Plasencia Reserva 1898 Toro Review – A Solid Budget Cigar with Surprises

I bought a box of Plasencia Reserva 1898 Robustos a couple of years back from Dubai Duty-Free. At around 400 dirhams for a box of 20 cigars, it was a solid deal. At the time, I had no idea I was buying one of the best bang-for-your-buck sticks I’d ever try. As I write this, I’ve just discovered it was discontinued by Plasencia in 2023. When I stumbled across a box of Toros last June, I snapped it up immediately, unaware it might be among the last boxes available in the region.

Appearance, Aroma & Texture

The Reserva 1898 Toro is well-made for its price point. It sports a dark brown, slightly veiny wrapper with a bit of tooth and a light oil sheen. The cigar is firm but has a nice springiness to it, no obvious soft spots or inconsistencies, which is a plus.

On the nose, I initially got barnyard on the first whiff, which was quickly replaced with a thick, sweet cocoa. After a V-cut, the cold draw delivered straight nutty notes with a sweet undertone, followed by a dried fruit aftertaste.

Initial Light

Right off the bat, the first few puffs gave me familiar notes of smooth earth and a hint of leather. Then that black pepper started to build up on my palate, giving me a longer finish than I expected.

The strength and body were a solid medium, with a decent amount of smoke output. A solid start.

First Third – 10 Minutes In

The ash held tight for about an inch before dropping, and the dominant note was still a smooth earth, with a hint of bread creeping in occasionally. The finish remained long, black pepper with leathery undertones.

The burn? Razor-sharp. Smoke output? Getting better. Strength was edging toward medium-full.

Second Third – 30 Minutes In

By the halfway mark, the cigar began to settle into its groove. The earthiness became smoother, almost buttery, with the leather stepping up to match it. Both notes lasted deep into the finish, almost completely replacing the black pepper.

The smoke output was solid, and the burn remained sharp. At this point, the cigar had settled into a comfortable medium-full strength and body.

Last Third – 65 Minutes In

Just when I thought this cigar was going to cruise to a smooth finish, the pepper came back with a vengeance, dominating my palate. The final stretch was bold, with deep earth tones dominating and the strength ramping up to full.

Final Thoughts

At 1 hour and 27 minutes, I tapped out. This cigar took me on a ride of decent flavors, gradual intensity shifts, and reliable construction.

The Plasencia Reserva 1898 Toro is a testament to how a cigar can still deliver a respectable smoking experience while still giving you value for your money.

Cigar Breakdown – The Nerdy Stats

• Cigar: Plasencia Reserva 1898 Toro
• Size: 6.5 × 52
• Wrapper: Nicaraguan
• Binder: Honduras
• Filler: Nicaraguan
• Strength: Medium to Full
• Body: Medium to Medium-Full
• Cold Draw Notes: Nutty, slight sweetness, dried fruit
• First Third: Earthy, hints of bread, leathery peppery finish
• Second Third: Buttery smooth earth, stronger leather, faint pepper, razor-sharp burn
• Final Third: Bold pepper resurgence, deep earth, full strength
• Burn Time: 1 hour 27 minutes
• Smoke Output: Medium to Full

Overall Experience

A solid budget-friendly cigar with good construction and a decent flavor profile. It won’t blow you away, but it’s a reliable, well-balanced smoke that delivers for the price. Since the Plasencia Reserva 1898 is no longer in production, it’s worth grabbing if you do come across it. It’s an affordable classic that won’t be around for long.

If you’ve tried the Plasencia Reserva 1898 Toro, let me know your thoughts. And if you haven’t, it’s worth a shot.

This is exactly what we love talking about on Habano del Podcasto, Dubai’s #1 Cigar Podcast. Finding underrated cigars, hidden gems, and those good value sticks that might just surprise you.

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