While visiting Bolzano, Italy, last spring, I stopped into a tabaccheria with an especially extensive selection of Toscano cigars. I picked up a box of Toscano del Presidente 20th Anniversario, a special edition commemorating the twentieth anniversary of the original Toscano del Presidente, released in 2006.
The cigar’s description lists premium North American Kentucky tobacco for the wrapper and selected Italian and North American Kentucky tobaccos for the filler. As with all Toscano cigars, there is no binder. The commemorative cigars are aged for 20 months rather than the usual 14. They come in a commemorative box of 20 ammezzato cigars, along with a ceramic tray bearing the anniversary logo.
The cigars and presentation box are sold exclusively in Italy and aren’t available online. The package was a little heavy and awkward in my backpack for the flight home, but its uniqueness made the effort worthwhile.
Recently, I paired one with an espresso for a quick afternoon pick-me-up.
The diminutive cigar offers a peppery, toasted, earthy smoking experience. I didn’t find its profile as rich in woody smokiness as that of most Toscano varieties, but it remained distinctly Toscano-esque. The bitter espresso was the perfect complement.
The small cigar lasted about 35 minutes — much longer than the double espresso. It made for a delightful afternoon repast, with memories of Italy. The only thing missing was a sweet cornetto on the side.
Cheers!
No comments:
Post a Comment
Comments on posts over 30 days old are held for moderation. Legitimate discussion is welcome and will be published in short time. Please be patient.
Spam comments will be quickly deleted. Don't waste your time or mine.