MBombay Classic Torpedo

Early last month, MBombay Cigars began shipping the newest vitola in its Classic line, the 6 x 50 Torpedo. However, the seemingly routine release had a twist: the new size is only available in a five-count sampler that includes one cigar in each of the five blends the company produces.

As with the rest of the Classic line, the new Torpedo incorporates an Ecuadorian habano wrapper covering an Ecuadorian binder as well as fillers hailing from the Dominican Republic, Nicaragua and Peru. However, unlike the rest of the vitolas, MBombay says the new size was aged for 14 months before being released.

There are five different cigars in the new MBombay sampler:

• MBombay Mōra Toro
• MBombay Habano Robusto
• MBombay Corojo Oscuro Robusto
• Gaaja Toro
• MBombay Classic Torpedo

The sampler is priced at $45 and according to MBombay owner Mel Shah,  only 8,500 samplers were produced. In addition, Shah told halfwheel that there are no plans to release the Classic Torpedo in boxes.

There are now six vitolas in the Classic line:

• MBombay Classic Belicoso (5 x 52)
• MBombay Classic Churchill (7 x 48)
• MBombay Classic Corona (5 x 43)
• MBombay Classic Perfecto (6 x 50)
• MBombay Classic Robusto (4 1/2 x 48)
• MBombay Classic Torpedo (6 x 52)

• Cigar Reviewed: MBombay Classic Torpedo
• Country of Origin: Costa Rica
• Factory: Tabacos de Costa Rica
• Wrapper: Ecuador (Habano)
• Binder: Ecuador
• Filler: Dominican Republic, Nicaragua & Peru
• Length: 6 Inches
• Ring Gauge: 52
• Vitola: Torpedo
• MSRP: $11.95 (Boxes of 5, $45)
• Release Date: Jan. 8, 2018
• Number of Cigars Released: 8,500 Samplers of 1 Cigar (8,500 Total Cigars)
• Number of Cigars Smoked For Review: 3

The MBombay Classic Torpedo is covered in an extremely attractive golden brown wrapper that is silky smooth to the touch and layered wth oil. There are a number of veins visible, but none of them are overly distracting and the covered foot is a very nice touch. Aroma from the wrapper is a combination of hay, earth, peanuts, cocoa powder, coffee beans and vanilla, while the cold draw brings flavors of creamy cedar, nougat sweetness, white paper and a touch of spice on my tongue.

The first few puffs of the MBombay Classic Torpedo feature an incredibly sweet molasses note due to the fact that I am smoking only wrapper from the covered foot, but that quickly morphs into a combination of leather and dark chocolate as the burn line hits the filler. Following close behind are notes of licorice, hay, creamy oak, salt, earth and almonds. There is some significant spice on my tongue that begins to recede as the first third burns down, along with some lemon citrus and white pepper on the retrohale, both of which seem to be gaining strength. Construction-wise, the draw is excellent after a dickman cut and the burn is close to razor sharp so far, while the smoke production is massive off of the foot. The strength is almost non existent so far, ending the first third closer to the mild mark than medium.

There are some major changes in the profile of the MBombay Classic Torpedo during the second third, including the sweetness shifting from molasses to more of a rich nougat note that is carried over from the cold draw. Dark chocolate has taken over the dominant flavor along with other flavors of creamy oak, hay, leather, espresso beans, barnyard and graham crackers. The lemon citrus from the first third has gotten stronger as well, while the spice that was present is long gone by the halfway point. Both the draw and burn continue to impress and although the strength fails to hit the medium point by the end of the second third, it does increase noticeably from where it was at the end of the first third.

The nougat sweetness begins to die down a bit in the final third of the MBombay Classic Torpedo, although it is still easily strong enough to impact the profile in a positive way. In addition, the dominant flavor in the profile shifts from dark chocolate to freshly roasted espresso beans, followed by notes of hay, creamy oak, wheat, leather, earth and a touch of salt. There is still plenty of lemon citrus and white pepper on the retrohale, although both are not as strong as the second third. In terms of construction, both the burn and the draw remain excellent and the smoke production continues to be copious off of the foot, while the strength comes close to the medium mark by the time I put the nub down with a little less than an inch to go.

Final Notes:

• The MBombay Classic Torpedo would carry an MSRP of $11.95 if it was sold individually.
• This particular vitola was given out to attendees of last year’s Big Smoke Las Vegas as part of the evening sessions before it was shipped to retailers.
• Two of the three samples I smoked for this review were featured a profile that was noticeably creamier as well as significantly sweeter overall, leading to a much more enjoyable smoke. That is not to say that the last sample was horrible by any means, it just was not on the same level in terms of complexity.
• If you are looking for overt strength in your cigars, this is not the release for you, as it barely hit a point just below medium to my tastes.
• The cigars smoked for this review were sent by MBombay, who has advertised with halfwheel in the past.
• The final smoking time for all three samples averaged one hour and 49 minutes.