The Premium Cigar Association (PCA) has partnered with Manifatture Sigaro Toscano (Toscano cigars) to bring its members a new PCA release, the Toscano Brenta. The Toscano Brenta is the first Toscano blend to use tobacco that has undergone an air-cured process rather than its traditional fire-cured process. The Toscano Brenta’s blend has tobacco that has been aged 3-5 years. After the cigar has been rolled, it is re-fermented in special rooms and allowed to age for an additional six months.
“The partnership with PCA is essential so that Manifatture Sigaro Toscano can make its voice heard in matters of public interest. PCA represents a bastion in defense of the cigar market in respect of legality and in the discussion on possible limitations that could compromise business development without any advantage for society. We have collaborated successfully in various activities for years and continue to do so with determination. For this reason, we decided to create a special cigar to celebrate this winning partnership,” says Luciano Simeone, sales director for Manifatture Sigaro Toscano.
“We are grateful to Toscano for helping us relaunch the PCA Product HUB with such a special project. I was fortunate to visit Toscano’s amazing factory in Lucca, Italy last year and see this project firsthand from the concept and infancy stage of the process. Toscano, as an organization, continues to be one of the PCA’s most steadfast partners working with the association through growth at the trade show to advocacy events co-hosted in Washington, D.C., at the Italian Embassy and Capitol Hill. This project maintains the rich Italian heritage of Toscano cigars with influences of the American premium cigar market,” says PCA Executive Director Joshua Habursky.
The Toscano Brenta is handcrafted by artisans in Campese, near Bassano del Grappa in northern Italy. The Toscano Brenta’s blend is composed entirely of Havana Dark Air Cured tobacco named Nostrano del Brenta that is aged anywhere from 3-5 years. Like other cigars in Toscano’s portfolio, the Toscano Brenta is a mellow cigar presented in the company’s unique conical shape with a ring gauge of 56 and a length of 4.14 inches. The Toscano Brenta has a complex flavor profile with walnut and hazelnut notes, finishing with a delicate hint of wood. The cigar’s blend is also highlighted by an aroma of dry florals, spice, leather, and wood.
“The aroma of the unlit cigar is reminiscent of hazelnut and dry floral and can be predominantly compared to earth and carob. Once lit, the draw of the cigar is sweet. At first, the cigar has aromas of dry florals and honey, with a hint of carob and mineral. As the smoke progresses, the initial flavors remain unchanged. At the same time, the aromas undergo an important evolution: walnut appears, like the dominant dry floral aroma, on hints of leather and wood. The cigar’s strength also increases slightly, becoming more medium-light in body,” Simeone explains.
The Toscano Brenta pairs well with rum, especially French rums from Martinique, which are coffee-colored and typically heavy in body. Rum from Martinique will enhance the honey notes of this mild-bodied smoke. Rye whiskey is another recommended pairing. The whiskey’s notes of wood, cherries, and vanilla with subtle hints of tobacco go perfectly with those of leather and wood found in the Toscano Brenta.
The Toscano Brenta will debut on September 25, 2024, during the PCA’s Fall Fundraiser at Don Tito in Arlington, Virginia. From September 26 to October 11, it will be available exclusively to PCA members. It will then be released to the general public soon thereafter.
