The wrapper leaf of alternating Connecticut and Maduro puts forth an enticing barber-pole visual presentation, one offering the promise that attends both of those crowd-pleasing varietals. A few veins show, running the length of the cigar, but they are not obtrusive, and we need not dwell on them as long as they don’t affect the burn. A standard punch cut rendered an ideal draw and did not mar the double cap. I found the cold draw surprisingly pungent with cedar and aged tobacco notes—good signs, all.
I know others will disagree here, but I usually prefer to remove the band(s) on any cigar prior to light-up. The secondary band popped off immediately, but I had a time working the primary band off. It finally yielded when I partially tore it, but this did no harm to the wrapper leaf. I poured a generous tumbler of strong iced tea and was off on my first-ever Founders adventure.
Initial flavors remind me of unsweetened chocolate nibs. The retrohale is velvety and benign on the sinuses, it too conjuring a chocolatey aspect. Cedar and chocolate have always been two of my favorite flavor notes in a cigar, and 10 minutes in, I must say this Founders Signature Dual Wrap is delivering both of those flavors quite distinctly. Also, the smoke is ample, silken, and chewy.
The encouraging start continues on an agreeable arc. At 20 minutes in, I note that the burn line is ultra-straight and sharp—an especial bonus on a barber-pole. The ash is just over an inch now, with no flakiness, and the cigar is sailing along in the mild to medium range. Chocolate and cedar are now joined by a very gratifying nuttiness.
At 30 minutes, the ash is fully one and three-quarters inches of solid gray granite—square, perfectly formed and striking; but intuition tells me it’s time to lop it off into the ashtray if I wish to keep control. Doing so reveals a nice, round cherry. So far, this cigar has been a model of easy-going performance in every way. At the halfway point, it still shows no sign of malfunction or need for adjustment. There haven’t been any dramatic flavor transitions, but the baseline flavors this cigar has offered are rich and enjoyable, with a long, satisfying finish that actually features interesting notes of pecan pie.
At 58 minutes the ash dropped off onto the tabletop (only the second unburdening). I was able to rake it into the bowl more or less intact, an indication of solid construction. The Founders Signature Dual Wrap toro delivers an ash every bit as impressive as its fine, rich flavors. The sweet taste of aged cigar leaf, along with the amiable behavior and creamy aftertaste, all add up to a downright elegant smoke—especially considering the affordable asking price. To my palate, this cigar falls on the milder side of the spectrum in terms of both body and strength, but it is still nice to register deep, chocolatey tones in a cigar that doesn’t tax the taste buds. The balance here is marvelous. At 87 minutes the nub is growing warm to the touch, so I set the cigar down and continue to relish the caramelized aftertaste.
Heavy smokers might hanker for a stronger cigar after dinner, but for most of us the Founders Signature Dual Wrap toro can serve as an excellent go-to cigar for any occasion or hour of the day. It’s a great $10 stick, and I plan on smoking plenty more of them.
Founders Cigar Company Signature Dual Wrap Toro
- Size: 6 inches x 50 ring gauge
- Wrapper: Mexican San Andrés Maduro and Connecticut Dual Wrap
- Fillers: Piloto Cubano Seco, Piloto Cubano Ligero, Broadleaf Viso
- Binder: Dominican Olor
- Release date (current iteration): August 1, 2023
- Made at Tabacalera Las Lavas SRL, Santiago, Dominican Republic
- Available in 25-count boxes
- MSRP: $10 single, $250 box
- Smoking time: 1 hour, 27 minutes
– Photos and review by William C. Nelson. Samples were purchased from littleguycigarshop.com.
This story first appeared in PCA The Magazine, Volume 4, 2023. To receive a copy of this magazine, you must be a current member of PCA. Join or renew today at premiumcigars.org/membership.