Jaromirski & Co. Sublimes Torpedo

So, you guys should all be familiar with Jeff by now. He’s our honorary Casas Fumando writer, and he kicked out tons of great reviews. If he keeps this up we are going to force him to join us full time. Until then, enjoy his newest “Guest” review.

-Tony

Back in April of this year, I reviewed the Sublimes Robusto Extra by Jaromirski & Co., and was very impressed with its quality construction, flavors, and value (you can link to that review here for background on the Sublimes brand).  At that time, the Sublimes only came in parejo shaped vitolas, but knowing that a torpedo was to be released at this year’s IPCPR trade show, I was anxious to see what a figurado would bring to the line.  The torpedo is 6 ½ x 55 in size, and as far as I can tell, is the same blend, perhaps with a bit of tweaking of proportions to accommodate the new size and shape, and is priced at $9.50 each in boxes of 30.  Like the original sizes, it is made at A.J. Fernandez’ Tabacalera Fernandez factory in Esteli, Nicaragua.

The basics:

Wrapper:  Ecuadorian Habano Rosado Oscuro
Binder:   Honduran Corojo
Filler:  Nicaraguan Criollo
Size:  Torpedo 6 ½ x 55
Price:  $9.50
Smoking time:  One hour, forty-five minutes
Pairing:  Reuben’s Brews Robust Porter (ABV 5.9%)

Pre-light:

Much like the Robusto Extra I reviewed, the Sublimes Torpedo is draped in a gorgeous reddish brown leaf with darker spots throughout.  There are a few small to medium sized veins and a nice oily sheen to it.  This hefty stick is firmly packed, leading to a sharply pointed and nicely finished cap, and bears the same simple yet elegant white and gold band that adorns the other sizes in the line.  The wrapper scent is not very strong, but does give up an aroma of earth and slight barnyard, while the foot emits rich tobacco and cedar.  The cap clips easily and produces an easy draw.  Light earth, wood, and spice notes show on the cold draw.

First third 

The Sublimes Torpedo opens with a smooth mouthful of slightly musty, earthy tobacco, a sweet, almost floral spice, and a bit of oak, while some leather shows in the retrohale.  The burn has gone off at a slant, but a tap of the ash and a quick correction has it back on track.  The flavors have deepened with the wood becoming a dark and very slightly charred cedar, and the earthiness is coming on stronger.  Pepper begins to emerge on the back end and on the retrohale.  Near the end of this third, the spice has become more of a fruity, citrusy note.

Middle third:

After the second ash tapped off at nearly 1 ½”, the Sublimes Torpedo has entered its midsection with an emergence of black coffee, with a touch of muskiness joining in.  A little past the halfway point, the cigar suddenly drops the charred notes, bringing back a nice smoothness to the experience.

Final third:

As the Sublimes Torpedo moves into the final third, I am continuing to enjoy that citrusy hit that seems to bring everything else into focus.  The merging of coffee, earth, and wood, along with glimpses of musk and spice, drive things along nicely.  After a sudden and brief drop-off in flavor intensity, the cigar picks back up and finishes with an uptick in brightness and pepper.   The Sublimes Torpedo goes down to the last inch, smoking cool, though with a rather soft and squishy feel to the nub, finishing nearly medium-full in body and with medium to medium-plus strength.

Overview:

After smoking the Sublimes in this torpedo size and referring back to what I experienced when I reviewed the Robusto Extra, I can say that there is a difference between them.  While many of the same flavors appeared in both, the Torpedo was bolder in both body and especially strength, and lacked the noticeable bread notes that I picked up in the straight vitola, while bumping up the citrus.  Aside from a couple of minor touch-ups, it burned well, displayed excellent construction, and had a nice amount of complexity to it, making for a very enjoyable smoking experience.  It’s a great addition to the existing line of Sublimes cigars.  The price is reasonable, if a bit on the high side for me for it to be a regular indulgence, but I won’t have any reservations about picking up more in the future and very much recommend checking it out.

Pairing:

Reuben’s Brews is a Seattle craft brewery situated a short distance away from where I live.  Although I rather shamefully admit that I haven’t yet made my way to the brewery and taproom itself, I have had a number of their offerings, and knew that their Robust Porter would be a good match for the Sublimes Torpedo.  With a medium body, roasty malt flavors, and a typical Northwest hop hit, it went very well with the cigar, helping to carry the darker notes, while bringing out more of the inherent sweetness and citrus notes in the stick, and the relatively average ABV was appreciated as the cigar gained in strength.

– Jeff Oda