Review: Arganese Nicaraguan Torpedo (Presidente)

Manufacturer: Arganese Dominicana S.A.
Country: Dominican Republic
Filler: Dominican Repulic
Wrapper: Nicaraguan Corojo
Size: 6 7/8 x 52
Overall Impression: B

You have to love entrepeneurs like Gene Arganese. Here's a man with a passion for cigars who transitions from having his own private blend to starting his own cigar company. A man committed to quality and affordability, Arganese has based his operations in one of the best regions for cigar growing in the Dominican Republic, hired the best torcedors, and personally oversees every aspect of production. He also has a natural gift for developing a compelling product line.

In the flagship Arganese line all cigars use Dominican tobacco for the filler and binder while providing smokers a choice of wrappers: Nicaraguan corojo, Ecuadorian Connecticut Shade, or Brazilian Matafina Maduro. The filler tobacco is 100% 1st generation Cuban seed. The Nicaraguan version is billed as a full-bodied cigar, however at most it is medium-bodied, which is not a criticism at all.

Appearance: The appearance is light brown with rough looking veins and a soft delicate-feeling wrapper.

Construction: The construction is the only real draw-back to the Arganese Nicaraguan Torpedo. I smoked 5 of these over a 2 month period with much the same result. Upon clipping the head, I found the prelight draw not so much tight or blocked, but limited. Once lit the draw produced little smoke. In each case the wrapper began cracking 1" in. I keep my cigars around 66% rh, so maybe these need a bit more humidity? The last two I tried, I cut the head a little further with no improvement. Despite the perception of a draw problem the burn line progressed evenly leaving a sturdy gray ash a bit over an inch in length. The cigar never required correction or relighting. Once nursed past the halfway point, the wrapper stopped cracking and proceeded normally.

Flavor: The flavor is the highlight of the experience and the reason I will continue buying Arganese cigars. It has complexity delivering a distinct nuttiness along with cedar notes and a creamy finish during the first half. Halfway through the nuttiness dissipated and some faint notes of chocolate were detected along with citrus. The aroma was cedary and nutty. Over the last third, it developed a nice salty finish.

Overall Impression: I rated the Arganese Nicaraguan Torpedo a solid B with points subtracted for appearance and construction. The flavor, though, is very enjoyable and I wish the draw would open up so I could enjoy more of that rich flavor and aroma. The price which is around $5 is a bargain. All in all Arganese is a very exciting newcomer to the premium cigar market. I'm anxious to sample his new lineup for 2008 especially the ML3 and CL3.