PCA Magazine Winter 2020

32 PCA The Magazine | WINTER 2020 PREMIUMCIGARS.ORG The American Toro 6 x 54 Wrapper: Florida Sun Grown, USA Binder : Connecticut Broadleaf, USA Filler: Connecticut Havana Seed; Pennsylvania, both USA Manufactured in Tampa, Florida MSRP: $18.50 each Smoking time: 1 hour, 15 minutes The Blend When tasked with writing a review of The American by J.C. Newman, this writer was faced with a new and unique set of challenges. Evaluating a cigar is a process of describing the cigar’s origin, components, appearance, aroma, construction and, most importantly, how it smokes. There is also, however, a subtext of how any particular cigar smokes when compared with others of its type, those which may have set the benchmark for how an all-Nicaraguan puro, for instance, stacks up against those which have established themselves in the retail arena. Therein lies the challenge when attempting to appraise The American: There’s nothing else like it on the market. Naturally any cigar can be judged on its own merits, but it helps to have a standard by which to judge. In this case we’re going to throw that concept out the window and dive right into describing J.C. Newman’s groundbreaking all- American puro. Appearance: This is a clean, good-looking cigar. The wrapper leaf is a Colorado claro, with a light reddish-brown color. There are a few prominent veins, but the seams are tight and barely noticeable. The head sports a triple seam cap, and the cigar feels firm without having any hard spots. Cold aroma and draw: There is an earthy aroma, with a slight, subtle sweetness. A punch cut goes deep into the firm head of the cigar, allowing for a free and easy draw. The cold draw offers up a damp earth taste. Upon lighting, the flavors are of earth and dried fruit. Burn: The open draw provides a free burn, but the cigar does not smoke hot or harsh. The char line is surprisingly even, requiring no touch- ups during the first third. Transitions: Into the middle third there is a distinct charred-meat-like flavor. That taste combined with the slight sweetness gives the impression of a roasted, or barbecue-like sensation. This is certainly a hearty smoke, with more than moderate strength. Burn Line: As the rate of burn speeds up, the burn line becomes somewhat wavy, although it still does not require any touch-up. T H E R E V I E W W