AshMap
Overview
There is a specific kind of silence that falls over a room when a cigar commands it. The Las Calaveras LC EL 2020 Torpedo doesn’t demand attention with brute force or a wall of pepper; it earns it through a quiet, architectural precision that feels increasingly rare in the limited-edition arena. This is the Eiroa family speaking in their native tongue—not the loud, boisterous dialect of trend-chasing blends, but the measured, deliberate cadence of tobacco that has been given time to develop a vocabulary. From the first visual inspection, the Colorado-hued Corojo wrapper is a promise of restraint; it is satiny yet toothy, a surface that suggests both elegance and a hint of untamed texture waiting to be deciphered.
The pre-light ritual sets the stage with a deceptive gentleness. The cold draw offers sweet cedar and a concentrated dried fruit note, like apricot left in the sun, but it is the floral whisper of the Corojo that hints at the complexity beneath the surface. Once lit, the opening third unfolds with a toasted bread character that is almost brioche-like in its richness, supported by raw almond and that unmistakable Honduran earthiness—a mineral, terroir-driven note that grounds the smoke in a sense of place. The retrohale introduces a mild white pepper tingle, a polite announcement of the journey ahead rather than a challenge. The creaminess of the mouthfeel is substantial, coating the palate and inviting a slow, contemplative pace.
As the ash holds its ground past the first inch, the blend shifts into its narrative middle chapter. The savory, slightly mineral quality of the Jalapa binder emerges as the backbone, asserting a structure that allows the richer flavors to build without collapsing into heaviness. Dark chocolate and espresso take the lead, but they are woven together with seasoned leather and a dried cherry sweetness that prevents the profile from turning austere. A light molasses undertow adds a counterpoint of sweetness to the savory core, creating a tension that is resolved beautifully as the smoke progresses. This is where the cigar reveals its true character: it is not a blend that gives everything away in the first act, but one that rewards patience with a steadily increasing sense of purpose.
The final third is a masterclass in controlled intensity. The strength ramps up to a firm medium-full, yet the profile deepens rather than sharpens. Roasted coffee and dark cocoa anchor the palate, while the Honduran earth note returns with a more pronounced presence, now laced with dried herbs and a building black pepper that remains refined at the retrohale. There is no bitterness, no harshness—just a long, warm finish that leaves a residual sweetness on the tongue, a final reminder of the balance that has defined the experience. The construction holds firm to the very end, a testament to the Raices Cubanas operation, delivering dense, cool smoke with a razor-sharp burn line. This is a cigar that finishes strong, not because it has to, but because it was built to.
Cigar Specifications
| Wrapper | Honduran Corojo — Colorado |
|---|---|
| Binder | Nicaraguan Jalapa |
| Filler | Nicaraguan and Honduran long-fillers, aged tobaccos from Jalapa and Jamastran valleys |
| Country of Origin | Danlí, Honduras — produced at the Raices Cubanas factory by Eiroa family |
| Vitola / Shape | Torpedo |
| Size | 6.5 x 52 |
| Strength | Medium-Full |
| Price | $14–$18 per cigar |
| Tier | Premium |
| Aging | Tobaccos aged a minimum of three years prior to rolling; limited annual release with additional post-production aging re |
Tasting Notes & Flavor Progression
First Third
The cold draw opens with sweet cedar, dried fruit, and a whisper of floral Corojo character. On the light, expect toasted bread, raw almond, and a distinctive Honduran earthiness layered beneath a creamy mouthfeel. A mild white pepper tingle emerges at the retrohale.
Second Third
The blend hits its stride with rich dark chocolate, espresso, and seasoned leather coming to the forefront. The Jalapa binder asserts itself with a savory, slightly mineral quality that provides excellent backbone. Dried cherry and a light molasses sweetness weave through the medium-full body as complexity builds steadily.
Final Third
The final third deepens into roasted coffee, dark cocoa, and a lingering Honduran earth note with hints of dried herbs and black pepper. The pepper intensifies slightly at the retrohale without becoming harsh, and the finish is long, warm, and satisfying with residual sweetness. Construction holds firm and the blend finishes strong — no bitterness or harshness despite the increased strength.
Construction, Burn & Draw
Construction is impeccable — the draw is firm but not restrictive, producing dense, cool smoke with excellent volume. The burn line is razor-sharp with a solid, charcoal-gray ash that holds well past an inch, a hallmark of the Eiroa operation at Raices Cubanas.
Pairing Recommendations
Spirit
Aged rum such as Ron Zacapa 23 or a wheated bourbon like Pappy Van Winkle 12-Year — the sweetness complements the Corojo wrapper's natural fruit character without overwhelming the blend's savory complexity.
Wine
A Ribera del Duero Tempranillo or a Châteauneuf-du-Pape — wines with dark fruit, earth, and leather notes that mirror and elevate the cigar's mid-palate profile.
Non-Alcoholic
A single-origin Colombian or Ethiopian pour-over coffee — medium roast to match the blend's balance of sweetness and roasted depth without competing bitterness.
Who Should Smoke This?
This is for the smoker who has moved past the need for novelty and finds themselves searching for a conversation partner rather than a spectacle. Picture a collector on a quiet Sunday evening, the house finally empty, with a specific leather armchair that has molded to their shape over the years. They have a shelf of well-aged rums and a library of cigars that have become old friends, but tonight they want something that requires their full attention. They are familiar with the Eiroa family’s work and appreciate the honesty of a blend that doesn’t hide behind a dark, oily wrapper or a barrage of strength. They want a 90-minute session that feels like a deliberate act of focus, where each third offers a new layer to unpack. This cigar is for the smoker who understands that the best experiences are not the loudest, but the ones that reveal their depth slowly, rewarding those who are willing to listen.
Bottom Line
The Las Calaveras LC EL 2020 Torpedo is a benchmark for Honduran expression, a precise and deeply satisfying blend that proves complexity doesn't require bombast. It is a must-smoke for anyone who values balance, terroir, and the quiet confidence of a masterfully constructed cigar.
Similar Cigars
Explore all Las Calaveras cigars.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Las Calaveras LC EL 2020 Torpedo a strong cigar?
It is rated Medium-Full (4/5). Physically, you will feel a satisfying nicotine presence that builds gradually through the second and final thirds, but it never becomes overwhelming or harsh. The strength is integrated into the flavor profile, providing a warming sensation rather than a sharp kick, making it a robust but manageable smoke for experienced palates.
What does Las Calaveras LC EL 2020 Torpedo taste like?
The flavor journey begins with sweet cedar, dried fruit, toasted bread, and raw almond. The second third introduces rich dark chocolate, espresso, seasoned leather, and a dried cherry sweetness. The final third deepens into roasted coffee, dark cocoa, and a lingering Honduran earthiness with hints of dried herbs and black pepper.
How long does Las Calaveras LC EL 2020 Torpedo take to smoke?
Given its Torpedo vitola and 6.5 x 52 dimensions, you should allocate approximately 90 minutes for a deliberate, unhurried session. The dense, cool smoke and firm draw encourage a slow pace, and rushing it would compromise the experience.
What is the best pairing for Las Calaveras LC EL 2020 Torpedo?
An aged rum like Ron Zacapa 23 is an excellent choice, as its inherent sweetness complements the Corojo wrapper's natural fruit character without overwhelming the blend's savory complexity. Alternatively, a wheated bourbon like Pappy Van Winkle 12-Year offers a softer, sweeter counterpoint that aligns beautifully with the cigar's molasses and dried cherry notes.
Is Las Calaveras LC EL 2020 Torpedo good for beginners?
No, this is not a beginner's cigar. With a Medium-Full strength profile and a price point of $14–$18 per cigar, it is an investment that requires a developed palate to fully appreciate the subtle transitions between thirds. A novice would likely find the intensity challenging and miss the nuanced interplay of flavors that makes this blend special.
Where can I buy Las Calaveras LC EL 2020 Torpedo?
As a strictly controlled limited annual release, it is not available at every retailer. Your best bet is to check with premium brick-and-mortar tobacconists that specialize in hard-to-find items, or reputable online retailers that have an allocation. Given its age, you may need to search secondary markets or specialty auction sites to find the 2020 vintage specifically.
What is the price of Las Calaveras LC EL 2020 Torpedo?
The expected retail price is between $14 and $18 per cigar. However, due to its status as a limited annual release and the time that has passed since the 2020 vintage, you may find that market prices have appreciated from that original MSRP.
Is Las Calaveras LC EL 2020 Torpedo worth aging?
Yes, absolutely. The tobaccos were already aged a minimum of three years prior to rolling, meaning they are entering their prime. The Honduran Corojo wrapper and the blend's inherent balance will benefit from further rest. Additional aging will likely soften the white pepper notes, allowing the sweeter cedar and dried fruit characteristics to integrate even more deeply with the earthy core, creating a more seamless and refined smoke.
What wrapper does Las Calaveras LC EL 2020 Torpedo use?
It uses a Honduran Corojo wrapper in a Colorado shade. This wrapper is a key contributor to the cigar's identity, providing a medium-dark reddish-brown appearance and a flavor profile that offers a distinctive floral sweetness, a touch of natural fruit, and a subtle toothy texture that is a hallmark of the leaf.
Where is Las Calaveras LC EL 2020 Torpedo made?
It is made in Danlí, Honduras, at the Raices Cubanas factory, which is operated by the Eiroa family. This is a significant detail, as the Eiroa family is renowned for their mastery of Honduran tobacco, and this factory is where they execute their precise construction standards, ensuring the impeccable burn and draw that this cigar is known for.