Cigar Review: La Musa Toro

Up for a quick review tonight is La Musa, distributed by Emilio Cigars, one of my all-time favorite boutique brand popular for the AF1, AF2, Suave, and more. I could go on and on about how enjoyable I find just about every cigar in the Emilio portfolio, but let’s get to the review, right?

Blend specifics

• Wrapper: Habano Rosado
• Binder: Nicaragua
• Filler: Nicaragua
• Size: Toro (6×50)

Construction & Appearance

First off, the Habano Rosado wrapper on this cigar is truly a beauty. Great oily sheen atop a dark brown, physically flawless wrapper. After cutting the cigar using my now preferred method (thumb-nail!), I give it a try pull — the draw is medium, with slight restriction, which incidentally often-times provides for the best smoke production.

Flavor & Smoke Characteristics

Lighting up the La Musa, I’m greeted with a deep, rich chocolate note that is somewhat similar to what I experienced on the AF blends, but with less sweetness and a bit more mustiness (a good thing). What strikes me most, however, is the physical texture of the smoke: so very smooth for a profile that also includes mild pepper and nuttiness.

As the cigar progresses into the second third, it picks up on strength and also offers a few more notes, including white pepper and some black pepper on the retrohale. And on and on into the final third, where the strength has picked up considerably and now the primary note is a heavy, fresh ground black pepper. Even up to the nub the cigar picks up more and more, which really proves a point about this cigar: it is not a boring cigar. That being said, smoke this with a drink or you’ll find your palate dried out by the end.

Conclusion

La Musa is a great cigar, and it is reflected in this review and the many high marks it has received across the cigar blogosphere. I highly recommend this cigar to anyone looking for a new experience that is both powerful and complex.

Final Grade: A