Wrapper : Nicaraguan
Binder : Nicaraguan
Filler : Nicaraguan and Dominican
Source : Samples sent from Victor Vitale
Finally I am going to be reviewing the Tortuga 215 Edicion Limitada 2011 in the Titan size by Victor Vitale. With Sandy coming through and me getting sick I just have not had much time to enjoy a good cigar. Let’s hope this one is a good one. The Tortuga 215 is available in four sizes, robusto (5×52), torpedo (6×54), toro (6×54) and this Titan (6×60). As for the price, it seems you can find them online for around $8 a stick, give or take a little depending on size.
Jerry reviewed the Tortuga 215 also so take a look at it when you have time.
Pre-Light
Giving the Tortuga 215 a once over and the wrapper is very nice with a velvety feel to it. Wrapper gives me a nice sweet spice with a hint of hay, the foot is just tobacco and the cold draw is a woodsy tobacco. It really seems packed well for its size so let’s get this show on the road.
First Half
Starting out with this Tortuga 215 and it gives off a very prominent woodsy taste along with a bit of a sweet spice and a hint of licorice. I was actually a bit surprised at how easily these big boys lit up. At around an inch into the cigar it develops a more intense sweetness along with the licorice and wood. Not changing much at all. Smoke is very plentiful and coats the palette with a nice sweet licorice taste. First half ended without too much of a change. Sweet licorice was very nice and stayed long after taking a puff. Woodsy notes are there along with a slight spice taste but the sweet licorice was definitely dominant.
Last Half
Heading into the last half of the Tortuga 215 in the titan size and so far it is a very enjoyable experience. I did just a minor touch-up to make sure the burn didn’t go too far off. I had two of the five I smoked for this review go off a good bit but a bit of flame took care of it. Really consistent cigars. Flavors stayed about the same with the woodsy taste picking up a bit and intertwining with the sweet licorice taste. Never had to correct the burn again. Flavors did get a bit more intense in the last 2 inches which was consistent with the others.
Wrap-Up
Would I buy it again? Yes. Really great tasting cigar that lets me relax and enjoy the moment. If you can find them, snag a few to try or hold on to as I don’t know how long they will be available.
Contest
It has been a while since I had a contest and since Victor Vitale was so nice as to provide a box of 10 for me to review, why not give the other five cigars away. Easy contest. Just let a comment and tell us which of Victor Vitale’s cigars you like the most or if you have never had any (or had any you liked) let us know which you are most eager to try. I will let this run until next Saturday (November 17th 2012) at midnight and then I will pick a winner on Sunday using my random generator (it’s called The Hat if you are curious). Good luck!
WINNER
Lloyd L(or I?) is the big winner! Email has been sent. Thank you to everyone for watching and entering.
AUDIO –> Right-Click: Save As
I’m still a relatively beginning cigar smoker, aspiring to develop my palate and become an informed aficionado. I’ve never tried any of Victor Vitale’s cigars so naming the one I like the most is of course not possible. Having just watched and read the review here, the cigar I’d most like to try is the review subject Tortuga 215.
Hey Mike, good to see you up and about. I hope you’re feeling better and over and done with your barf-a-thon. I’ve really been impressed watching interviews with Victor, but unfortunately, haven’t had a chance to try any of his cigars. Hopefully, he’ll chime in and let us know what his intended MSRP is on these. I would love to try any of the Tortugas, although the Hammer & Sickles intrigue me as well. Thanks for the review and for your generosity toward your viewers.
Hello JJO, The intended MSRP on Tortuga 215 EL 2011 is targeted at $8 but it depends on the size. The 660 will come in around $10 due to its size and tobacco. Check it out!
Thanks Victor, I will. Is there any place around the Seattle area carrying them?
I don’t think we’ve addressed Seattle yet for an Authorized Dealer. Do you know a good store/operator there?
Victor, email sent to you via your website.
Hi Mike, Haven’t had the pleasure of smoking any of this brand but the licorice notes has me intrigued. The toro size is usually more to my taste but a good 6×60 is welcome in my humi anytime. Thanks for the contest.
Sounds like a nice smoke! Never have I tried anything from Victor Vitale so I look forward to this!
Thanks for the contest. I haven’t tried any of these cigars so I’d likely smoke the torpedo first. I’ve always been partial to torpedo vitolas.
nice review. never tried a vitale cigar but woul love to try this one. looks great.
Never had one so I would like to try the give away – Tortuga 215 Edicion Limitada – Titan
never had a vitale cigar. love to win some and give a shot
I suppose I’ll go with the default answer -Tortuga LE 215. I haven’t smoked anything by Vctor Vitale that I can recall.
I’d like to try the Tortuga 215 Edicion Limitada 2011 you just reviewed. Sounds fantastic!!!
Never had any of Victor’s cigars but this one sounds like a great one to start with!
Thanks for the contest.
sounds great. love to try it, never had a vitale cigar. always fun to try something new.
I do not believe either of my local B&M cigar stores carry Victor Vitale brand. I would like to try the Tortuga 215. In the meantime,I’ll be having my eye out looking for a local retailer.
Tortuga 215 Toro size is the size of the bunch, have always wanted to try a hammer and sickle Moscow city, but never came across one.
Funny the same day I write this I visit my girlfriends parents in NJ stop at a local b&m andthey have the Moscow City bought 2 smoking one right now and must say as much as I enjoy the Tortuga 215 ( I’m a huge Henke Kelner fan he makes both these smokes) the Moscow City takes the cake!!
Well were do i begin, Sandy or the Snow Storm “Nor Easter” that we had. Being a first responder the last two weeks at work have just been insane seeing what people have been through and going through. I myself was very lucky my fiance and i only lost power for a couple of days. I have friends and family that have lost everything between helping them and being at work helping people that actually had boats in their homes. I actually took a lady to the hospital yesterday with a core body temp. of 81…. Well with that being said i obviously could not take time and enjoy a nice cigar in the last couple of weeks, but after watching this review and reading your reviewI’d like to try the Tortuga 215 Edicion Limitada 2011 you just reviewed. Sounds fantastic!!! Thanks guys for the great work you do its saturday and i am hoping to enjoy a nice cigar with a great friend of mine tonight over a nice glass of johnny walker blue and a padron family reserve 45 treated ourselves hoping to take our minds off of everything that has been taking place in the few weeks. Keep smoking!!!!!!!!
Hey Mike I’m not too familiar with Victor Vitale and the Tortuga label, but it’s actually on a list of cigars to try. Based on the several positive reviews I’ve read I can’t wait to try it. Keep up the good work and thanks for the contest
nice review as always! i havent had any vitale products but it sure would be a treat!!! thanks for the giveaway.
i have not had one, but it will be on my “To-Smoke” list.
Mike, Did you moved or you repainted the room. The ISLAND color look…..nice look
I’ve always been intrigued by the ORTSAC (Castro, spelled backwards); due to the immediate association with Cuba, the Beard, & their legendary (cuban) cigars. I’ve always wondered if the cigar lives up to the name – SEMPER FI!!!
Just in case you’re wondering about the ending of my message above: today is the birthday of the United States Marine Corps [10 Nov. 1775] – SEMPER FIDELIS (Always Faithful). – DET
Thanks for the contest, have not smoked any of Victor Vitales cigars, this one would be the first.
Despite having read reviews of many of VV’s creations, I’ve never been able to find them in a shop. The 215 is at the to of my list, followed by the 1950.
I’ve not had the chance to try any of these yet but this Limitada looks interesting. Thanks for the review.
I’ve never actually smoked anything from Victor’s portfolio but I have heard some good things about his Ortsac and Tortuga lines. I would love to try anything he makes and the 215 you just reveiwed certainly sounds inviting. Thank you for the review and this contest.
Have not tried any yet…not available around these parts…these would seem like as good a place to start as any!
Have not tried any but this one looks like a good place to start.
This cigar looks great. If I could try one model, it would be this one as this is the first time i read about this brand.
Never had the chance to try one, but, sound wonderful.
Jerry …. Great review buddy, I have had the Hammer and Sickle but it really didn’t impress me, although I did pick up a 10count box of the La Mezcla Cubana and Loved them for an early morning smoke. Victor seems like a stand up guy hope he does well.
I would like to try any of the Hammer + Sickle blends.
Hey Mike and everyone!
Mike thanks for taking the time to review my Tortuga 215 EL 2011 and I hope you all get out to try one of my cigars very soon as they’re worth every penny. Here is the best place to find information http://www.VictorVitale.com along with this site specifically for Tortuga http://www.TortugaCigars.com
I’ll be checking in on this thread to answer any questions that anyone has so please ask!
Thanks again everyone.
I haven’t had any of Victor Vitale’s smokes, but as a guy that always wants something new to check out, I’m interested. I see a lot about the Hammy/Sickle blends, but your description of this Tortuga sure sounds nice! Hope you get to feeling better!
I would be a virgin for Victor Vitale – now isn’t that exciting!!! It would be a pleasure to try something new.
Rick K…. WOW! Hahahaa
Haven’t tried of Victor’s yet. Thanks for review anyways
I haven’t heard of this brand before, but would like to try the one you reviewed. The Tortuga 215 Edicion Limitada 2011.
Berlin Wall is top Shelf! Victor come across very well and makes it easy for me to want to buy his stuff
So who was the lucky winner???