AshMap
Overview
There is a moment, about halfway through the Las Calaveras LC EL 2023 Toro, when the smoke turns from a conversation into a monologue. It happens without warning, as the initial blast of dark roast coffee and cocoa powder begins to recede, and something deeper—a stewed dark plum sweetness, a toasted almond kernel—pushes forward. This is the signature of Emilio Reyes's annual limited release: a blend that doesn't just burn, but unfolds, revealing its architecture in layers rather than a single flat chord. The Honduran Corojo wrapper, a medium-dark Colorado leaf with a fine tooth and a light oil sheen, is the first voice you hear. It speaks in a language of barnyard earth and cedar, a rustic, almost leathery tone that grounds the entire experience in terroir. But it is the way that voice modulates—from a commanding baritone in the opening draws to a softer, more contemplative register by the midpoint—that separates this from a mere strength play.
The pre-light draw offers a hint of what's to come: a sweet, raisined tobacco note with a whisper of red pepper on the lips. Once lit, the first third is a study in controlled power. The retrohale delivers that signature red pepper sting, but it's a warm, inviting heat, not a sharp burn. Beneath it, the coffee and cocoa are dense, almost chewy, supported by a structural cedar note that keeps the profile from becoming cloying. By the second third, the blend shifts its weight. The dark chocolate dissolves into a fruit-forward complexity—dark plum and raisin—while the pepper settles into a black pepper warmth that coats the back of the throat. A creamy texture emerges on the palate, softening the earthiness and allowing the toasted almond nuttiness to shine. This is the cigar's most elegant passage, a moment of balance where the Honduran and Nicaraguan fillers seem to be in perfect dialogue.
The final third is where the LC EL 2023 makes its case for greatness. It doesn't just intensify; it clarifies. The espresso and bittersweet chocolate return with a molasses sweetness that edges toward anise, and the pepper returns on the retrohale with renewed purpose. The finish lengthens into a satisfying, lingering warmth. Construction is flawless—a slightly firm draw that produces dense, cool smoke, a razor-sharp burn line, and ash that holds in tight, charcoal-gray columns. This is a cigar that demands a 90-minute commitment, not because it is long, but because it requires your full attention. It is a contemplative after-dinner smoke, a celebratory ritual for those who understand that the best cigars are not consumed, but experienced. In a market flooded with Nicaraguan-forward blends, this Honduran-led expression is a quiet rebellion, a reminder that Emilio Reyes's command of his home country's tobacco remains one of the industry's most undervalued assets.
Cigar Specifications
| Wrapper | Honduran Corojo — Colorado |
|---|---|
| Binder | Honduran |
| Filler | Nicaraguan and Honduran long-fillers, aged tobaccos blended by Emilio Reyes at Raíces Cubanas |
| Country of Origin | Danlí, Honduras |
| Vitola / Shape | Toro |
| Size | 6 x 52 |
| Strength | Medium-Full |
| Price | $15–$20 per cigar |
| Tier | Premium |
| Aging | Tobaccos are aged prior to rolling; limited edition annual release with rested inventory before shipping |
Tasting Notes & Flavor Progression
First Third
The initial draws deliver a robust wave of dark roasted coffee, rich cocoa powder, and a distinctive barnyard earthiness from the Honduran Corojo wrapper. A subtle red pepper spice develops on the retrohale, grounding the profile with a welcome complexity. Cedar and dried leather emerge as supporting notes, providing structure beneath the dominant richness.
Second Third
The midpoint transitions into deeper territory — dark chocolate gives way to stewed dried fruits, particularly raisin and dark plum, with a persistent nuttiness reminiscent of toasted almonds. The spice from the first third settles into a warm black pepper presence rather than heat. Creaminess begins to develop on the palate, softening the earthier undertones.
Final Third
The final third intensifies beautifully without turning harsh — espresso and bittersweet dark chocolate dominate, layered with a molasses sweetness and a hint of anise. The pepper returns on the retrohale and the finish lengthens considerably. Construction holds firm through to the nub, delivering a satisfying, full-flavored conclusion.
Construction, Burn & Draw
The draw is slightly firm but never restrictive — classic of Raíces Cubanas rolling — producing a dense, cool smoke with impressive volume. Burn line is even with minimal touch-ups required, and the ash holds in tight, charcoal-gray columns of an inch or more.
Pairing Recommendations
Spirit
Aged Honduran rum such as Ron Zacapa 23 or a high-rye bourbon like Bulleit 10-Year; the sweetness and oak complement the chocolate and dried fruit notes without overwhelming the earthy Honduran profile
Wine
A Spanish Monastrell (Jumilla) or a Malbec from Mendoza — inky, fruit-forward wines with enough tannin structure to meet the cigar's full body
Non-Alcoholic
A double espresso or cold brew concentrate — the roasted bitterness mirrors and amplifies the cigar's cocoa-driven core beautifully
Who Should Smoke This?
You are a smoker with at least a few hundred cigars behind you, someone who has chased the high-octane Nicaraguan pepper blends and now finds yourself craving something with a different kind of depth. It's a Thursday evening, and you've just finished a dinner that was good but not distracting. You pour a glass of Ron Zacapa 23, settle into a leather chair on your porch, and you want a cigar that will not shout at you, but will instead reward you for listening. You already enjoy the earthy complexity of a good Padrón or the refined spice of a Crowned Heads, but you're looking for something that feels both familiar and new. This Las Calaveras will give you that. It will start with a familiar richness, then pull you into a fruit-and-nut mid-section that feels like a discovery, and end with a bittersweet crescendo that leaves you staring at the nub in quiet appreciation. It is not a cigar for a party or a commute. It is a cigar for a conversation with yourself, and it will not let you down.
Bottom Line
The Las Calaveras LC EL 2023 Toro is a masterclass in Honduran blending, offering a sensory arc that moves from robust earth to elegant fruit and back again with seamless precision. It is a must-buy for any serious collector, and a cigar that will make you regret every box you passed on when the 2024 release comes around.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Is Las Calaveras LC EL 2023 Toro a strong cigar?
It is rated Medium-Full (4/5). Physically, this means you will feel a solid nicotine presence that builds gradually through the smoke, but it never becomes overwhelming or harsh. It is substantial enough to satisfy a seasoned smoker, but it won't knock you off your chair. The strength is well-integrated with the flavor profile, providing a warming sensation rather than a sharp buzz.
What does Las Calaveras LC EL 2023 Toro taste like?
The flavor progression is distinct. The first third features dark roasted coffee, rich cocoa powder, barnyard earthiness, and a red pepper spice on the retrohale. The second third transitions to stewed dark plum and raisin, toasted almonds, and a warm black pepper. The final third intensifies with espresso, bittersweet dark chocolate, molasses sweetness, and a hint of anise.
How long does Las Calaveras LC EL 2023 Toro take to smoke?
As a 6 x 52 Toro, you should plan for a 90-minute smoking session. The draw is slightly firm, which slows the burn rate and produces a dense, cool smoke. This is not a cigar to rush; it is designed for a deliberate, unhurried experience.
What is the best pairing for Las Calaveras LC EL 2023 Toro?
An aged Honduran rum like Ron Zacapa 23 is the ideal companion. The rum's inherent sweetness and oak notes mirror the cigar's chocolate and dried fruit character, while its body is substantial enough to stand up to the medium-full strength without overpowering the earthy Honduran profile. A high-rye bourbon like Bulleit 10-Year is a strong alternative.
Is Las Calaveras LC EL 2023 Toro good for beginners?
No, this is not a beginner's cigar. The Medium-Full strength and the density of flavors—earth, pepper, leather—can be challenging for a palate that is still learning to identify individual notes. Additionally, at $15–$20 per cigar, it is a premium investment that is better appreciated once you have a baseline of experience to understand what makes it exceptional.
Where can I buy Las Calaveras LC EL 2023 Toro?
As a limited annual release, your best bet is to check with premium brick-and-mortar tobacconists that specialize in hard-to-find brands. Online retailers like Neptune Cigars, Corona Cigar Co., or Small Batch Cigar often carry allocations of the Las Calaveras EL series, but due to restricted production, you may need to join waiting lists or act quickly upon release announcements.
What is the price of Las Calaveras LC EL 2023 Toro?
The MSRP is between $15 and $20 per cigar. However, given its status as a limited edition with restricted production, you may see prices creep higher at some retailers, especially as the year's allocation begins to sell out. At the original price point, it represents excellent value for the complexity offered.
Is Las Calaveras LC EL 2023 Toro worth aging?
Yes, but with a caveat. The tobaccos are already aged prior to rolling, and the cigars are rested before shipping, so they are quite approachable upon release. However, the Honduran Corojo wrapper and the blend's inherent structure suggest they will benefit from 1–3 years of additional humidor time. Aging will likely soften the red pepper bite, deepen the dried fruit sweetness, and allow the creamy texture in the second third to become more pronounced.
What wrapper does Las Calaveras LC EL 2023 Toro use?
It uses a Honduran Corojo wrapper in a Colorado shade. This leaf is a medium-dark reddish-brown with a fine tooth and light oil. It contributes a distinctive barnyard earthiness, cedar notes, and a subtle red pepper spice that is the cigar's signature opening flavor.
Where is Las Calaveras LC EL 2023 Toro made?
It is hand-rolled at the Raíces Cubanas factory in Danlí, Honduras, under the supervision of master blender Emilio Reyes. This is the same factory known for producing other highly regarded Honduran-forward blends, and Reyes's expertise with local tobacco is a defining characteristic of this release.