Orthodox Toro by BLTC (5 3/4 x 50)

Video review HERE.

(Description provided by Black Label Trading Co.)

Black Label Trading Co (BLTC) has released ORTHODOX. Hand crafted at Fabrica Oveja Negra in Esteli, Nicaragua.

"Orthodox is really about Black Label getting back to its roots. We’ve done a lot over the last 10 years but at our core we are about highlighting the strength & intensity of Nicaraguan tobacco. That’s what I went for with the Orthodox. It’s extremely bold with spice throughout the palate and nose. Its intensity is balanced by flavors of dark fruits, cherries, raisins and finishes with star anise. This cigar is bold but very balanced and extremely complex,” says James Brown, creator of Black Label Trading Co./Black Works Studio and partner at Fabrica Oveja Negra.

ORTHODOX

Country of Origin: Nicaragua

Wrapper: Mexico San Andrés

Binder: Ecuador Habano

Filler: Nicaraguan

Vitolas:

5.75x50 Toro (20 count box) MSRP $13.00 REVIEWED TODAY

5x46 Corona Gorda (20 count box) MSRP $12.50

4.5x52 Short Robusto (20 count box) MSRP $12.50

The cigar is dark and well made. It has a nice feel in the hand.

The test draw after cutting the cap was good. The initial flavor at light up was a lot of black coffee but it quickly develops into raisin, black cherry, brown sugar, cinnamon, and black coffee. There was black pepper rated at 8. Nice dark start.

At the first third (19 minutes) I had the same notes but the raisin is the lead flavor and the black coffee may be up just a little. The cigar is very sweet and has some richness. The cigar is medium to full bodied. The finish is a little raisin and black coffee with very good lingering black pepper. The lead flavor of raisin followed by black cherry is very nice. Add in brown sugar for added sweetness with cinnamon and it's even better. I rated the first third 95.

As I moved through the second third (48 minutes) the black coffee has risen. With it the nice sweet notes took a little dip. The cigar is full bodied. The finish is unchanged. The elevated black coffee was noticeable and caused me to rate the second third 94. Not a bad hit but noticeable.

The cigar lasted 1 hour 17 minutes. The black coffee pulled back allowing the nice sweet notes of raisin and black cherry to shine once again. The cigar is full bodied. The finish is unchanged. The cigar is very much like the first third so I rated the final third 95. This is a very good dark noted cigar and box worthy.

Overall Score: 94.67