Leaf By Oscar 10 Anniversario Criollo Toro
Wrapper: Honduran (Florida Jamastran)
Binder: Honduran
Filler: Honduran
This week I am reviewing the leaf by Oscar 10 Anniversario Criollo in the Toro size. This cigar was made to commemorate 10 years of this brand.
The brand was originally created by Island Jim Robinson and Oscar Valladeras to be a house brand for Island Jim’s Store, Leaf and Bean in Pittsburgh PA and quickly gained a national following due to the unique packaging (The cigar is wrapped in a tobacco leaf) but also because it is an affordable cigar. The band on this cigar is made out of plantain leaves which have been processed by local artisans in Honduras into reusable paper. This cigar is a Honduran puro with a wrapper from Oscar Valladares’ Jamastran tobacco farm. Now that we all know the background let’s dig in and see how this cigar is!
This cigar started off with a sweet nutty note which reminded me of roasted peanuts. I also got some background notes of earth and baking spices and red pepper. This cigar also produces some notes that remind me of smoked cedar and gives off a nice barbeque smokiness. This cigar isn’t a very strong cigar just like the rest of the leaf by Oscar line, however it is flavorful although it isn’t the most complex cigar in the world it does keep your attention.
At around the halfway mark I did start to get some strong black pepper notes which added to more enjoyment of this smoke. After a few minutes the intensity died down and went back to a smooth smoke. The flavors got a little less smokey but also got a little more earthy the more I smoked it. As the cigar ended it burned kind of hot to the touch. So much so that I burned my finger and dropped the cigar!
Overall the experience was good and if you like Honduran cigars especially Leaf By Oscar then definitely come in and check this out for yourself. Ask about the Leaf By Oscar 10 Anniversario Criollo, you’ll be glad you tried it!
Check out next week’s Shirtless Mike’s cigar of the week!