the firm presence of walnut and cocoa and for theby a change in aromas (which are always related to appearance of very light spices. The strength is stable (1/5).rawhide and wood). For these reasons, the smokerends up leaving what is left of the cigar in the ashtray. In the final part, an important aroma of walnut distin- ctly stands out and, in the undertone, light spices andThe complexity, evolution and balance of this “Antico wood emerge. Only in this final phase, with the strengthToscano” from the current production have a low of the cigar slightly increasing (reaching a medium-lightevaluation, as both harmony and balance are com- level, 2/5), the Kentucky tobacco attitude (strengthpletely missing. Nevertheless, this is a product and sharpness), typical of the Toscano cigar, emerge.that puts into play its appreciation towards theend-user, both for its rustic character and for its aro- In conclusion: complexity, aromatic intensity, evolu-matic intensity (which isn’t anyway very refined). tion and persistence reach medium level. Balance is the element characterizing this “Antico Toscano”, which sur-All in all, the final part is very imbalanced and the prises for its elegant and refined character. Without anywhole smoking results to be decent. doubt, its limited strength, allowed a clearer perceptionKnowing the product and being aware of its distin- of the aromas, without the overwhelming strength toctive features, you can only take cognizance of that. which the Toscano brand got us used to over the years.80Overall evaluation:/100 85Overall evaluation:/100 Apart from the different evaluations of the two Antico Toscano, what surprise is the complete loss of that strengthand imprinting which characterize the Toscano brand (experiences that the author of this article personally repeatedwith Toscano cigars from 2003 and 2006). In spite the fact that this is a “strong” cigar, loved (or hated) by many people,with the passing of time it seems that its strength completely dissolves, making way for aromas, which are certainlymore versatile if compared to a current production cigar. CigarsLover.com | Magazine 55
La Coronavintage Cazadores By Paolo TopaCountry: CubaVitola: CazadoresSize: cepo 43 x 162 mm (6,4”)Pirce: 80€ (estimated)Box: 25 piecesYear: late ‘60 56 CigarsLover.com | Magazine
The brand La Corona has been particular blend of tobacco.out of production since 1978, T h e V i t o l a d e G a l e r awith the exception of a parti- (Cazadores) has, as its actualcular machine made collection Cuban representatives, justwhich launched in 1989 and the Romeo y Julieta Cazadoreslasted for 10 years, proving (“tripa larga” or long filler) yto be a disappointing out- the J.L Piedra homonymouscome for many cigar lovers. “tripa corta” (short filler).La Corona is a high qua- Consequently, it is a very inte-lity brand, famous for its resting smoke. The Cazadores is aesthetically beautiful. The wrapper is magnificent, still oily and with a notable shine despite the decades. The construction is good and the band is a tiny masterpiece, with shining colours and a visible text. Smoking notesThe smells are mild. Among the well marked, they are exquisite and its reputation thanks to the qua-four cigars we tried, two of them enjoyable. The strength increases up lity of the tobacco used and ofhad draw problems, while the other (3,5/5) and this is quite unpredic- the good blend. The complexity istwo were mechanically correct. table as we are referring to a cigar good, though not extraordinary, as that should have lost the majority well as the general balance. The factThe first third develops strong aro- of its nicotine as time has gone by. that this cigar is almost 50 years oldmas, quite normal for the Vitola proves that Cuban cigars, if wellCazadores (always characterised by The last third presents the last maintained, can give enjoymentits roughness). However, the advan- improvement of aromatic inten- for years to come. A funny andtages of a good blend are more than sity, at this point it is considerable. demanding smoke at the same time.apparent: black pepper, dried fruit, The delicacy underlines pepper,earth and a bit of animal leather. wood and dried fruit. The strengthThe strength is medium-low (2.5/5). seems to be still improving (4/5) /100* 9 0while the roughness of the aroma- General evaluation:During the second third the aro- tic selection becomes one of thematic intensity improves as well as main characteristics of the smoke.the flavors of both earth and pep- *For the rating we just consideredper. Dried fruit element are also Overall the Cazadores maintains the cigars with a good draw. Alcoholic: Franciacorta Pas Dosé 57Non-alcoholic: slightly sparkling water
famous smokers Maradona By Mirko Fabbian A Cohiba for “El Pibe” Mexican edition, leading his national team during the whole competition. He also played for some of the greatest foot- ball teams in the world, including Boca Junior, Barcelona, Napoli and Sevilla, achieving excellent performances thanks to which he was nominated by absolute majority as the best player in the century at the end of the 2000s. Left-footed, brilliant, excellent in free kicks and penal- ties, he was gifted with an innate leadership which made his feet even more magnetic and trenchant, up to the point that they entered the collective imagination. Nevertheless, his great career as a professional football player was tarnished by the positive drug tests for cocaine in 1991 and for ephedrine in 1994. Drug addiction also provoked Maradona’s heavy weight gain during the years following his retirement from professional football, a problem he solved through surgery. But that is not all:Diego Armando Maradona was born on October 30th he was hospitalized several times because of hyperten-1960 in Lànus, an Argentinian town in the province sive crisis and even a heart attack that endangered his life.of Buenos Aires. He was the third of seven children. Among Maradona’s passions we can’t forget to men-Considered as one of the greatest football players of all tion Cuban cigars, which he kept smoking even whentime, throughout his career Maradona took part in four he suffered from poor health conditions. Maradona is aWorld Cups (1982, 1986, 1990 and 1994) and won the 1986 personal friend of Fidel Castro (many pictures actually58 CigarsLover.com | Magazine
show them together) and is an aficionado of both the relationship he has established with his fans throughout“Classic” and the “Maduro 5” lines of the Cohiba brand. the years, Diego Armando Maradona is considered oneDuring the trainings in the 2010 South Africa World Cup, of the most emblematic figures of the last century and awhen Maradona was the Argentinian national football team leading personality also outside the world of sports. Themanager, he was often seen smoking a “puro” in the field, fact that he supported the cause of Latin America and, insomething that caused a stir among sports journalists and particular, Chavez, the deceased President of Venezuela,other people working in the area. He himself proudly clai- made him influential also from a political point of view.med that those cigars were a present from Fidel Castro. In any case, we from CigarsLover like to imagine himAs already mentioned before, the passion for Cuban while he sits just outside the touchline, following a youngcigars didn’t even leave him after he went to a rehab and promising football player and willing to give him advi-center. Only a few days after his discharge, he was seen ces. And, obviously, in the company of his beloved andsmoking one of his beloved habanos while watching inseparable Cuban cigars.a match. After his rehab and in spite of his poor andunstable health conditions, unconfirmed reports descri-bed him as a heavy smoker, who was able to burn downup to four cigars per day, a certainly significant number.Some anecdotes about cigar smoking seem to match per-fectly with the Argentinian’s exuberant personality. In fact,it is said that Maradona was responsible for starting thefire alarm in a hotel for lighting a cigar irresponsibly. Bycoincidence, Chelsea team was also staying at the samehotel and the result was that over 200 guests had to be eva-cuated in the middle of the night and in a biting cold forabout forty minutes. Besides, during a press conferenceMaradona himself told that he got to know Mario Balotellithanks to a cigar. In fact, the Italian attacking midfieldersent Diego a picture of himself smoking a Cuban cigar,knowing that the Argentinian star was a true aficionadoof habanos. Maradona really appreciated it, burst intolaughter and, from that moment on, he started a longdistance friendly relationship with the Italian black player.An international symbol of football appreciated forhis extraordinary sports feet, Maradona succeeded inmaintaining his class and popularity in spiteof the difficult moments he had to go through.Thanks to his unmistakable class and to the closeCigarsLover.com | Magazine 59
events Big Smoke By Luca Cominelli The switzerland goes on fireThe Big Smoke is an event organized in Zurich,Switzerland, on the 28th of June 2014. The location was on Zurich lake and the day was dedicatedto the cigar world. 350 smokers were present with everyonesharing their own passions during a day full of relaxation.Among the participants there were also cigars impor-ters and distributors. They brought many of their cigars,allowing people to experience different cigars from diffe-rent brands and different countries. There was also plentyof cigar news being exchanged; additionally, there werealso spirits and coffee distributors present which allo-wed for the participants to pair their cigars with differentdrinks. 60 CigarsLover.com | Magazine
During the event, a musical band was able to add tothe relaxing ambiance; there was also a Cuban stylegrill which offered a bit of spiciness to the event.In the evening, there were card games made possible bythe dealers from the Baden Casino; seeing the players withtheir cigars evoked feelings of going back in time to thelast decade when players were still allowed to enjoy theirbeloved stick while playing! CigarsLover.com | Magazine 61
VocabularyINFO Meaning of the terminologies usedAnilla: papier band on the cigar, which is used to identify the brand.Calibre (cepo or ring gauge): diameter of the cigar.Capa (wrapper): the leaves used to wrap the Tripa and the Capote.Capote (binder): the leaves used to wrap the Tripa.Catadores: from the factory assigned employees, which try the cigars on a daily bases, to verify the quality.Cepo: ring gauge.Claro: tonality of the light brown color of the wrapper.Colorado: tonality of the chestnut brown color of the wrapper.Colorado clark: tonality of the interim brown color of the wrapper.Colorado maduro: tonality of the dark brown color of the wrapper.Figurado: a cigar which presents a pointed end.Fortaleza: the sensation of the strength, which the smoke provokes in the throat of the smoker with every puff.Galera: a place where the cigars are prepared.I.S.: International Shape.Largo: length of the cigar.Liga: the mixture of the leaves used, which characterizes the cigar.Ligero: leaves that are harvested in the higher part of the tobacco plants and that give the strength to the cigar.Maduro: tonality of the mahogany-dark brown color of the wrapper.Medio tempo: leaves that are harvested in the top part of the tobacco plants.Puro: a cigar, which is exclusively prepared with leaves from the resulting country.Seco: leaves that are harvested in the interim part of the tobacco plants and give aroma to the cigar.SLD: short for Slide Lid Box.Tercio: ball of untreated tobacco.Thirds (first, second and third): parts in which the cigar gets divided.Torcedore: employee who rolls the cigars.Tripa (filler): leaves which compose the filling of the cigar.Tripa corta: a filling which is composed of the cuts, pieces and damaged leaves.Tripa larga: a filling with whole leaves.Vitola: module or format of the cigar with an established diameter and length.Vitola de galera: unique name which is attributed to distinguish the different formats, independent of the name hich is will be given to the cigar. (Marevas, Prominentes, etc…)Vitola de salida: name attributed to the commercial end. And changes from each marca. (Siglo VI, Serie D no. 4, etc...)Volado: leaves which are harvested at the bottom of the tobacco plants. Fundamental for the combustion of the cigar. 62 CigarsLover.com | Magazine
SectionsWhat you can find on CsL MagazineDRINKS SLOW ATTITUDE The best drinks in combination with cigars. When Te c h n i c a l a r t i c l e s f o r a b e t t e r u n d e r s t a n -the pairing is a source of absolute pleasure. ding of the product cigar secrets and insights of use for both beginners and aficionados.DUELS There will be horizontal reviews, which means SMOKES FROM THE WORLD reviews of differnt cigars that shares the same vitola. To understand completely cigars, it’s important to experience all the terroir of reference: Nicaragua,EVENTS Honduras, Dominican R. and not more. TheItalian or international events of particular impor- smoke “around the world” are increasingly com-tance. Of course, the photographic record will be mon and source of more and more satisfaction.carefully made. TASTE FAMOUS SMOKERS The reviews of the country worldwide referen-Biographies and curiosity of celebrities, Italian and ced as the datum point for all the aficionados:foreign, living or dead, with an unbridled passion in the island of Cuba. New and old acquaintances.common: the art of slow smoking and in parti-cular for cigars. THOUGHTS Deepen the topics covered in all the other catego-INTERVIEW ries is a symptom of completeness. Here we try toStories of passions narrated directly by the pro- go further, seek solutions and propose interpreta-tagonists: inter views with insiders, tobacconists, tions of everything that happens in the cigars world.importers, collectors, and so on and so forth. TOBACCO HISTORY MADE IN ITALY Stories from the tobacco world: the big brands, theReviews, discussions and insights regarding the crops, the manufacturers of the past, and the citycigars made in Italy. The tradition of Tuscani, grew on the tobacco business. Because to under-the novelty of Nostrano del Brenta and more! stand the cigar you have to understand its origins.PREMIUM STICKS TOOLS Reviews of Caribbean cig ars of g reat impor- Accessories are an essential element for the modern smo-tance and prestige: “Reserva” and “Gran Reserva” ker: tools for cutting, humidors, lighters, cigar holders,editions and other limited and rare releases, fine furnishing accessories. Every detail has its importance.cigars and hard to find even in the packaging. VINTAGE RUMORS The world of collecting: cigars aged for decades, the greatMarket trends, the latest arrivals and all that is a classics of the past and rarest cubans. The charm and thebit ‘”gossip” in the cigar world. extreme quality of the impossible. CigarsLover.com | Magazine 63
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