Toscano

[jimmy_g32]

Has anyone tried these, relatively inexpensive, Italian cigars? I was wondering what general opinion was. Having sampled one or two I would say they are VERY strong, and not particularly refined, but they have something going for them.

[Olls]

I can't help you but I would be interested to know too.

They are actually one of the reasons that I became curious about cigars in the first place - I was in Rome last year and there were quite a few shops with rather attractive displays of them in the window and I saw several dapper-looking gents wandering around smoking them.

I too have heard that they're pretty strong, and a bit rough. I also read that they traditionally come closed at both ends so you can cut it down the middle and share it with someone, which is nice (no guarantees this is right, though).

[TJCoro]

A Picture Would Be Nice!

Has anyone tried these, relatively inexpensive, Italian cigars?

Please post a pic (picture), lil' jimmy.

TJ

[MaledettoToscano]

These are the first cigars I smoked, probably the reason why it took me a while to try my second cigar . One of Italy's best sport writers once called them the blue cheese of cigars, which I think is pretty fitting.

Toscano, is the most popular brand of cigars in Italy and they have something like 80% of the Italian market. They produce quite a large range of cigars (around 20 or so) including limited edition hand rolled ones, part hand/part machine made ones, machine made and flavoured.

What they all share in common is the tobacco type and shape.

The tobacco is Italian produced fire cured Kentucky type tobacco, although some of the hand made ones have a US wrapper. Colour tends to be Maduro.

Since the cigars are not pressed their shape is tapered at both ends (both ends are cut). They can be cut in the middle to give so called Toscanelli or Mezzo Toscano. The shape, especially in the hand made ones can be irregular and to get an idea this web-page (in Italian) has quite a few pics:

http://www.tabaccheria21.net/sigari_toscani_file/fam_toscani.htm

The price can very quite a bit, and some of the hand made ones like "il Moro", sold as single in a wooden box, ca be quite expensive (35 Euros, mostly a collector's item).

The hand made ones are:

Il Moro
Originale Millenium
Originale Selected
Originale
Del Presidete

Originale is the cheapest (5.30 Euros for 2) and it is a good starting point to get a general idea of the type of cigar

Of the machine or part machine (hand selected whole leaf filler but machine wrapped) made ones these might be worth a try:

Antica Riserva and Garibaldi (the mildest of the bunch, but the first is still quite powerful to my taste), Antico Toscano and the plain Toscano. All these and the hand-made ones, are aged before going on sale (6 to 12 months)

Hope it's not too much information!

[cj121]

Very informative and interesting read there Alberto.

The site linked was funky and I like the look of Il Morro as a prospective purchase. No prices it seems though.

Thanks for taking time over the post

[MaledettoToscano]

There is a price list on the site, a bit hidden if you don't speak Italian but it is here:

http://www.tabaccheria21.net/Prezzotoscani.htm

for some unfathomable reason the list also gives the price per kilogram .

[jimmy_g32]

Thanks, Alberto! Huge amount of information there. I shall probably wait until I get to Italy next before I buy some more of the range! The Toscanelli are what lured me into them: lots of the locals in Florence were enjoying them with espressos last summer!

[cj121]

There is a price list on the site, a bit hidden if you don't speak Italian but it is here:

http://www.tabaccheria21.net/Prezzotoscani.htm

for some unfathomable reason the list also gives the price per kilogram .

Thanks Alberto.
I guess the kg prices are for the serious smokers out there

[Zippo]

Have smoked couple of boxes Anticos.
Love those small ugly bastards.
They are hard as rocks with an distinctive "funny" taste of liquorice.
Very good for fast moments thou.

Got my father in law to buy those when on vacation in Mallorca (it was for some reason cheaper there than Italy)

/Zippo

[eggopp]

I tried them in Rome a few years ago, didnt like them, rock hard they were, like pencils

[HabanoSy]

Must admit, I would like to try some of these...

Cheers, HabanoSy

[jdawg]

interesting read, Alberto!

here I thought, Italianos only made fast cars and smoking hot chics...

[Lionhound]

Tried some of the cheaper ones, toscanelli type while in Italy for quick daytime smokes. Strange shaped things, narrow at one end, wide at the other. Tried a few different of what I assume were low level brands. Some downright awful but others rather promising specially with a good espresso.
M. Toscano has rekindled my interest so will have to try to get hold of some of the handmade jobs.

[Zippo]

Have smoked couple of boxes Anticos.
Love those small ugly bastards.
They are hard as rocks with an distinctive "funny" taste of liquorice.
Very good for fast moments thou.

Got my father in law to buy those when on vacation in Mallorca (it was for some reason cheaper there than Italy)

/Zippo

Updated my profile with an avatar.
Guess whats in my mouth
I have heard some stories that it was just Anticos that was the prefered smoke Clint Eastwood had in his mouth in all the "Spaghetti Westerns" he was acting in.

/Zippo

[tippexx]

CGars sell some of the Toscano range.

http://www.cgarsltd.co.uk/rest-world-cigars-toscano-cigars-made-italy-c-317_102_379_133.html