The Passions of Ker: Luciano’s Foreign Affair
A Dangerous Liaison to smoke.
Toro Extra
Even if this was not the original meaning behind the name—a
point I will revisit later—one must admit that spending an extended moment with
this cigar is like a private understanding, a time where I surrender to my pure
hedonistic leanings. Its palette of bold yet smooth flavors draws us into a
passionate relationship. It is a personal journey into the unknown, a secret
liaison with luxury.
For Luciano Meirelles, this cigar pays tribute to the
globalization of the cigar industry and its aficionados. When you smoke a
cigar, you are immersed in a blend of 'foreign affairs': tobaccos from various
countries, workers from different nations, and factories across the globe.
Then, during the tasting itself, smoking a cigar brings together people of
different cultures and foreign languages, creating a human connection that
unites us under the same banner: the appreciation of a vitola.
To smoke a cigar is to participate in a global event. It is
an affair that transcends any local product.
Moreover, upon examining the band, one notices that beneath
a tobacco leaf lies a globe depicted in its navigational form; that is to say,
it does not show countries, but rather the lines of meridians and parallels.
I slide this Toro out of its cellophane. The wrapper is a milk chocolate hue, adorned with a vibrant band of black, bright red, gold, and brown. Within a red circle bordered by a gold circumference, a tobacco leaf rests upon a watermarked globe. This is framed by another circle, black this time, featuring the cigar’s name in gold lettering.
You won't miss it in the cigar shops of those non-decadent countries where one can still step into a walk-in humidor.
For now, in the warmth of my home, I perform a straight cut. On the cold draw, I get the sense that Luciano prioritized balance and nuance over raw strength. I pick up notes of butter cookies (petit-beurre), ginger, quite a few floral hints, and dried earth.
To the touch, the vitola feels particularly firm, yet the draw is perfectly fluid; this might be due to the cigar's double binder.
The lighting goes smoothly, and the foot ignites perfectly
The first few puffs feel like something I’ve experienced
before: black pepper in abundance, cedar, and earth. Even if this has become
the trademark of modern cigars, the start remains very pleasant. One begins to
wonder: when will it settle? At 1 cm, 2, or 3? As aficionados, you know this
transition often occurs between 1 and 2 cm, and this 'affair' is no exception.
A solid centimeter after the first dense clouds of smoke,
the cigar mellows and ventures toward new gustatory horizons: a velvety blend
of rich earth and cedar takes center stage. The draw is excellent, and the burn
gives me no trouble at all
A light red fruit compote strolls leisurely along, accompanied by the first hints of the black pepper’s return; however, earth and cedar remain at the forefront, held in a perfect and sublimely creamy balance.
The tasting continues for a while without any major shifts in flavor.
In terms of strength, it began at medium, slowly building to medium-full, and maintained that level on the scale.
The tasting was conducted over three Toro Extra cigars
(16.51 cm / 52 ring gauge).
Wrapper: Sumatra (Ecuador)
Binder: 2 leaves (Nicaragua, Ecuador)
Filler: Nicaragua, Dominican Republic, Costa Rica
In conclusion: you get the impression of smoking a cigar of yesteryear—so much so that a friend told me: 'Blindfolded, I could believe this was a vintage Cuban.' While it doesn't offer an extremely varied flavor profile—it’s actually quite straightforward—everything is crafted with a balance bordering on perfection, making the experience tremendously enjoyable. It leaves you wanting more!
I will certainly be keeping these in my humidors regularly. I encourage you to head to your favorite tobacconist right away to form your own impression. I only ask that you leave your feedback or thoughts in the comments below this article.
Price at the time of tasting: €19.90