Review of Isla del Sol Toro

Last Saturday, I had a morning free to myself. It was the perfect opportunity to sit outside and smoke a cigar with my morning coffee. I decided to light up my Isla del Sol that I picked up in a Drew Estate sampler and has been sitting in my humidor. I’m glad I made that choice. This is an infused cigar I enjoyed.

Holding Isla del Sol cigar
Wrapper Origin: Indonesia Shape: Toro
Length: 6 Ring: 52
Wrapper: Sumatra List Price: $108 (Box of 20)
Origin: Nicaragua Strength: Mellow

Pull of Cigar

At 5×52, this is just right for an hour smoke. Its Maduro wrapper gave an earthy feel right from the start. 

This cigar surprised me with some mellow notes that calm at the right tune. There was no sudden burst of flavor, but at the draw, I sensed that there was something special in it.

Even if normally aren’t a fan of infused cigars, you’ll likely change your mind after getting a hint of this cigar’s aroma.

The coffee infuesed in this cigar is from Sumatran Mandheling Beans, one of the finest coffee beans. Mandheling beans are the choice for coffee lovers who have a knack for strong flavors minus the acidity. There is a light, earthy nuance to this that I enjoyed.

The draw is a strong tug then hints at some spice. The combination gave me a felling of a warm, gentle, summer breeze. It will give you a nice warm feeling, even on a cold day. Fitting for the name, ‘Isla del Sol’, which means, Island of the Sun.

Taste

The Nicaraguan filler brings out a relaxing smoke like a short blues song. The undertones of earthiness compose well with the Sumatran flavor of the coffee while keeping it mild and gentle. I was slightly surprised by some syrup-like taste, so this would go well as a dessert smoke.

If you like jazz, this is something akin to a lo-fi jazz song, with simple notes that bring out the kick of a Nicaraguan spice. At the first hint at the palate, strong notes of cherry, almost candy-like sweetness is a good blend with its earthy flavors. The triple Nicaraguan leaf brings out the coffee’s kick, making for a fresh, clean, and smooth smoke without losing the flavor.

While puffing it, the smoothness in the draw is a short, quiet climb of Sumatran coffee bliss to a sweet, smooth, gentle sunrise at around the halfway point. It’s pretty tight, but it can puff plenty of smoke. The chocolate tunes play out while the spice from the Mandheling beans gives you a relaxing finish. The sweetness plays itself out without bringing down the texture; rather, it creates a floral tone to the smoking experience. It would be like taking a short nap on the beach while the sea breeze caresses you because it is easy to smoke without any nicotine rush.

The cap is delightfully sweetened, so watch out for some melody of the coffee and the vanilla creaminess that makes for a great infusion with the earthiness from the Sumatran leaf wrapper. Towards the end of the smoke, none of the strength jolts you, but there is plenty of smoke while the constructions hold up well.

Overall

Smoking Isla del Sol Toro

It has loads of flavor starting from the top, while its impressive feel with the Maduro wrapper holds itself against a keen eye. The mix of the coffee flavor and aroma carries itself in the end well with the sweetness, while the Nicaraguan leaves make for a strong bundle of freshness. At the price point, this cigar is a bargain and goes great with your daily coffee. Perfect for your cigar session while aiming for relaxation. I give it an 85.

Other Cigars Reviews

Other Drew Estate Cigar Reviews

Florida Sun Grown By Drew Estate

Florida Sun Grown by Drew Estate cigars uses tobacco that comes from Clermont, Florida. It is so rare that it is integrated as accent tobacco among all the aged Nicaraguan fillers with Habano Honduran binder along with a Brazilian Mata Fina wrapper. This is a sun-grown Corojo 99 which is superbly tasty and limited. It derives its unique flavors from the sandy soil of Florida. FSG has a unique sweet spice and a depth that you would not mind dying for.

Herrera Esteli

The Herrera Esteli, an exquisite product of Drew Estate’s Nicaraguan factory, offers a profoundly satisfying experience for cigar aficionados, meticulously crafted in the demanding entubado style. Its complex profile, originating from an elegant Ecuadorian Habano wrapper encasing choice Nicaraguan and Honduran tobacco fillers, unfolds a luxurious creamy finish infused with rich notes of cedar, wood, spices, and coffee beans, encapsulating a full and well-rounded flavor that epitomizes smoking pleasure. This Cuban-inspired masterpiece, renowned for its impeccable balance and intricate flavors, continues to captivate enthusiasts in every review of Herrera Esteli.

Other Nicaraguan Cigar Reviews

Vudu San Andres Robusto

The Vudu San Andres Robusto, blended by master-blender Jesus Fuego, is an economically priced, full-bodied cigar known for its sleek design and complex flavors. Featuring a Mexican San Andres wrapper and a blend of Honduran and Nicaraguan tobaccos, this robusto impresses with its stylish presentation, perfect construction, and rich flavors of spice, coffee, cedar, and earthy undertones. Although the flavor profile isn’t unique, it’s the smoothness and balance that captivate, coupled with an excellent draw and solid ash. Despite a lack of significant flavor transitions, it provides a gratifying smoking experience, earning a high rating for its quality and affordability. This summarizes the review of Vudu San Andres Robusto, highlighting its merits as a refined and reasonably priced option for enthusiasts.

CAO Signature Series Robusto

CAO Cigars celebrated for its innovative spirit and “boundary-breaking” motto, offers a vast portfolio of unique blends, including the renowned CAO Gold and CAO La Traviata. The CAO Signature Series Robusto, in particular, boasts an elegant appearance with a complex blend of Nicaraguan, Dominican, and Honduran tobaccos under an Ecuadorian Sumatra wrapper. Its flavor profile is a sophisticated journey from an earthy, sweet pre-light aroma to a symphony of coffee, spices, wood, and fruity notes, transitioning into a medium-bodied smoke in the second third. The final part brings sophistication with tannins, citrusy zest, and a balance of dark flavors, culminating in a satisfying, zesty finish. The cigar’s excellent construction, balanced complexity, and consistent smoke output make it a remarkable choice for new and experienced smokers, solidifying its place in everyday rotations with a commendable 90-point rating. This comprehensive exploration culminates in a favorable review of the CAO Signature Series Robusto.

For more information about the best cigars and other ways to relax make sure to come back to Scotch & Cigars here.

Glyn Caddell

Glyn Caddell