Carlos Toraño 'Brigade' Robusto. 5x52. Light brown wrap with some slightly darker shades. Good construction, nice lines, smoothed veins. Poor cut with an uneven fill at the crown. Good light. Draw was medium pre- and post-flame. Even burn across. Ash was clean and even, holding nearly two inches with ease.

First half taste was mild tobacco with some spice on the exhale. Notes of light wood, semi-bitter leaf. Second half was dry leaf, walnut, mild herb.

This is a good cigar, with a consistent taste and draw. Nice even burn and clean aftertaste round out this reliable smoke. Not outstanding but still quite good. Recommended.

From the company:

"Made with a premium quality Ecuador wrapper and rich Nicaraguan filler, the Brigade smokes likes a super premium blend at a value price. The flavor is complex, with good spice and aroma. The Brigade is a hearty smoke which can be enjoyed at all times and in all settings. This robust and dependable cigar will consistently deliver an enjoyable smoking experience."
[source: torano.com]

Carlos Toraño 'Loyal' Churchill. 7x47. Nice build with straight lines, some pronounced veins, and a mostly smooth surface. Wrap is cocoa with dark shades. Cut was poor but not a deal breaker. Light was good, roasted foot in just a few passes. Medium draw pre-light. Draw improved quickly after burn. Initial taste is peppery, spicy, nutty. Shortly after, the first half is woodsy, earthy, some spice on the back end. Exhale taste is mild nutty, mild herbal. Second half is more nutty, almond, wood. Medium body. Ash was clean, light gray, dropped promptly at an inch.

This is a good cigar that starts aggressive but soon becomes a mild almost creamy smoke that finishes with consistency to the band. Nice evening relaxation stick. Recommended.

From the company:

"For decades, the Toraño family has remained loyal to the philosophy of providing outstanding cigars at an affordable price. Loyal provides value, quality, consistency, and most importantly, an abundance of flavor. The Loyal blend features filler from Nicaragua and the Dominican Republic, combined with a Nicaraguan binder and dressed in an oily Ecuadorian Sumatra seed wrapper. Loyal is a solid, medium bodied smoke, that intrigues the palate with a spicy, peppery start and then transitions to a variety of rich flavors with notes of coffee and brown sugar."

I smoked this Toraño Loyal outside with some chocolate chai tea.