The Robusto Report

For the first test, we assemble a panel of new and experienced palates together at a venue (in this issue’s case, Club Macanudo, a veritable Versailles of cigars) and over a big dinner and drinks, have them smoke five cigars each.

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An online reader queried us the other day, asking why our cigar tastings aren’t done blind. For starters, we test cigars two different ways. The first is from the consumer perspective, and a customer walking into their favorite tobacconist knows the brands they’re buying — we don’t taste the sticks blind, because you don’t taste them blind.

The second way we test cigars is far more clinical — we the Report editors smoke multiple samples of each cigar individually, judge its merits, and, along with input from the first test, deem each stick OUTSTANDING, SUPERIOR, WORTHY, MEDIOCRE, or UNPALATABLE. All our reviews, however, come down to personal taste — each rating is merely our collected opinions. With that in mind, we present our thoughts on some of the finest hand-rolled Robustos and some that aren’t. - the editors

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Slide Shows:

Robustos ($10 and Under) and Robustos ($10 and Above).
Click here to see how The Cigar Report rating panel sampled 25 Robusto cigars at Club Macanudo on January 9.

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Ashton Cabinet #6
A handsome and tightly constructed cigar with a “beautiful cap” ended up being a relatively soft smoke with a slightly hard draw. Some reviewers did say it was “like sucking on a slightly kinked straw” that had a “peppery,” “grassy” taste. One taster found both the dry draw and smoke had a heavy hit of ammonia, something none of the others experienced. The taste was judged to be “mild going on medium” — the kind of smoke that would be ideal with full-bodied madeira, but overwhelm a vintage wine.

Wrapper: Connecticut
Binder: Dominican Republic
Filler: Dominican Republic
$9.50/Stick
$237.50/Box of 25
Conclusion: MEDIOCRE

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Avo XO Intermezzo
A “classy” stick with light veins and a smooth surface, the XO had a “grassy,” “greener-tasting” dry draw, followed by a flavor alternatively termed “nutty” and “saddle soap” (the latter in a good way). The ash was firm and gray, and the aftertaste was considered “light, pleasant, not sharp” by one taster, who went on to re-emphasize that the overall experience with this light-bodied cigar as “very pleasant.”

Wrapper: Ecuador
Binder: Dominican Republic
Filler: Dominican Republic
$9.40/Stick
$235.00/Box of 25
Conclusion: WORTHY

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Camacho Triple Maduro
The combination of triple bands and stubby length wasn’t a good one for this cigar, aesthetically speaking (“Too many bands”). But the tasters put aside any issues with looks aside once they lit up this well-constructed stick and experienced its “pleasant” aroma and “cedar and redwood” flavors. A woody dry-draw and aftertaste served as bookends to the actual smoking, while the cigar left a “solid” and handsome dark-gray ash.

Wrapper: Honduras
Binder: Honduras
Filler: Honduras
$12.50/Stick
$189.00/Box of 18
Conclusion: WORTHY/SUPERIOR

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CAO Brazilia
For one taster, this cigar was heavily reminiscent of another favorite. “Tastes like the original blend of the Zino Mouton Cadet with a little more white pepper,” he said, before remarking that the stick’s aftertaste was “nutty” with notes of “almonds and hazelnuts.” Other tasters detected no aftertaste from this sturdy, “oily and dark” stick (“Pleasing to look at,” one commented). “An excellent smooth smoke.”

Wrapper: Brazil
Binder: Nicaragua
Filler: Nicaragua
$5.65/Stick
$113.00/Box of 20
Conclusion: SUPERIOR

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Cohiba (Linea Clasica)
This box produced consistently well-constructed and flavorful “perfect blonde” cigars, light and a little soft to the touch. Dry-draw produced a “good cedar taste,” while the tip “sparked right up” to the lit match. With an aroma “like wild grass after a rain,” a “very velvety and rich” flavor containing notes of hay and flowers, and an aftertaste ranging from “none” to “leather and a hint of cedar,” this medium-bodied number left nobody disappointed.

Wrapper: Cuba
Binder: Cuba
Filler: Cuba
$21.23/Stick
$530.75/Box of 25
Conclusion: OUTSTANDING

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Cubita Spanish Cabinet Selection
“The wrapper takes away from the aesthetic look,” one taster commented before lighting up. Once afire, this stick had a tough, tight draw that nonetheless produced a “pleasing, mild aroma” and a “nutty” flavor. Despite the draw, it also burned evenly, producing solid gray ash. Said another: “A good cigar, but not as good as the others we reviewed.”

Wrapper: Connecticut
Binder: Dominican Republic
Filler: Dominican Republic
$5.45/Stick
$89.00/Box of 25
Conclusion: MEDIOCRE

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Cusano Anniversary
This was a “classic blend,” one taster thought, although the cigar itself was judged “mediocre” in appearance. The rough and vein-thick wrapper, balanced somewhat by “good” construction, nonetheless produced “a good dry draw” with “straight hay” taste, followed by a “sweet” flavor and aroma of “spice and cedar.” In total, a light-to-medium-bodied stick that would potentially serve as an excellent late-morning smoke.

Wrapper: Ecuador
Binder: Mexico
Filler: Honduras, Connecticut, Dominican Republic
$5.90/Stick
$59.00/Box of 10
Conclusion: WORTHY

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Diamond Crown #4
One of the more complex smokes, this cigar started out with a “sweet flavor on the tongue” during the dry draw, before graduating (after an easy lighting-up) to a “sweet, fruity” flavor that turned “toward a woody vanilla.” The likewise sweet aroma had flavors, according to one taster, of “cherry and plum,” with an aftertaste of cedar and vanilla. This was a light cigar with a multiplicity of flavor notes. . . although one taster mused, “Not much personality.” Wrapper: Connecticut
Binder: Dominican Republic
Filler: Dominican Republic
$11.00/Stick
$165.00/Box of 15
Conclusion: WORTHY

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Don Pepin Series JJ
Things didn’t start out too well for this cigar. “Flat spot. . . soft spot. . . beautiful cap, but. . . it’s really loose,” one taster opined as he took a “peppery” dry-draw on the medium-bodied stick, then lit up. General consensus was a “perfect,” “easy and powerful” draw, bringing with it “spicy, nuts and cocoa” notes that were nonetheless “unobtrusive.” The aroma of “sweet spice” settled around the puffer. “If a cigar was judged on flavor alone, this would be as great as it gets.” Fortunately, taste is often (nearly) everything.

Wrapper: Nicaragua
Binder: Nicaragua
Filler: Nicaragua
$12.50/Stick
$240.00/Box of 20
Conclusion: OUTSTANDING

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Donaflor
This tightly wrapped and aesthetically pleasing Brazilian puro had a taste and aroma befitting its dark look. One taster found the dry draw was “woodsy,” while another found it “fruity” and yet another “spicy.” Once lit, though, all tasters found the cigar a cheek-sucking draw, although the “bold” aroma “If you’ve ever blown cigar smoke into a cognac and inhaled deeply. . . ” in one summary and rich, medium-to-strong taste of cedar, earth and berries somewhat made up for this.

Wrapper: Brazil
Binder: Brazil
Filler: Brazil
$5.50/Stick
$137.50/Box of 25
Conclusion: WORTHY

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Fuente Fuente OpusX
Living up to its reputation, this “excellent, sturdy” stick produced no disappointments in the flavor, aroma, or draw department. The “nutty,” “peppery” flavor gave way to a “clean, light,” “woody” aftertaste, as ashtrays around the table filled with flaky ash. This “full-bodied” smoke was considered, in sum, “picture perfect.”

Wrapper: Dominican Republic
Binder: Dominican Republic
Filler: Dominican Republic
$11.75/Stick
$349.00/Box of 29
Conclusion: OUTSTANDING

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Griffins Special XIII Edition
Despite its somewhat “unpolished” construction (“loose,” said one reviewer, while another thought the cap “poorly done”) and an unevenly colored wrapper with thick veins, we found this medium-bodied special edition “easy to light,” with a “buttery and inviting aroma” and a “woody flavor” with hints of tea and pepper. The ash was brittle and tended to flake. “Leaves an impression.”

Wrapper: Ecuador
Binder: Dominican Republic
Filler: Dominican Republic
$10.00/Stick
$100.00/Box of 10
Conclusion: WORTHY

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Hoya de Monterrey Epicure #2
One taster squeezed this cigar a little too hard while lighting up. . . and the cigar maintained its shape, despite the insult. That’s only one reason for the room’s praise of this stick’s “tight” draw and “perfect” construction. The dry draw, tasting of berries, was “extremely flavorful.” Once lit, one taster experienced the tight draw typical of many Cuban cigars, but this wasn’t an impediment to enjoying its “grassy, hay, fruit and nut” flavor notes. The cigar had a “very faint and toasty aftertaste, but virtually unnoticeable.” Another taster felt that the aftertaste was redolent of almonds.

Wrapper: Cuba
Binder: Cuba
Filler: Cuba
$23.50/Stick
$587.00/Box of 25
Conclusion: SUPERIOR

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Jose Sejas
Flawlessly constructed, with “a nice contrast between super-dark wrapper and white band,” this medium-bodied cigar was a definite hit with the crowd. “Perfect draw,” commented one taster, who went on to describe the aroma as “honeyed” with a “nutty and creamy” flavor. It’s “leathery at first, but smoothes out to be very rewarding,” said another, who summed up the stick as “like a smooth berry milkshake.” An aftertaste of wood “carried over, slightly sharp on the tip of the tongue.”

Wrapper: Ecuador
Binder: Connecticut
Filler: Dominican Republic, Nicaragua, Peru
$12.50/Stick
$312.00/Box of 25
Conclusion: OUTSTANDING

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La Flor Dominicana L-400 Oscuro
The “sharp and zesty” dry draw — noticeable but not overpowering — transformed into a creamy aroma and “balanced and consistent flavor” of leather and pepper once this “sultry-looking” and well-wrapped cigar was lit. A “big cigar with a big personality and full-bodied presence,” summed one taster, who praised the solid ash and lively, spicy flavor with “some notes of lead and leather.” Another noted the cigar’s “incredible balance.”

Wrapper: Ecuador
Binder: Dominican Republic
Filler: Dominican Republic
$4.60/Stick
$110.00/Box of 24
Conclusion: SUPERIOR

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La Gloria Cubana Huevo
“Tightly wrapped” with “thick veins” and “poorly done cap,” this was a solidly “middle of the road” smoke, starting out with a “hay and some berry” dry-draw before burning cleanly with a “nutty” aroma and flavors of “toast” and “hay.” The aftertaste was described as “noticeable but not unpleasant; sort of like well-burnt toast. And I like well-burnt toast.” Perhaps the most solid point in this medium-bodied smoke’s favor was how it remained “very constant through to the end,” according to one taster.

Wrapper: Connecticut
Binder: Nicaragua
Filler: Dominican Republic, Nicaragua
$4.00/Stick
$100.00/Box of 25
Conclusion: WORTHY

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Leon Jimenes Cameroon 2001
Wrapped in a “classic” double band, the first thing that made this stick stand out was the “smooth-for-a-Cameroon wrapper.” Well-rolled, this medium-bodied cigar burned a bit hot on the tongue once lit. The predominant flavor was, for one person at the table, “Caramel — great approachable blend, and sweet.” The enthusiast next to him experienced an “earthy, basement-like aroma.” The aftertaste was either heavy or nonexistent, depending on the smoker. All in all, “A nice cigar, but not remarkable — there are better Cameroons out there.”

Wrapper: Cameroon
Binder: Dominican Republic
Filler: Dominican Republic
$8.00/Stick
$200/Box of 25
Conclusion: MEDIOCRE

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Macanudo Vintage 2000 VIII
Not many cigars leave “a tingle on the lips,” but this cigar’s effervescent quality was just one of its distinguishing features. Aesthetically “sophisticated,” this smooth-looking and vein-free stick lit easily and produced a “smooth and full” draw, appealing to the more occasional smokers with a “awesome grassy flavor. . . very creamy and smooth” and a “woody,” “toasty” aroma, before leaving a “nutty” aftertaste.

Wrapper: Connecticut
Binder: Mexico
Filler: Dominican Republic, Mexico
$14.20/Stick
$284.00/Box of 20
Conclusion: WORTHY (For the experienced); SUPERIOR (For social smokers)

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Padron Anniversary 1964
“The minute you draw on this cigar, you know it’s something special.” And that taster was just describing the dry draw. A favorite of the bunch, this expertly rolled stick with a smooth wrapper, once lit, and fills your senses with a “sweet woodsy, spicy” aroma and a flavor “of dusty cocoa powder.” Ultimately, this proved a “soft and velvet” smoke suitable for virtually any time of day.

Wrapper: Nicaragua
Binder: Nicaragua
Filler: Nicaragua
$10.20/Stick
$255.00/Box of 25
Conclusion: OUTSTANDING

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Perdomo Estate Vintage 1991 Natural Rejente
While we’re big fans of the Perdomo brand, our tasters didn’t quite feel the love when it came to this particular cigar. Granted, the stick was “beautifully rolled,” with a “gorgeous cap” and “nice band,” but the dry draw had a “touch of ammonia” and the aroma was “unimpressive” once the mild-to-medium cigar lit (easily). Flavor was “a bit one-dimensional,” followed by an after-taste that was “a bit medicinal but not offensive.” Not representative of what’s usually a great smoke.

Wrapper: Connecticut
Binder: Nicaragua
Filler: Nicaragua
$10.80/Stick
$179.95/Box of 20
Conclusion: MIXED (Try it, you may like it, or you may not)

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Rocky Patel Old World Reserve Maduro
Never judge a cigar by its wrapper, at least if Rocky Patel was the one doing the rolling. Although some tasters were nonplussed by the proliferation of veins and somewhat rough texture, this cigar was found to be an easy light and a “smooth and rich” draw with “sweet toasted marshmallow, caramel and some nut” flavors, along with an aroma that “fills a room with a delicious tobacco scent.” In addition, the stick had a “great ribbed ash” and an aftertaste that “happily lingers.” As one taster said, “Looks bad, tastes great!”

Wrapper: Costa Rica
Binder: Honduras
Filler: Honduras
$12.00/Stick
$99.95/Box of 10
Conclusion: SUPERIOR

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Romeo y Julietta Short Churchill
What do you expect? “Smooth,” with “firmness and pliability,” this iconic stick provided a wide range of taste sensations for the assembled. One taster thought the dry draw had hints of “green algae,” while another experienced “a bit of bubble gum.” After an effortless light, the tightly packed cigars nonetheless drew smoothly (indeed, more easily than expected for a Cuban). The aroma was described as “like mom’s kitchen for Sunday dinner — herbal, rich, spicy,” or “toasting bread,” and while the medium-to-strong-bodied cigar burned a bit hot on the tongue, the flavor was “caramel and crusty bread” — or, for someone obviously looking forward to breakfast, “a toasted everything-bagel.”

Wrapper: Cuba
Binder: Cuba
Filler: Cuba
$15.00/Stick
$149.95/Box of 10
Conclusion: OUTSTANDING

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Trinidad Maduro
The classic Connecticut broadleaf wrapper was “smooth,” the construction “sturdy with no soft spots,” and the overall aesthetic presentation “excellent.” The “nutty and fruity” dry draw opened up, after an easy light, into a “mild and pleasing” aroma, a “mild, woody” flavor, and “buttery and pleasant” but faint aftertaste. “Excellent cigar.”

Wrapper: Connecticut
Binder: Ecuador
Filler: Dominican Republic, Nicaragua, Peru
$8.50/Stick
$170.00/Box of 20
Conclusion: SUPERIOR

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Zino Platinum Scepter Series Master Edition
Even before the quick-and-easy light that produced “mouthfuls of smoke,” the Zino Platinum made its presence known, with a noticeable dry draw that tasted “like an aging room — cedar and honey.” Flavor was “a little bitter” at the beginning, before settling in with taste notes of “white pepper/black pepper, toast and touch of metal” and an aftertaste of “burnt hay” reminiscent of “the inside of a cigar box.” The cigar’s elegant look allowed it to stand out from the bunch.

Wrapper: Ecuador
Binder: Connecticut
Filler: Dominican Republic
$14.50/Stick
$145.00/Box of 10
Conclusion: SUPERIOR

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