Toro 6 1/4 x 54 Box-press
Flat. Pleasant 'nuff. Like my HS sweetheart. That's the delivery of mocha fruity notes braced by soft-woods and almond paste. Underbelly of top-soil and compost. Loosened seams at char with a widening/rounding of press. Potpourri aroma. Smoothly textured off even draw. Peppery-piquant retro-hale nasally kick on-par with Dylan's tunes.
FINAL GRADE: B+
A 90-100 B 80-89 C 70-79 D 60-69 F 0-59
WRAPPER: Connecticut Broadleaf Maduro
BINDER: Nicaraguan
FILLER: Nicaraguan
STRENGTH: Medium
ORIGIN: La Zona SA, Nicaragua
"The original blend was Pepin Garcia’s first maduro and its first box press. The 601 Blue comes in four sizes: 5.5 x 56, 5.25 x 52, 6.25 x 54, and 6.12 x 52 (Torpedo).
601 was launched by EO Brands…Erik Espinosa and Eddie Ortega. A few banding changes raised the ire of the public and they are now back to pretty much what the original band looked like. The first change was in 2010 and then the banding was changed to what it looks like now in 2011.
The 601 brand came from Eddie Ortega and Erik Espinosa. They eventually split. And left their distributor, Miami Cigar & Co. Rocky Patel acquired 50% of the company and you can guess what happened next.
At the dissolving of the company, Espinosa took its helm. And is now sold under the aegis of Espinosa Premium Cigars. Ortega is out." - Cigar Reviews by the Katman, on the 601 Blue Label Maduro and its lengthy and interesting 'nuff history.
"I Was the Cook" Kaplowitz Radio: September 20, 2017