Oliva Toro

Oliva Toro is a cigar in the Toro format. In the cigar trade that name usually means a vitola of about 6 inches with a 50 ring gauge. Check the band or box for the exact dimensions. The listing doesn't give the wrapper, blend, strength or country of origin, so none of those are claimed here. A Toro of this size typically gives a smoke of 60 to 90 minutes at an unhurried pace. That is long enough for the flavors to shift from the opening third to the finish, but short of the commitment a larger format asks for. The wide ring gauge tends to keep the smoke cool and the burn even. Draw slowly, rest the cigar between puffs, and let it go out rather than smoking it down to the nub. Cigars are not served chilled or mixed, but storage affects how a Toro smokes. Keep it in a humidor at roughly 65 to 70 percent relative humidity, and give it a few days to settle after a move. Cut the cap with a straight guillotine or a punch, and light it with a butane lighter or cedar spill rather than a fuel-heavy flame. For pairing, medium-bodied cigars usually suit black coffee, aged rum, bourbon or a malty amber beer. Choose a drink that matches the cigar's strength once you've smoked the first inch. Serve spirits neat or over a single large cube in a rocks glass or snifter, and keep a glass of water nearby to reset your palate.