danthebugman
BoM Nov '10
Size: 4.5" x 52
Wrapper: Ecuadorian Sumatra
Binder: Nicaraguan
Filler: Nicaraguan
Price: ~ $3.00 (I seem to remember them being around $2.00 a pop, but can't find them that low now)
Intro: In 2006 Pete launched a mixed filler value line of cigars featuring tobacco from the Red Label line. You either loved 'em or you they didn't do it for you. Personally I found the few I was able to get ahold of kind of flat. In 2011 he re-released the the line, but with a Sumatra wrapper on it and in a few different sizes (this Short Robusto being one of them). Not your typical short filler cigars, I believe these feature a 40/60 blend of long and medium fill tobacco. I picked up a box and split it with some fellow BOTL. Smoked a couple and while better than the original releases I'd had, still found them wanting. Buried the rest in the humidor to hand out to people. This evening I found myself with some time and a desire to fire something up, but didn't want to start anything that I might not get to finish (It's been rainy here and was a little cool on the back deck). Ended up digging out one of the remaining ones and thought "What the heck". The size is right and I'm not going to be heartbroken to lay it down. Since I've not reviewed it, let's see what she's got...
Prelight: Pulling the cigar from the plastic there's a notable earthy barnyard aroma. It's nice, but there's also a quality to it that suggests there's something missing. Maybe I'm influenced by my previous experience with these cigars, but it seems a little light. The wrapper is a sexy dark chocolate coloration, though there is a slight blemish towards the foot of the cigar. Couple of prominent veins present. Otherwise appears to be a well done cigar and feels well packed. Certainly nothing to suggest this would be a "value" cigar. This being a mixed filler, I used a punch and it sliced a clean hole in the cap. Draw was easy with a slight resistance and carried some slightly sweet woody notes with a bit of light, delayed pepper essence.
First Third: Fired up fairly easily with a few matches, but then touched up soon after with the Ronson. Good smoke output. Initially a little pepper, especially on retrohaling. Also some leather, woodiness, and a sweetness. Maybe some chocolate also. Burn was good, mostly even during this first part. Ash dropped consistently in 1/2" clumps and with healthy plops into the Stinky.
Second Third: Into the second third the cigar required a few touch ups, but nothing major. Draw is still spot on. The leather has subsided leaving a mostly woody profile with some sweetness to it and a bit of coffee on the retrohale that is masked most of the time by a peppery tingle. Still haven't ashed on the keyboard!
Last Third: Band came off cleanly and progressing into the home stretch I'm diggin' it way more than I did before. Burn has still required a few touch ups here and there, but no major burn issues. Smoke output is adequate to good. Draw is spot on. There's a mostly woody flavor with an earthy aftertaste and a little sweetness on the retrohale. Overall this has been mild to medium (towards the end) body.
Final Thoughts: Better than I remember and a solid value at the price. If you're looking for a decent yard gar or something to have on hand for casual smoking buddies these are definitely a notch above the typical cheapos. But then you might also like 'em and they're not going to break the bank as a staple in your rotation.
View from the back porch tonight...
Dan
Wrapper: Ecuadorian Sumatra
Binder: Nicaraguan
Filler: Nicaraguan
Price: ~ $3.00 (I seem to remember them being around $2.00 a pop, but can't find them that low now)
Intro: In 2006 Pete launched a mixed filler value line of cigars featuring tobacco from the Red Label line. You either loved 'em or you they didn't do it for you. Personally I found the few I was able to get ahold of kind of flat. In 2011 he re-released the the line, but with a Sumatra wrapper on it and in a few different sizes (this Short Robusto being one of them). Not your typical short filler cigars, I believe these feature a 40/60 blend of long and medium fill tobacco. I picked up a box and split it with some fellow BOTL. Smoked a couple and while better than the original releases I'd had, still found them wanting. Buried the rest in the humidor to hand out to people. This evening I found myself with some time and a desire to fire something up, but didn't want to start anything that I might not get to finish (It's been rainy here and was a little cool on the back deck). Ended up digging out one of the remaining ones and thought "What the heck". The size is right and I'm not going to be heartbroken to lay it down. Since I've not reviewed it, let's see what she's got...
Prelight: Pulling the cigar from the plastic there's a notable earthy barnyard aroma. It's nice, but there's also a quality to it that suggests there's something missing. Maybe I'm influenced by my previous experience with these cigars, but it seems a little light. The wrapper is a sexy dark chocolate coloration, though there is a slight blemish towards the foot of the cigar. Couple of prominent veins present. Otherwise appears to be a well done cigar and feels well packed. Certainly nothing to suggest this would be a "value" cigar. This being a mixed filler, I used a punch and it sliced a clean hole in the cap. Draw was easy with a slight resistance and carried some slightly sweet woody notes with a bit of light, delayed pepper essence.
First Third: Fired up fairly easily with a few matches, but then touched up soon after with the Ronson. Good smoke output. Initially a little pepper, especially on retrohaling. Also some leather, woodiness, and a sweetness. Maybe some chocolate also. Burn was good, mostly even during this first part. Ash dropped consistently in 1/2" clumps and with healthy plops into the Stinky.
Second Third: Into the second third the cigar required a few touch ups, but nothing major. Draw is still spot on. The leather has subsided leaving a mostly woody profile with some sweetness to it and a bit of coffee on the retrohale that is masked most of the time by a peppery tingle. Still haven't ashed on the keyboard!
Last Third: Band came off cleanly and progressing into the home stretch I'm diggin' it way more than I did before. Burn has still required a few touch ups here and there, but no major burn issues. Smoke output is adequate to good. Draw is spot on. There's a mostly woody flavor with an earthy aftertaste and a little sweetness on the retrohale. Overall this has been mild to medium (towards the end) body.
Final Thoughts: Better than I remember and a solid value at the price. If you're looking for a decent yard gar or something to have on hand for casual smoking buddies these are definitely a notch above the typical cheapos. But then you might also like 'em and they're not going to break the bank as a staple in your rotation.
View from the back porch tonight...
Dan
