My Weekend Cigar Review: Epic A Bronx Tale Calogero Toro

An Epic Tale Shared in the Smoke of a Fine Cigar

Epic’s A Bronx Tale Calogero cigars bring Chazz Palminteri's cinematic and Broadway stage flair to the world of premium cigars. The blend was first released in 2023 as a tribute to Palminteri's grandfather, Calogero, and the spirit of Italian-American immigrant heritage and determination. Released in limited edition, those first Calogero Toros were box pressed, but this year they became one of four regular production cigars rolled in round parejo shapes.

Palminteri, alongside Dean Parsons of Epic Cigars and Paul DiSilvio of La Casa Grande Tobacco Co. in the Bronx, NY crafted these gems at Tabacalera Von Eicken in the Dominican Republic. The Calogero blend has a sweet-spicy, medium-bodied flavor profile that earned the Toro a an “Outstanding” 90 by Aficionado.

Available in four popular sizes—Robusto, Toro, Torpedo, and Gordo—Epic A Bronx Tale Calogero cigars feature a secondary Calogero band, and in each 20-count box is a touching dedication to Mr. Palminteri’s grandfather.

Cigar Details: Epic A Bronx Tale Calogero Toro

Factory: Tabacalera Von Eicken S.R.L. in the Dominican Republic
Size: 6x54
Strength: Medium
Wrapper: Ecuadorian Habano
Binder: Dominican
Filler: Dominican, Nicaraguan
Flavor profile: Medium bodied and sweet with nutty, woody, and light spicy notes

Presentation: Box of 20 cigars

Epic A Bronx Tale Calogero Toro Cigar Review

The cigar is very well built with an even, caramel-colored Habano wrapper that is literally seamlessly rolled from head to toe and topped with a textbook triple seam cap. The wrapper didn't have any specific aromas, but the base of the cigar had a sweet aroma. After cutting the cap, the cigar had an excellent draw with a sweet molasses prelight flavor.

Once lit, the cigar issued a molasses sweetness with a lingering black pepper spice on the finish. It didn’t take long for the pepper to disappear, leaving me with a very smooth smoking cigar that was both sweet and nutty.

By the first inch, the cigar was burning perfectly; nice thick smoke output, too. The ash was firm and dark grey in color. More flavors arrived: cedar, baking spices with bright notes of nutmeg and a breath of cinnamon. Top flavors of molasses and nuts were now firmly establishing themselves complemented by a teaspoon of heavy cream. The body was more medium while the strength was just a couple clicks below that.

Approaching the midsection, a drive-by note of earth hits, but the cigar is still mostly sweet, now more like toffee-coated almonds. Moving along, the smoke was still medium bodied, and more earth began to squeeze through. Oddly enough, the earthiness seemed to be melt into the sweeter flavors, keeping the cigar very well balanced.

During the last two inches, the earthier layer bested the sweeter flavors, but the molasses hung in long enough to keep me interested for another half-inch, and that’s all she wrote.

Was the Epic A Bronx Tale Calogero Toro Weekend Worthy?

I had no idea what to expect from this what some might call a “celebrity cigar,” but I found the A Bronx Tale Calogero Toro very impressive. The internationally acclaimed story by the celebrated writer, actor, and entrepreneur, Chazz Palminteri, has been a movie, a stage play, a Broadway musical, a one man show, and now a cigar—why wasn't I surprised?

I lit up my Calogero with no preconceptions and I’m glad I did. From what I’ve seen, many cigars associated with celebs tend to be short lived, but this cigar could be a mold breaker, and I hope it goes the distance. From the top-notch construction to the even burn, dead-center balance, and medium body & strength, all of the pieces fell comfortably into place. Plus, as someone who likes a sweeter smoke, I was deep in my comfort zone. Based on my experience, I felt that the Bronx Tale Calogero Toro’s price was justified and I would smoke another without hesitation.

Please Note: Gary’s review was based on his experience and that your mileage may vary.