Toscano Antico

Toscano Antico – box of 5

Vitola: Toscano, double-conical
Length: 152 mm (6")
Ring gauge: 33 (13.1 mm)
Origin: Italy
Manufacturer: Manifatture Sigaro Toscano
Factory: Lucca, Italy
Wrapper: North American Kentucky
Filler: Italian and North American Kentucky
Manufacturing: Machine-made
Aging: More than 10 months
Strength: Medium–full according to Kind Cigars
Body: Full-bodied
Launched: 1973
Packaging: Box of 5

Toscano Antico is one of the classic cigars from Manifatture Sigaro Toscano and has been produced since 1973. It is characterized by its traditional double-conical Toscano shape, a North American Kentucky wrapper, and a blend of both Italian and North American Kentucky tobacco.

The wrapper is fire-cured for more than 30 days over hickory and oak, among other woods. After fermentation, the cigar is also allowed to age for more than ten months before being sold. The manufacturer describes the flavor profile as featuring aromatic wood, dried fruit, distinct smokiness, and spicier notes toward the end.

Background – A Toscano Classic Since 1973

Toscano Antico was launched in 1973, more than 150 years after the event commonly associated with the origins of the Toscano cigar.

Manifatture Sigaro Toscano describes the Antico as a cigar that deeply embodies the brand’s history and tradition. It belongs to the Natural Long family and is manufactured in Lucca, Tuscany.

Antico differs from several other traditional Toscano cigars due to its combination of a North American wrapper, Italian and North American filler, and a relatively long fermentation and aging period.

What makes the Toscano Antico unique?

A central part of the Toscano Antico’s construction is the wrapper made from North American Kentucky tobacco.

According to the manufacturer, wrapper leaves from North America are selected and fire-cured for more than 30 days over hickory and oak. The long fire-curing process contributes to the characteristic smokiness associated with Antico.

The filler consists of a blend of Italian Kentucky tobacco from Tuscany and North American Kentucky tobacco from growing regions in Kentucky and Tennessee.

After fermentation and production, the cigar is also allowed to age for more than ten months.

The manufacturer – Manifatture Sigaro Toscano, Lucca

Toscano Antico is manufactured in Lucca by Manifatture Sigaro Toscano.

Kentucky tobacco plays a central role in the entire Toscano production process. Today, a large portion of the company’s Kentucky tobacco comes from Italy, while other tobacco is sourced from North America, among other places.

Antico is machine-made and features the classic Toscano construction with a wrapper and filler.

Its characteristic shape is double-conical, meaning the cigar is wider toward the middle and tapers toward both ends.

How the flavor develops

The flavor experience is subjective, so instead of conducting our own third-by-third tasting, we’ll rely here on the manufacturer’s official description.

Toscano describes Antico as intense and robust, with high aromatic intensity.

The flavor profile features, above all, aromatic wood and dried fruit, followed by a more pronounced smokiness. According to the manufacturer, more spicy notes develop toward the end.

The long fire-curing of the Kentucky tobacco is a key component of its smoky character.

How to Smoke a Toscano Antico

A Toscano can be smoked either whole or split down the middle.

Smoking the cigar whole is traditionally known as “alla maremmana.” Another common method is to split the cigar in half, known as “ammezzato.”

Toscano recommends that the cigar be sufficiently moistened before splitting to reduce the risk of the wrapper cracking at the cut. Use a clean cigar cutter or other suitable cutting tool and split the cigar at its widest point.

Whether smoked whole or split, the Antico should be smoked slowly so that the cigar does not overheat.

Construction, Draw, and Burn

The Toscano Antico has a rustic appearance that clearly distinguishes it from many premium Caribbean cigars.

The shape is double-conical, and the wrapper consists of fire-cured North American Kentucky tobacco. The cigar lacks the straight cylindrical shape common to, for example, Robusto and Toro cigars.

Since draw, ash, and burn can vary between individual cigars, we do not specify a particular ash length, color, or exact draw resistance.

Antico is machine-made in Lucca and sold in boxes of five cigars.

Who is the Toscano Antico best suited for?

Toscano Antico has a significantly stronger profile than many milder cigars.

The manufacturer rates Antico at the highest level for both body and strength on its own seven-point product scale and describes it as intense and distinctly characterful.

This makes Antico particularly relevant for those who are already familiar with Toscano or are looking for a stronger cigar made from fire-cured Kentucky tobacco.

For those comparing different Toscano varieties, there are also options such as the Toscano Classico and Toscanello, which feature different blends, formats, and strength profiles.

Antico, Classico, or Toscanello?

Toscano Antico was launched in 1973 and uses North American Kentucky as the wrapper, along with Italian and North American Kentucky in the filler. It has a full-bodied profile and undergoes a longer fermentation and aging process.

Toscano Classico was launched in 1930 and uses Italian Kentucky as the wrapper, along with Italian and foreign Kentucky for the filler. Toscano rates Classico slightly lower than Antico in both body and strength.

Toscanello is the shorter “ammezzato” format. The history of this format dates back to 1948, when long Toscano cigars began to be split down the middle.

Which variant is best depends on the format and strength profile you’re looking for.

Storage

Toscano cigars should not automatically be stored in a completely dry environment.

The manufacturer recommends a temperature of around 20 °C and 65% relative humidity to preserve the cigar’s structure and aromatic qualities.

For longer-term storage, a humidor can be used. Toscano notes that a humidor is particularly useful when cigars are to be stored for an extended period.

Those who prefer a drier profile may store Toscano in drier conditions, but the cigars should always be protected from direct sunlight, heat sources, and significant fluctuations in temperature and humidity.

Frequently Asked Questions About Toscano Antico

How strong is Toscano Antico?

Toscano Antico has a robust and full-bodied profile. Kind Cigars classifies it as medium–full, while Manifatture Sigaro Toscano rates it at the highest level for both strength and body in its own product profile.

How big is the Toscano Antico?

Kind Cigars lists the length as 152 mm and the ring gauge as 33, which is approximately 13.1 mm. Since the cigar is double-conical, the diameter varies along its length.

When was the Toscano Antico launched?

The Toscano Antico was launched in 1973.

What tobacco is used in the Toscano Antico?

The wrapper is North American Kentucky. The filler consists of Italian Kentucky from Tuscany, along with North American Kentucky from states such as Kentucky and Tennessee.

How long is the Toscano Antico aged?

Manifatture Sigaro Toscano states that fermentation and aging take place over more than ten months. Kind Cigars describes the aging process as lasting about one year.

Is the Toscano Antico hand-rolled?

No. Toscano Antico is machine-made in Lucca.

Can the Toscano Antico be split in half?

Yes. Toscano cigars can traditionally be smoked either whole or split in half. The split version is called ammezzato.

Does Toscano Antico need to be stored in a humidor?

For long-term storage, Toscano recommends a stable environment of around 20 °C and 65% relative humidity. A humidor is therefore suitable for long-term storage.

What characterizes the flavor?

The manufacturer describes it primarily as having notes of aromatic wood, dried fruit, smokiness, and spicier tones toward the end.