Cigar Review: Camacho Ecuador Toro
Camacho Cigars’ latest release, Camacho Ecuador, adds another layer of impressive depth to the company’s take no prisoners badass cigar portfolio. The cigar is an impeccably executed blend consisting of an Ecuadorian Habano wrapper, grown in the nitrogen rich soil of Ecuador, a rich binder of Brazilian Mata Fina, and a trifecta filler blend composed of Corojo, Criollo Ligero and Pelo de Oro tobaccos.
Pre-Light: The Camacho Ecuador lets me know right away that it is one rustic smoke. The cigar is expertly constructed with no signs of defects. The Ecuadorian Habano wrapper has a toothy feel giving the cigar a rough and tough appeal while the large blue band gives the cigar just the right touch of finesse. The pre-light draw test consists of a perfect draw and notes full of spice, earth and a light floral finish. While the cigar is medium to full bodied, based on the pre-light notes, the cigar will have a remarkably complex profile.
1/3: Camacho Ecuador opens the only way a Camacho cigar can, with lots and lots of attention grabbing spice. Once the cigar has my undivided focus, the spice aspect is quickly accompanied by a rush of floral and rich tobacco flavor. Filling the room with cedar smoke, Camacho Ecuador continues to settle into its profile with the addition of a delicate nutty note. The retrohale of the cigar is predominately a zesty spice note with a cedar finish.The burn, which was slightly uneven, quickly corrects itself to razor sharp precision by the time I get into the second third of the cigar.
2/3: Camacho Ecuador throws me into the second third of its robust flavor odyssey by yielding two new notes. The overall spice element of the cigar gradually falls into the background while a note of semi sweet cocoa appears. This simultaneous contracting and expanding of notes gives the Camacho Ecuador a sort of diaphanous property. On one hand, the cigar seems like it could turn into a full bodied stick at any moment; while also appearing like it could remain a complex medium bodied cigar. Whichever path the cigar takes, it is sure to be enjoyable.
3/3: The end of the Camacho Ecuador dispels any questions about the cigar’s profile. The cigar remains medium to full bodied in strength with the same profile I experienced in the second third. Overall, the Camacho Ecuador is an excellent release from the company, which has undergone some major revamping since 2013. The cigar is successful in living up to the company’s bold flavor expectations without becoming too overwhelming. The cigar is an excellent choice for anyone who is a fan of the Camacho portfolio as well as medium to full bodied smokers. The Camacho Ecuador is available in three sizes, Robusto, Toro and Gordo, in boxes of twenty online at emersonscigars.com as well as at your favorite Hampton Roads Emerson’s Cigars location.
