American Legion Toro Review
It’s one thing to simply buy a cigar for yourself; it’s another thing to buy a cigar for yourself and for a veteran too. Introducing the American Legion line, produced by the Blanco Cigar Company. Produced in the Estelí region of Nicaragua, this line of cigars bears the crest of the organization of the same name. The American Legion was founded in 1919 by veterans of the American Expeditionary Forces after the end of the First World War, an instrument of assistance to American Military Veterans. As such, proceeds from these cigars go to the Legion. The proceeds go to a great cause, but do you, the smoker, get your money’s worth? That’s the question we are here to answer.
Form and Substance
- Vitola: Toro
- Wrapper: Nicaraguan Habano Rosado
- Binder: Honduran
- Filler: Nicaraguan Long Leaf
- Dimensions: 6’ x 52”
- Country of Origin: Nicaragua, Estelí Region
Aesthetics, Construction and Feel
The American Legion is a handsome stick. Its construction is reminiscent of the battle-hardened men the Legion itself seeks to serve; it’s a tad rough on the exterior (the stems are ragged and the seams are prominent), but a closer look reveals that the stick is incredibly well put together, contrary to its initial appearance. The wrapper has a rugged leathery texture to it with a fresh leathery cold odor to match. There’s even a nice kick of spice on the foot to round it all up. The American Legions have been consistently good with their appearance; in terms of smoke quality, however, they haven’t displayed the same consistency, at least not in my own limited experience. Thus the greatest degree of scrutiny will be directed towards the smoke itself.
Smoke and Flavor
First Third: Ready, light, puff! An almost perfect draw greets me as I puff up storm clouds with each stroke. Right from the first of these satisfying puffs I experience a spicy sensation on the tongue in conjunction with an initially harsh and crude element of wood combined with charcoal. This is the primary element of the flavor profile throughout the first third. Though initially harsh, the charcoal and wood mature relatively quickly into a richer, more mature form, becoming much more enjoyable.
Second Third: As the first third is cleared and the second third begins, there emerges a potent undertone of sweet sugar in the background. The sugar gradually emerges from the background into the foreground and melds with the wood, the process completed by the second third’s end. The sugar’s spot in the background is then filled in by a cinnamon undertone. The draw, meanwhile, has itself developed to include a rich, oily texture that slightly diminishes the spice to just the right level of power, making every puff all the more pleasurable.
Final Third: The final third is dominated by the gradual emergence of a raisin-like note. It starts in the background, interacting and at one point even combining with the cinnamon, making for a deliciously complex background. The raisin then incrementally makes its way to the foreground, again melding with the charcoal and sweetened wood before eventually overtaking it as the dominant flavor right at the end. It should also be noted that the Legion consistently exudes a whitish/grey ash from the beginning to the end; it flakes slightly on occasion, but it holds for extended periods of time before dropping, and doesn’t bend at angles. This is a sign of improved craftsmanship from what I’ve seen from some of the previous incarnations!
The Final Verdict
The American Legion definitely earned its badge here; the flavor profile has greatly improved and so has the draw, while remaining consistent on aesthetic appeal. Perhaps the best part of it, however, is that there’s still room for improvement; the initial charcoal and wood was rather harsh, as was the initial spice. All in all, job well done to the Blanco Cigar Company; keep up the good smoke and never lose your ethic of improvement!
Final Grade: A-