Lalibela Toro by Black Star Line (6 x 52)

Video review HERE.

Lalibela is a town in the Amhara region of northern Ethiopia. It's known for its distinctive rock-cut churches dating from the 12th and 13th centuries, which are pilgrimage sites for Coptic Christians. Carved out of rock, the subterranean monoliths include huge Bete Medhane Alem, and cross-shaped Bete Giyorgis. Many are joined by tunnels and trenches, and some have carved bas-reliefs and colored frescoes inside.

Blend:

Mexican San Andres wrapper

Nicaraguan binder

Nicaraguan filler

Available sizes:

6x60

6x52 REVIEWED TODAY

Sold in 5 packs and boxes of 20.

The cap is finished with a pigtail.

The cigar is a dark brown and has a very good feel in the hand.

The test draw after cutting the cap was firm so I used the PerfecDraw to open the draw. The initial flavors at light up were citrus, citrus peel, apricot, a lot of worn leather, and a lot of earthy black coffee. There was black pepper rated at 7. A very dark noted start. The ratio of sweet to dark notes is around 40/60.

At the first third (38 minutes) the sweeter notes have risen a little. The cigar is pretty much in balance at this point. The apricot and brown sugar notes have come out the most. The citrus rose some but not as much as the apricot and brown sugar. There is some nutmeg in the mix. The worn leather and earthy black coffee are more in a manageable amount. The finish is apricot and leather with average lingering black pepper. The cigar is medium to full bodied. I find this cigar intriguing. I rated the first third 93.

Moving through the second third (1 hour 10 minutes) the cigar started getting a little darker. I now have unsweetened dark chocolate to go with the worn leather and earthy black coffee which helped to make the cigar darker. The apricot and brown sugar are fighting hard to stay afloat and they are definitely there but in a slightly decrease amount. You get the sweet notes and then quickly following are the 3 dark notes. The cigar is now a high grade medium to full bodied; very close to full bodied. The finish is worn leather, light apricot notes, and unsweetened dark chocolate with improved lingering black pepper. I rated the second third 92.

The cigar lasted 1 hour 42 minutes. The cigar kept on the slow roll downward. The darker notes kept slowing rising while the sweeter notes slightly decreased. It's probably around like it started, 40 sweet/60 dark. The cigar is now full bodied. The finish is dark chocolate and nutmeg with good lingering black pepper. I rated the final third 91. Black Star Line is a company I'll keep my eye on. They have some interesting cigars.

Overall Score: 92