LaPaloma Vintage Reserva Toro Connecticut Cigar- A review by CigarManDan

I received this Cigar as part of a Sampler pack order that I made with the Thompson Cigar Company.  The LaPaloma is a private label line produced by Thompson.  I was looking forward to trying out this Cigar as it was the only Cigar of the order that was not a national brand, and shared the familiar Davidoff Gold highlight on white label color scheme.  So, this Cigar was starting out with a couple of strikes against it, as this similarity was going to probably difficult to meet or exceed.

Upon first look, this Vintage Reserva Toro Connecticut model has a very nice color mix, falling somewhere between a tan and an olive colored wrapper.  The Cigar has very handsome wrap lines with no splitting or cracking visible.  Mine was a typical Toro style, advertised at 6”, with a nominal length of 5 ¾”.  It measured to a 50 Ring Gauge.  It has a nice sweet type fragrance at the head.  So far, so good.

I toasted the head with my trusty Alec Bradley table top lighter.  We were off to a nice even start, with and even draw, and that slightly sweet flavor making a slight emergence.    At about 1-inch through, the ash is stiff and flaky, with no re-lights or touch-up lightings necessary. 

I am noticing that much of the flavor to this Cigar is again that hinting, far off tease that sort of pokes you and runs away before you can catch it.  It leaves this experienced Cigar smoker considering this as a possibly good option for a person just finding the world of Cigars.  The flavor is very mild, the structure is excellent, and the ash and draw remained consistent throughout the smoke.  The entire duration lasted about an hour.

This is clearly an affordably priced offering from Thompson and may be an option for the Cigar rookies or intermediates out there.   Experienced smokers may want to look elsewhere for a budget Cigar, as it will leave you looking for slightly more robust and complex flavors.   If you fall into this category, I would suggest when ordering from Thompson, the Victor Sinclair Cabinet 99’, the Rocky Patel Autumn Series, or maybe a PDR 1878 Cubano Especial Natural.  Those are always reliable at a very reasonable price point.

I fully support online ordering, but where possible please never pass up an opportunity to help out your local Cigar retailer by giving them your patronage.  Share their experience and insights, browse their selections, and maybe even make a few new Cigar friends along the way.