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It’s pouring outside, so I’m settled on the covered porch with a 601 Black Toro (2021) I was gifted, ready to enjoy the storm’s rhythm and a good smoke. This Nicaraguan toro, a 6-inch, 50-ring-gauge cigar from La Zona Cigar Factory, costs $10 a stick and promises a rich, nutty escape. With the rain hammering down, I light it up, hoping its flavors bring some warmth to this moody evening.

Let’s see if this cigar can match the vibe of the storm.

The Roots

The 601 Black Toro (2021) comes from Nicaragua, rolled at La Zona Cigar Factory in Estelí, a region where fertile soils and skilled hands craft some of the boldest tobaccos around. Its Ecuador Connecticut wrapper, paired with Nicaraguan binder and filler, blends creamy smoothness with earthy depth, showcasing La Zona’s knack for balanced, flavorful smokes. Released in July 2021, this toro carries a reputation for delivering complexity, perfect for a rainy night like this one. The 601 Black Toro (2021) isn’t the easiest cigar to find. It’s not a limited edition, but it’s not mass-produced either. Your best bet is to check online retailers or specialty cigar shops.

While savoring this cigar, here’s a book to elevate the moment.

The Experience: From Start to Finish

First Look: Pre-Light Impressions

As the rain pounds the roof, I inspect the 601 Black Toro (2021), a 6-inch, 50-ring-gauge toro that feels solid in hand, like a warm mug on a stormy night. Its Ecuador Connecticut wrapper, a creamy tan with fine veins, looks inviting, while the construction—firm roll, clean cap, tight seams—shows La Zona’s care. The aroma blends nutty almonds, earthy cedar, and a hint of vanilla, and the cold draw, smooth and easy, offers dark chocolate, white pepper, and a touch of cinnamon, promising a cozy smoke.

With the storm raging, I light it up to see if it brings some calm.

Foot to Cap: The Flavor Journey

The first third opens with a nutty, earthy core, like roasted almonds and fresh soil, paired with a creamy dark chocolate note that fills the porch with a warm, medium-bodied smoke. The burn’s a bit fussy at first, needing a quick touch-up, but the draw’s excellent, delivering dense smoke with a hint of white pepper and cedar, keeping things lively. It’s a comforting start.

In the middle third, the nuttiness softens, giving way to a richer cedar and cinnamon blend, while the medium body holds steady, and the retrohale adds a zesty white pepper and vanilla bean kick, brightening the rainy mood. The burn settles nicely, and the ash holds firm for an inch, while a faint roasted coffee note adds depth, making this phase feel smooth and reflective. It’s not perfect, but it’s got enough charm to keep me engaged.

The final third brings a stronger roasted coffee and dark chocolate presence, with cedar and a slight floral hint, wrapping up the 1-hour smoke with a medium, satisfying close, though the flavors feel a touch uneven. The burn stays steady, and the draw remains smooth, while a lingering vanilla bean note adds warmth, making the end feel like a soft fade against the storm’s rhythm. It’s a solid finish!

Build & Burn: The Craftsmanship

The 601 Black Toro’s construction is top-notch, its Ecuador Connecticut wrapper a smooth, creamy tan with subtle veins, feeling premium in hand. The roll is firm, the weight balanced, and the seams tight, showing La Zona’s skill, making it a pleasure to hold. It’s the kind of cigar you want, imperfections and all.

The burn starts uneven, needing an early touch-up, which is a bit frustrating for a $10 cigar, but it stabilizes nicely, with a solid ash holding for an inch and a cool smoke delivering flavors well. The draw’s excellent, with just the right resistance, producing thick, creamy smoke that carries the nutty, chocolatey profile, especially in the peppery retrohale, keeping the 1-hour session enjoyable. It’s a cigar that performs reliably after a shaky start.

Flavor Deep Dive: What’s Cooking

The 601 Black Toro starts with a nutty, earthy base, blending roasted almonds and cedar with creamy dark chocolate, creating a medium-bodied smoke that feels warm against the rain’s chill. The dense smoke carries a white pepper kick in the retrohale, with vanilla bean and cinnamon adding depth, keeping the profile lively but balanced. It’s a rich opener that sets a reflective tone.

Midway, the nuttiness fades, letting cedar and roasted coffee take over, while cinnamon and a floral hint add complexity, though the flavors shift smoothly but donrophy fully gel, feeling a bit disjointed. The final third brings stronger coffee and chocolate, with cedar and a faint vanilla bean finish, making for a satisfying, if uneven, close that’s still pretty chill.

Strength & Body: The Power Within

The 601 Black Toro’s medium strength delivers a gentle, steady buzz, with a slight ramp-up in the middle third that adds depth without overwhelming, even with the peppery retrohale’s zing. The nicotine’s present but subtle, making it a relaxing choice, keeping me grounded yet alert. It’s the kind of strength that feels like a soft hum, not a jolt.

The body’s medium, with creamy smoke carrying nutty, chocolatey, and cedar notes, though the uneven flavor shifts make it feel less cohesive, moving from rich to slightly scattered by the floral finish. The flavors are dense and engaging, with cinnamon and coffee adding warmth, but the profile’s not perfectly balanced, yet it’s still satisfying for the 1-hour smoke. It’s a cigar with character, even if it doesn’t always flow seamlessly.

Perfect Pairings: Elevate the Experience

A full-bodied bourbon complements the Toro’s chocolate and cedar notes, while a dark roast coffee enhances the roasted flavors, and a chai tea echoes the cinnamon, perfect for a rainy smoke. Try some dark chocolate-covered almonds or a cinnamon-spiced dessert. The creaminess of the almonds or the sweetness of the dessert would play well with the cigar’s creamy almond and cinnamon notes, adding depth to the experience.

Value: Worth the Price?

At $10 a stick, the 601 Black Toro (2021) offers decent value, with nutty, chocolatey, and cedar notes that deliver complexity, though the initial burn issue and uneven flavors keep it from being a standout deal. It’s a solid choice when you want a rich smoke without splurging, but the quirks make it better for occasional enjoyment. For the quality, it’s a worthwhile pick for most smokers.

Our Rating:

The 601 Black Toro (2021) earns a Pleasant, offering nutty, chocolatey, and cedar notes in a medium smoke, but an initial burn hiccup and uneven flavors hold it back. At $10, it’s a solid pick for enthusiasts who enjoy a complex, warm cigar with a bit of personality.

Final Thoughts

After an hour with the 601 Black Toro (2021), sitting on the porch as the rain hammers down, I’m left with a mix of warmth and mild frustration, like a good book with a few slow chapters. Its nutty, chocolatey, and cedar notes deliver a rich, medium-bodied smoke, but the early burn touch-up and slightly uneven flavors keep it from perfection, though the vanilla bean finish adds a cozy touch. For $10, it’s a solid companion, bringing enough depth to make the evening feel special, even if it’s not flawless.

It’s a cigar with soul, quirks and all.

Own the Smoke: Make It Yours

The 601 Black Toro (2021) suits seasoned smokers who enjoy a medium, complex cigar with nutty and earthy notes, though beginners might want an easier burn, best saved for calm moments. Its undisclosed production makes it a unique find for a quiet evening or reflective smoke, where its 1-hour burn can shine. Light it up, take your time, and let its warm flavors unfold, flaws and all.

Enjoy the smoke!

See you next time.