Just as 2012 was coming to a close, Brad Mayo of Jameson Cigar Company quietly announced a new size for his La Resolución line, a 6 x 52 Toro.

The original La Resolución release was a 5 x 50 Robusto that was announced just before the 2012 IPCPR Convention and Trade Show, where it made its official debut. The name of the cigar traces its roots back to the mid 1800s and a fairly obscure marca that little is known about. The always helpful National Cigar Museum had a box label from the original release which provides pretty much everything known about the brand: that it was the creation of a man named J. Pablo Valdes of No. 109 Escobar Street in Havana, and that the tobacco comes from the Pinar del Río province of Cuba, which to this day still provides the country’s premier leaves.

At the time of my review of the Toro size, Mayo said he wasn’t sure if it would become a regular release, and was limiting it for sale to just the company’s headquarters in Huntington, W. Va. He picked the size because “the blend performs well in that vitola and it happens to be a popular size for us.”

In my original review of the Jameson La Resolución Toro, I said that:

I’m not quite sure what is playing more of a role in the slight differences between the original Jameson La Resolución Robusto and this new Toro vitola: the additional rest that the tobacco has gotten, the slightly bigger vitola, or just me being in a different time, place and mindset from when I smoked the Robusto. Whatever it is, the result is a slightly toned down yet seemingly more well-rounded cigar. The flavor intensity has certainly been dialed down from what I remember of the Robusto, which is a bit of a disappointment, but so have the few rough spots that had me using words like bristly and cough-inducing. The La Resolución Toro seems to be better developed and refined than its predecessor, and makes me wish I still had one of the Robustos laying around to fire up to see how it has evolved. At this point it would seem to be a matter of size preference, because I have a hard time thinking you’d go wrong with whichever one you pick.

By all accounts the cigar remains in a state of limbo, as Mayo has not formally announced that is has shifted into production or has been formally released to retailers.

  • Cigar Reviewed: Jameson La Resolución Toro (Prerelease)
  • Country of Origin: Dominican Republic
  • Factory: La Tradicion Cubana
  • Wrapper: Dominican Republic
  • Binder: Dominican Republic Habano
  • Filler: American Broadleaf, Dominican Republic & Nicaragua
  • Size: 6 Inches
  • Ring Gauge: 52
  • Vitola: Toro
  • Estimated MSRP: $8.00
  • Date Released: n/a 
  • Number of Cigars Released: n/a
  • Number of Cigars Smoked For Redux: 1

The wrapper on the Jameson La Resolución Toro is a bit darker than I remember it, though that could just be faulty memory on my part. There are a few small veins and a bit of variation in the color of the leaf, though nothing out of the ordinary. What does catch the eye are a few little things about the Jameson La Resolución Toro that aren’t quite perfect: the cap is a bit uneven, there’s some stray goma on the cap, and the band isn’t perfectly aligned. None of them are deal breakers and none will affect the quality of the cigar, though it is a reminder of how many times you see things done perfectly, and often take those things for granted. The pre-light aroma is very enjoyable, with notes of sweet tea – call it green tea or black, both would be fitting – a touch of sweet cedar and no spice in the nose. The cold draw is just a touch on the firm side and has a bit more of the sweet cedar note, though it’s a touch heavier here and not as bright as it was coming off the foot. There is a bit more give in the first half of the cigar than there is in the second half, and it feels particularly firm just below the band.

 

There’s a good amount of flavor right out of the gate, and it has more pepper than you’d assume based off the cold draw and pre-light aroma. It’s certainly not overpowering, but it is there, wrapped in notes of damp wood and a chalky note that comes along shortly after. The nose gets a bit of white pepper after the first inch of ash breaks off, with the burn line sharp and the smoke production very good. There isn’t a lot of pepper to be found on the palate, with just the slightest tingle felt through the first third of the cigar. That’s not a bad thing, mind you, and if anything, makes me think this cigar would be a fairly versatile option throughout the day. Crossing the midway point, it seems the pepper is starting to pick up a bit and become more of a player in the cigar’s profile.

Jameson La Resolución Toro

Much like I found in the Jameson La Resolución Toro when I first smoked it, there’s a bit of what I hesitate to describe as Cuban twang that comes out in the smoke just past the midpoint. It is definitely unique and distinctive, with notes of sweetness, barnyard, red chili pepper flakes and an almost floral aromatic finish. The body of the cigar continues to build steadily in the second third, adding more in overall heft than in any particular flavor. The smoke seems to thicken up just a touch and is particularly noticeable in the retrohale, where it seems to not just fill the nostrils, but push on them on its way out. A touch of vanilla bean has found its way into the mix, joining with the wood and the pinch of pepper to create a fantastic finishing sequence.

89 Overall Score

While the Jameson La Resolución Toro might not be the most complex cigar in the world, it has shown itself to be very well balanced and flavorful enough to be engaging without being overpowering. While I don't know how much the cigar has gained or lost from sitting in my humidor for nine months or so, what I can say is that my appreciation of how well crafted it is has gone up immensely. The La Resolución line – whether it be in the Robusto or Toro vitola – is one I would be happy to always have in my humidor, as it has shown itself to be a consistent, reliable, go-to cigar that feels right at nearly every time of day or opportunity for a cigar.

Original Score (January 2013)
88
Redux Score (October 2013)
89
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Patrick Lagreid

I strive to capture the essence of a cigar and the people behind them in my work – every cigar you light up is the culmination of the work of countless people and often represents generations of struggle and stories. For me, it’s about so much more than the cigar – it’s about the story behind it, the experience of enjoying the work of artisans and the way that a good cigar can bring people together. In addition to my work with halfwheel, I’m the public address announcer for the Colorado Rockies and Arizona Diamondbacks during spring training, as well as for the Salt River Rafters of the Arizona Fall League, the WNBA's Phoenix Mercury and previously the Arizona Rattlers of the Indoor Football League. I also work in a number of roles for MLB.com, plus I'm a voice over artist. Prior to joining halfwheel, I covered the Phoenix and national cigar scene for Examiner.com, and was an editor for Cigar Snob magazine.