Toscano Antico

Purchased: Massa, Italy
Stars: 3 (for what it was)
Size: Toscano
Smoked: London, 01/03/15
Notes: Bitter-sweet

Romeo y Julieta Short Churchill

Stars: 3
Purchased: P.G.C. Hajenius, Amsterdam, NL
Smoked: Amsterdam 18/10/14
Country: Cuba
Size: Short Churchill
Notes: difficult to judge this one, had ingested half a tub of truffles about 15 minutes beforehand which kicked in mid-smoke wasn't in the usual frame of mind. This did make me was appreciate the visual qualities more than usual though, which werey very pleasing.

Toscano Del Presidente

Stars: 3
Purchased: A tabacchi, Siena
Smoked: Siena 25/07/14
Country: Italy
Size: Toscano
Notes: When in Rome, right? The same has to be said for Tuscany. This was my first European smoke, though certainly not my first non-Caribbean (Mexico, Philippines before). The great thing about these Toscanos is they're cheap, and comfy to hold. Rolled right here in Tuscany with Kentucky shade leaves. I hate to say it tasted like a cigar, but it did. Quite a medium taste. Draw was a little tough but the burn was even and long. Indeed, this tiny finger-burner took the better half of 35mins to finish. I would certainly try one again; there's something appealing about the notes - very chocolatey, perhaps a hint of coffee bean. Would go great after a Tuscan meal of wild boar ribbon pasta and a hearty Brunello. Absolutely.