Di Fazio Maduro Torpedo

The triple torpedo line-up from Di Fazio cigars.  From left to right is the Connecticut, Picoso, and Maduro.  I have previously reviewed the Picoso and it can be found here.  The following review is on the Di Fazio Maduro, or like to call it the Tuxedo.  I gave it this nickname because the maduro wrapper is almost black the bright white and gold label provide the black tie elegance you can only achieve with a tuxedo.  One other note before I get into the review.  I have been smoking cigars for more than decade and I have never really settled on a particular type of cigar.  After sampling the trifecta from Di Fazio I can say I enjoy smoking torpedo's.  The are easy to cut, adjust the draw, and are a nice length and gauge.  OK enough about that, lets get into the cigar.

Wrapper:
The first you will notice is the color, it is almost a double maduro.  The wrapper is dark dark brown, almost black.  The wrapper was bit tacky to the touch and smelled woody and full.  Two sensations that would carry through the whole smoke. The wrapper was also seemless I found ti difficult to determine where one leave ended and the next one started.

Construction:
Top notch construction.  If this was a tuxedo it must have been an Italian custom.  The cap was solid and cut very evenly with no fraying. There were noticeable defects in the wrapper or the cap.

Ash and Smoke:
The ash remained light grey through the whole smoke and the smoke was thick and white.  There was plenty of smoke throughout the whole cigar which could be contributed to perfect draw I experienced.  As always I rate cigars on how many times it ashes by itself.  A cigar of this length should ash no more than twice before extinguishing. This cigar lived up to that expectation.  This can be contributed to the excellent construction.

Flavors:
Through out the whole cigar the flavors stay constant except for the prominence.  In the first 1/3 you will get a strong Pepper on the pallet and that fades in the 2/3 and is only noticeable on the tip of the tongue in the last 3rd.  The cigar has hints of Cinnamon and Clove, the hints are slightly noticeable in the 1/3 but really come life in the last 2/3 of the cigar.  The mixture provided a slight sweetness that kept my mouth from getting dry.  The wood note of the cigar was cedar.  The hint of cedar complimented the Pepper, Cinnamon, and Clove.  The cedar was just enough to make this full body smoke enjoyable, without it the spice would have been a little over powering. 

Strength:
The first 1/3 of the cigar was the mildest part.  As the cigar burned the strength increased with out the heat, which was nice.  The cedar note really helped this cigar stay stable.  Full body cigar are quite tough to get right and this combination worked very well together.

Overall:
The Picoso and the Maduro have similar tastes and constructions.  The Maduro is fuller bodied and the flavors are much more in your face than the Picoso.  If a full body cigar is to your liking then you must try this cigar.  I was very pleased with Maduro.  I am looking forward to trying the Connecticut.

Comments:
As always this cigar was placed in my humidor for at least 4 weeks to rest before smoking.  The picture above was provided by Kenneth Peters Photography.