THE EDGE HABANO TORPEDO

SCORE

points

LENGTH

GAUGE

STRENGTH

Full

Tasting Note

If anyone brought "rustic chic" to the premium cigar world, it was Rocky Patel. When he first released The Edge in 2004, the concept was simple: a roughly hewn wooden box that held 100 unbanded cigars. And they retailed for only $5 each. It was offered in Corojo or Maduro, came in only two sizes and retailers had to purchase them in 100-count chests. Not that retailers had any trouble selling them. Edge was an instant commercial success, spawning new sizes, new varieties and even new packaging. According to Patel, there were too many other companies trying to copy the rustic presentation, and it was not only confusing customers but affecting business, so he affixed the cigars with an identifying footband.One of the newest iterations of this popular brand is The Edge Habano. It's the only Edge made entirely from Nicaraguan tobacco, and the blend comes together quite well in the Torpedo size, which is our No. 7 cigar of 2015.The Edge Habano comes in a chest that looks as though it's made of wood reclaimed from an old barn, and the cigar is reflective of the packaging. The countrified blend is spicy and woody, smacking of hickory and leather. Made with tobacco from three growing regions of Nicaragua—Estelí, Condega and Jalapa—the brand is named for the Cuban-seed wrapper. While it's no longer $5, it's still a great bargain, delivering a level of richness normally found in cigars twice the price.