Toscano (cigar)

Some Toscano cigars.

The Toscano cigar is the original Italian cigar manufactured in Tuscany, Italy. It is made of high-quality fermented Kentucky tobacco. Founded in the early 19th century, the Toscano cigar is rich in history, tradition and heritage. It is an established brand in Italy and is also well known in Switzerland and Austria.^[1]

History

In 1818, the Grand Duke of Tuscany, Ferdinand III, founded a tobacco factory which manufactured Toscano cigars. A bale of Kentucky tobacco leaves which had been drying in the open were caught in an unexpected downpour of rain. The wet tobacco started to ferment in the summer heat. Instead of throwing all away, it was decided that the fermented tobacco be used to produce cigars to be sold in Florence. It gained popularity amongst Italians, thereafter it became a regular production. Today, the Toscano brand cigars are manufactured by Manifatture Sigaro Toscano SpA located in Lucca and Cava de' Tirreni.^[2]

Shape

The Toscano cigar has a characteristic elliptical shape with truncated ends that have a smaller diameter than the central part (belly). The diameter of the cigar varies depending of the type of Toscano, from a minimum of 13mm to 16.5mm. However, after a period of time, the thickness of certain types of cigars have been reduced by a few millimeters, decreasing its smoke time.

The lengths of various Toscano cigars are somewhat similar, ranging from a minimum of 155mm (6.10 inches) to a maximum of 163mm (6.40 inches). The only exception is the Toscano "Il Moro" with notable dimensions of 20mm (0.78 inches; at its thickest point) and 230mm (9.05 inches) long.

Typically, the Toscano cigar has an uneven, sometimes lumpy, surface, with noticeable ribs of the wrapping leaves. By the absence of a sub-band, and its processing not requiring shaping, these irregularities in structure are more evident in hand-rolled cigars and are not seen as defects, but characteristics of the Toscano cigar.^[3]

Production

The Toscano cigar is not a typical cigar as the Kentucky tobacco used in making it is generally a pipe tobacco. Kentucky tobacco is cultivated in various regions of Italy, such as Tuscany, Campania, Lazio, Umbria, Veneto. For the wrapper, North American Kentucky leaves are used in various Toscano cigars because of its wider width. Kentucky leaves from Southern Italy, particularly Campania and Umbria, are used to attain certain sweet flavors found in Toscano Garibaldi and Toscanello Garibaldi.^[4]

The tobacco leaves first undergo a type of wet fermentation, in which they are moistened and flame-cured in ovens fueled by oak and beech woods for a total of 15 to 20 days, which infuse the Toscano cigar with a unique flavor. During this stage, the leaves are arranged neatly onto strings in special cells equipped with a "Stendaggio" system and air valves for moisture regulation. Temperature regulation is controlled through the increase or decrease of wood fire. This whole process ensures that the Kentucky tobacco is completely cured. The tobacco, which is used as filler, is a blend of Italian traditionally-grown Kentucky and North American Kentucky. The flavored Toscanello cigars use a filler blend of Italian, South American, and Far East Kentucky tobacco.^[5]

Unlike Caribbean cigars, where a binder is rolled around the filler tobacco before the wrapper tobacco covers it over, the Toscano cigar is made by rolling the filler tobacco with only the wrapper tobacco (without any binder). The production of cigars then continues on two lines: production by hand for high quality and limited edition cigars, and production by machine. In the production by hand, a cigar roller known as "sigaraia" produces up to 520 cigars per day. After rolling, the cigars are air-dried in an aging chamber. Depending on the duration of maturation, different qualities result. The cigars are placed in ventilated cells with controlled humidity levels. The aging period varies depending on the type of cigar. Some of the high-quality Toscano cigars are hand-rolled such as the Toscano Il Moro, Toscano Il Presidente, Toscano Originale.^[6]

All Toscano cigars have a typical elliptical shape, what one would call "Perfecto" with a Caribbean cigar. Most Toscano cigars are between the length of 150 to 160 mm (5.9 to 6.3 in), with the exception of Il Moro which has an average length of 230 mm (9.1 in). The Toscanello cigar is another variety of Toscano cigar, in which the cigars are already cut in half (ammezzati) and are ready to smoke. The classics are Toscanello, Toscanello Garibaldi, Toscanello Scelto, and Toscanello Speciale. As well as flavors such as Anise, Dark Chocolate, Espresso, Grappa, Mocha, and Vanilla.^[7]

Characteristics

Toscano are strong, intense cigars with a high nicotine proportion. Typically, the aromas and scents released when smoked are full, intense and savory. The varieties marketed may be marked by strength, sweetness and flavor. In the Toscano range, Toscano ExtraVecchio is said to be strong and determined. The Toscano production is characterized by calmness, purity and persistence of flavor. Toscano Garibaldi uses Kentucky leaves with higher sugar content in its production and its aroma tastes sweet, gentle and vigorous, suitable for beginner smokers.^[8]

Traditionally, they are not smoked as a whole, but cut in the middle. They are considered dry cigars or cheroots which means they do not have to be stored in a humidor. It is very much different from the Caribbean cigars which will dry up and crack if not stored in a humidor. The Kentucky tobacco is not hygroscopic after undergoing special fermentation and can be stored for years at room temperature without losing its quality. Ideally, the Toscano cigar should have an internal humidity between 12% and 14%, and a storage humidity of between 65% and 70%.

Types of Toscano Cigar

The Toscano cigars are made and sold in 27 different varieties:

Toscano Il Moro, handmade in limited quantities every year, is the only Toscano cigar which has its individual wooden packaging box. It is the most exclusive Toscano cigar and usually sold at a premium price. Other handmade Toscano cigars include Toscano Originale, Toscano Originale 150, Toscano Originale Selected, Toscano Millennium (limited edition), Toscano del Presidente (limited edition).

The Toscanello cigars are produced due to the popular custom of smoking Toscano cigars cut in half in Italy. Toscanello Garibaldi, Toscanello, and Toscanello Speciale are halves of Toscano Garibaldi, Toscano Classico, and Toscano Antico respectively. There is the Aroma series: Anice, Caffe, Fondente, Grappa, Mocha, and Vanilla which are lighter and more refreshing smoke.

The "Sigari d'Autore" series are based on three famous Italian personalities: Toscano Garibaldi (green box), Toscano Modigliani (white box) and Toscano Soldati (red box). When placed side by side, these three boxes form the Italian flag.^[9]

Quotes

Strangely, in the context of international films, the Toscano cigar is usually referred to in more generic and vague manner. For example, in the film "Anatomy of a Murder" directed by Otto Preminger in 1959, the main character - a brilliant lawyer played by James Stewart - offered the cigars he was smoking to a friend and called them Italian cigars. The friend declines, saying, "Those stinkweeds are another sign of your decadence."

In an episode of "The Return of Sherlock Holmes - The Bruce Partington Plans" produced by Granada Television in 1988, shows a scene at the Italian restaurant called Goldini. Holmes played by Jeremy Brett said to his friend and colleague, Dr. Watson played by Edward Hardwicke: "Try one of the proprietor's cigars. They are less poisonous than one would expect."^[10]

Since there is no "Italian cigar" as such, there is no doubt all these mentions were referring to the Toscano cigar. In the film "The Band of Honest Men" directed by Camillo Mastrocinque, having just finished printing the bank notes, Toto is seen buying a pack of Toscano cigar. Last but not least, there were numerous appearances of the Toscano cigar with the young Clint Eastwood in some of the best-known "Spaghetti Western" franchises directed by Sergio Leone and scored by Ennio Morricone.

References