I established CheapCigarBlog on the premise that you can find many spectacular, hand-rolled cigars for around $5.00 or less…so far my quest has proven this out, but its just beginning. But did we set the price point right? What’s “cheap” for your cigar budget?

Carlos Torano Exodus 1959 Silver

Oh, there are disappointments, plenty of them…(especially when limiting myself to the $5.00 rule). But there are also more than enough pleasant surprises, and once in awhile, a cigar will standout enough to become an immediate addition to the home humidor.

Such is the case of a recent find…the Carlos Torano Exodus 1959. I had selected a 5 x 52 Robusto, silver edition at just under $5.00. After an evening of advance prep for Thanksgiving dinner, I slipped out to the cool evening with a glass of Drambuie to see what the Torano had to offer. I can honestly say this cigar is one of the smoothest I’ve enjoyed in a long time. I was rewarded with a medium/full bodied smoke with a tremendously smooth, light wood flavor that hints of orange. It turned out to be a fantastic complement to the drippy sweet scotch & honey drink. Just enough spice to give it body and flavor, but no hint whatsoever of bitterness or peat. Construction, draw, and burn were all first-class.

Since it started to rain, I had to cut it short. I’m looking forward to lighting it back up to see what the back half affords…I’ve found that some of the better cigars are just as good on re-ignition. Regardless, I’m looking forward to exploring the rest of the Torano line! Classify this one as “Sit and Savor” smoke.

• Color: Medium to Dark
• Name: Exodus Silver Robusto
• Size: 4 7/8 x 52
• Wrapper: Criollo – Honduras
• Binder: Costa Rica
• Filler: Costa Rica/Honduras
• Strength: Medium
• Price: $5.00 (if you hunt), /each or $115.00 box of 24
• Category: Sit and Savor

Fonseca Cubano Limitado Robusto 5x50

The oily medium dark brown wrapper glistened in a half-depleted box nestled deep within my favorite cigar store’s humidor.  The selection stood in stark contrast to the matte brown reflection of most of the other sticks in the stash (well, other than the shimmering cellophane wrappers…).  Gently grasping one by the label, I gave it a whiff and was surprised at the mild, peppery nose.

My cigar concierge (heh), said that, in opposition to what I was thinking, this particular Cuban style cigar was milder than the dark wrapper would suggest.  At around $4.00, I figured it worthy a try for CheapCigarBlog honors.

I finally got around to enjoying the Limitado this evening, and was for the most part pleasantly surprised.  The build is dense, and the wrapper firm, though not really “oily” as the shine would suggest.   Once lit, I was greeted by a spicey, almost white-pepper overtone on the pallet, with a medium to strong, but reasonably smooth overall taste that remained consistent through the first couple inches of the cigar.

The Fonseca remained lit, burned slowly, and the strong wrapper responded cooperatively to tweaking with my torch to keep the ash straight.   As I was “on the go” during this initial encounter, the slow burn and spicey flavor already has me looking forward to a sit-down where I can really work the smoke and appreciate its nuances.

At first glance, I’ll call this a great Poker Player.  The beautiful wrapper and bold but smooth aroma makes it a great bluff when you don’t want to go “all-in”.  Pull the label and practice your poker face as you tell tall tales about where you got this one…

• Color: Medium to Dark
• Name: Robusto
• Size: 5 x 50
• Wrapper: Honduras
• Strength: Medium-Strong
• Price: Avg. $4/each or $95 box of 24

There’s the Friday Nighter – a large, long lasting cigar with prodigious smoke, great for guys night in the garage playing a four hour game of Texas No Hold’em.

Of course, there’s the Back-Niner…a medium to large, medium-bodied cigar that perfectly complements a few light beers and a hot dog, stubbornly remains lit while practicing swings and analyzing a green, and holds up well in a zip-lock or travel case in the golf bag between outings.

Then there’s the “Yard Man”.  This is generally a cigar that you can park off to the side of your jaw and chew and puff away on while wielding the weed-eater, raking leaves, or wrestling a the Lawnboy.  Its a working man’s companion.

Which brings us to the “Dog Walker”.  Generally a 4.50 x 40 or 50 medium to robust cigar, just the right size for a one-hour smoke.  A great Dog Walker in my book throws off solid cloud of rich smoke, makes a good head of ash, and can withstand being held between your teeth while switching the leash from one hand to the other or untangling a couple of dogs pre-occupied with a squirrel.

I asked for a few good “Dog Walkers” at Outland Cigar on my last stop…and of the selection I’ve tried so far, the La Finca Robusto Moduro is at the top of my list.  Its construction and finish is on par with cigars costing twice as much or more, and the nutty, spicey flavor holds up all the way to the nub.  The dark brown maduro wrapper and tightly rolled Nicaraguan leaf compliment each other to make for a pleasant, complex smoke that won’t disappoint, and at just over 4 inches, you’ll be savoring the last inch or so just as you make it back home.

• Color: MA
• Name: Classic
• Size: 4 1/2 x 50
• Wrapper: Maduro
• Strength: Medium
• Price: Avg. $2.50/each or $45.00 box of 25