danthebugman
BoM Nov '10
I don't have a Mexican cigar to smoke for Cinco de Mayo, but I felt this cigar was a suitable substitute...
These were supposed to be released only in Spain, but a few American retailers got some samples and thought so much of them they begged, pleaded, and did deplorable acts devoid of dignity to get some. I just so happened to frequent one such store on Good Friday. While I'm not usually one to chase after such elusive sticks, I do like to try new things and there they were right in front of me :grin:. These come in 3 sizes: Petite Robusto (4 x 50), Robusto (5 x 52), and Corona (5.5 x 42). The store was out of Coronas so I picked up a PR for $8.50. Being made for the Spanish market, they are supposed to be Cuban-esque in their flavor profile. They feature Dominican and Nicaraguan filler, Dominican binder, and an Ecuadorian Arapiraca wrapper. Let's get started shall we?
While small in size, this cigar feels well packed. The medium brown wrapper is smooth and contains only a few very small veins. It has a slightly oily sheen to it as well. There is a slightly sweet, nutty, rich tobacco aroma. The triple cap is nicely applied. The double band adds a nice touch and I really like the way it looks...grabs my attention without being gaudy.
The cap cut easily and cleanly revealing an easy draw with just a slight resistance :thumbsup:. The cold draw carried a slightly nutty tobacco flavor.
Took to fire without much persuasion.
Initial flavors were a slightly peppery woody core complimented by a nutty, slightly sweet retro-hale. The pepper lingered on the tongue for a while and at it briefly reminded me of red pepper before disappearing. The pepper disappeared after a hand full of puffs. At this point the cigar did taste similar to some CCs I've had (NOTE: I haven't had all that many and am by no means a CC expert so take that statement for what it's worth and you CC diehards lay off :tongueout), but in the way that Diet Dr Pepper tastes more like real Dr Pepper...something was off. The burn started off a bit wavy, but nothing to complain about. Draw was spot on.
As the cigar progressed through the first third the ash was crumbly and would fall in about 1/4" increments...not something that screams quality to me. The wrapper also seemed to not want to burn real well. Don't believe it to be any kind of problem with the cigar as the humidity in my humidor has been closer to 70% than 65%...would probably not have had this problem had it been a tad dryer.
As the cigar burned through the second third the ash firmed up and the burn got better. The flavors really hit their peak in the second third. The woodiness died down a bit while the retro-hale became a very nice creamy hazelnut coffee with an occasional sweet spice. Very enjoyable :thumbsup:.
Toward the last third the cigar seemed to die out some and took a little persuasion from the Ronson to bring it back to life. Also at this point the burn seemed to return to it's erroneous ways, taking some touch ups to keep things tidy.
In the last third the flavors spoiled a bit, but several purges kept me going. The creamy hazelnut on the retro-hale was replaced by an almost perfume like floral aroma...not bad, but I preferred the hazelnut. The wood kicked it up a notch and even had a little peppery note to it once again. Finally ended this when the lips started to take some heat...
Overall I liked this smoke. Enough to buy a box? Well, maybe. It's sure box worthy, but the price tag makes be hesitate a little. $8.50 was a little steep for a PR in my opinion. I'd be a buyer at a little closer to $7.00. From what I've heard the Corona is the best size of this cigar, so I'm going to keep my eyes open and hopefully can find one or two to try. If you happen to be in a place that has them pick up a few to try...shoot pick up all they have, they're scarce enough in the US that you shouldn't have a problem finding people looking to try them.
Happy Cinco de Mayo :smokingme.
Dan
These were supposed to be released only in Spain, but a few American retailers got some samples and thought so much of them they begged, pleaded, and did deplorable acts devoid of dignity to get some. I just so happened to frequent one such store on Good Friday. While I'm not usually one to chase after such elusive sticks, I do like to try new things and there they were right in front of me :grin:. These come in 3 sizes: Petite Robusto (4 x 50), Robusto (5 x 52), and Corona (5.5 x 42). The store was out of Coronas so I picked up a PR for $8.50. Being made for the Spanish market, they are supposed to be Cuban-esque in their flavor profile. They feature Dominican and Nicaraguan filler, Dominican binder, and an Ecuadorian Arapiraca wrapper. Let's get started shall we?
While small in size, this cigar feels well packed. The medium brown wrapper is smooth and contains only a few very small veins. It has a slightly oily sheen to it as well. There is a slightly sweet, nutty, rich tobacco aroma. The triple cap is nicely applied. The double band adds a nice touch and I really like the way it looks...grabs my attention without being gaudy.
The cap cut easily and cleanly revealing an easy draw with just a slight resistance :thumbsup:. The cold draw carried a slightly nutty tobacco flavor.
Took to fire without much persuasion.
Initial flavors were a slightly peppery woody core complimented by a nutty, slightly sweet retro-hale. The pepper lingered on the tongue for a while and at it briefly reminded me of red pepper before disappearing. The pepper disappeared after a hand full of puffs. At this point the cigar did taste similar to some CCs I've had (NOTE: I haven't had all that many and am by no means a CC expert so take that statement for what it's worth and you CC diehards lay off :tongueout), but in the way that Diet Dr Pepper tastes more like real Dr Pepper...something was off. The burn started off a bit wavy, but nothing to complain about. Draw was spot on.
As the cigar progressed through the first third the ash was crumbly and would fall in about 1/4" increments...not something that screams quality to me. The wrapper also seemed to not want to burn real well. Don't believe it to be any kind of problem with the cigar as the humidity in my humidor has been closer to 70% than 65%...would probably not have had this problem had it been a tad dryer.
As the cigar burned through the second third the ash firmed up and the burn got better. The flavors really hit their peak in the second third. The woodiness died down a bit while the retro-hale became a very nice creamy hazelnut coffee with an occasional sweet spice. Very enjoyable :thumbsup:.
Toward the last third the cigar seemed to die out some and took a little persuasion from the Ronson to bring it back to life. Also at this point the burn seemed to return to it's erroneous ways, taking some touch ups to keep things tidy.
In the last third the flavors spoiled a bit, but several purges kept me going. The creamy hazelnut on the retro-hale was replaced by an almost perfume like floral aroma...not bad, but I preferred the hazelnut. The wood kicked it up a notch and even had a little peppery note to it once again. Finally ended this when the lips started to take some heat...
Overall I liked this smoke. Enough to buy a box? Well, maybe. It's sure box worthy, but the price tag makes be hesitate a little. $8.50 was a little steep for a PR in my opinion. I'd be a buyer at a little closer to $7.00. From what I've heard the Corona is the best size of this cigar, so I'm going to keep my eyes open and hopefully can find one or two to try. If you happen to be in a place that has them pick up a few to try...shoot pick up all they have, they're scarce enough in the US that you shouldn't have a problem finding people looking to try them.
Happy Cinco de Mayo :smokingme.
Dan
