Fall is here and it is a perfect time for another honest cigar review.
Enjoy!
Posts Tagged ‘Robusto’
Oliva Serie G Robusto Natural Review
28
Dec
Twas the night before Christmas and all through the house, not a creature was smoking, not even a mouse (that would be weird)…well, until Mike and I whipped out the cigars and coffee with Bailey’s!
Mike’s brother Dave came over for Christmas and of course, he wanted to enjoy a cigar. So Mike gave him a Graycliff Gold label and his first humidor. Since I have had stogies the previous couple of nights, I decided to try something small. I found this Serie G in the bottom of my humidor and realized I received it last Christmas in an Oliva sampler pack. It was a Cameroon wrapper with Nicaraguan tobacco.
The first thing I noticed about this cigar was its unusual size. This was a 4 1/2 x 50 stick that seemed even smaller because of its nice box-pressed shape. After picking it up, I realized it was very light too. I thought, “Maybe it’s just because I’ve been smoking Toros and Churchhills lately?”
The construction was basically flawless (I found a couple of very tiny spots on the wrapper)! I loved the shade of the wrapper and the label. I also loved the way it fit in my hand with a coffee. In my opinion, it reminded me of a Padron just smaller.
The pre-light had a very natural tobacco taste to it, very clean and naturally sweet.
The first light was very smooth, sweet and perfect with the extra Bailey’s in the coffee (can never have too much Bailey’s). I also believe it drawled flawlessly. It was just like sucking on air! Wonderfully done Oliva!
click on pics for close-ups
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- Loved the box pressed shape!
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- flavor from the first taste.
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- Ash of the Week!
The first third was also sweet and earthy. Very fresh and smooth.
About halfway done (23 minutes) and I classified the Serie G as a medium to mild bodied smoke. During this time I also picked up on some nutty flavors. The cigar never fizzed out on me and I had a nice long ash. Since the cigar was a little bit lighter, I figured the filler would produce a thin and flaky ash. Not at all!
Last third was also quite pleasant. Never bitter like other smokes in the last third. In fact, the Serie G was starting to get creamy! Overall, this was a very good cigar. I would love to smoke another with a coffee.
The Serie G had tons of smooth smoke, earthy, nutty, and creamy notes. It would also be good medium-bodied alternative to the full-bodied Serie V. For only four bucks or five bucks…it is a definite buy-and-try!
After aging it for a year, I rated it a 9 on our 10 point scale.
Feel free to comment or ask questions.
Honestly, James
Padron 1926 No.9 Maduro Review
25
Aug
The other night James came home from college and asked if we could do a “cigar night” together. I happily and willingly accepted. I gave James an Esteban Carreras 187 for his enjoyment. This particular night I treated myself, I had a Padron 1926 #9 Maduro (5 1/4 x 56) that I have had for almost six years in my humidor. My Padron cigar smoked perfectly, it had an easy and flawless draw delivering cool smoke. The flavors I received were pretty typical of the Padron anniversary line. It delivered notes of cocoa, nuts and sweet leather. Padron’s 1964 and 1926 lines have always been one of my favorite cigars that are made in today’s cigar industry.
With the six years of aging, it really mellowed the flavors into a soft but flavorful cigar. I would definitely recommend this patient process, that is, if you can wait.
I rate it 9.5
click on pics for close-ups
honestly, Mike
Oliva Serie V Liga Especial Double Robusto Review
29
Jun
The Oliva Serie V, in my opinion, is probably one of the best selling and most publicized premium cigars on the market. Now, I usually have seen them in the Torpedo or Belicoso size and by the box (a lot of my friends swear by them). I have also seen the V in Cigar Aficionado’s top lists for as long as I can remember reading about cigars. Amazingly though, I have never smoked one! With all of my curiosity and high expectations building, I couldn’t wait to give it my own honest review.
This is a 5X54, and I’ve been aging this stick for about 7 months.
At first sight, I see superb construction. Probably the best looking cigar that I have ever owned…especially at this price! The first thing I spotted was what I believed to be a quadruple cap (which I have never heard of) so correct me if I am wrong but it look fabulous. The pack was perfect, and the shade of the Habano Sun Grown wrapper was a textbook example of what a Habano Sun Grown wrapper should look like. Oily, dark, almost reddish hue, and with some small veins.
The wrapper, binder, and filler are all from Nicaragua. The Serie V is blended with the famous, specially fermented, Jalapa Valley Ligero leaf. In short, it is a Nicaraguan beauty with strength to match.
The pre-light smell was that of a sweet, musty, barn-yard-like scent.
The first draw brings in tastes of deep earth and coffee. Its everything I love about full-bodied smokes. What really surprised me was the long finish, even for just lighting it up. The draw, needless to say, was perfect.
A couple of minutes into the smoke I get more coffee and earth and now dark cocoa sweetness. Also, I think I picked up a hint of leather. I could tell the smoke was going to get even more complex. I love that anticipation.
A third of the way done and the burn was pretty sharp (basically stays that way). The ash is bent slightly but holding nicely (no problems throughout); with the finish just getting longer and longer. This time, I am left a little dry…hardly noted.
I am starting to see why people buy boxes of these. I am trying to find flaws but struggling.
Half-way done and the smoke is performing a balancing act. It has some spice now and it teeters between that and the dark cocoa. You know, I was thinking that since it was a double Ligero it would be very spicy and strong but I am not getting anything harsh or unpleasant. The nicotine levels are spot-on for a well-seasoned smoker. Its just a very complex and well-rounded smoke.
A few minutes pass and I am getting that classic musty tobacco note in the mix.
Right about then, I start to consider buying a box of Robustos or Torpedoes myself. This is a rarity for my college budget.
click on pics for close-ups
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- Looking good!
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- I went a little longer than this. After my smoke, I had a Sunset Wheat! Love it!
With the second third approaching I put it down for awhile to go and prepare a bratwurst and a minute and a half later it was still lit. I love that ability and I prize it highly in a smoke.
The complexity was still growing and I was loving the musty tobacco, deep espresso and earthy sweetness coming from it. Then, the climax hits and all I can say is that I am satisfied. Its strength is controlled and balanced throughout, only this time with a little more spice.
The last third hits and I go and prepare another brat. Unfortunately, during this second stunt, the V went out. I had trouble keeping it lit after that point. There was about a little less than an inch left and the heat was still very bearable as I was finishing.
Overall, a more than great smoke! It held up to my expectations (truly in a “special league”) and it is one that I would definitely consider buying a box for (even on my college budget). I rate this cigar a 9.2. At $5.50 – $6.50 a stick…it has a lot of bang for the buck. Another perk is that you kind find the Serie V almost anywhere. So go get some and enjoy!
honestly, James
Dona Flor Mata Fina Robusto Review
09
Jun
This is the other cigar we recieved from CRB. Not the one I smoked. Looks GREAT!
It was a beautiful Summer night in Michigan. We had no bugs or wind, just good company, chocolate martinis and Cigar from Brazil’s Dona Flor Robusto.
At first sight, I see that there was some slight discoloration and some spots on the Brazilian Mata Fina Maduro shade wrapper also some veins and a small stretch mark. Nothing major…this is to be expected from a sun-grown leaf that is mainly used as a binder (they can be rough looking so it can be tricky to use them as wrappers). Mine may have also been a fluke because the other Robusto we received had no spots or stretch mark. The overall construction wasgreat! It had a beautiful triple cap and a nice pack. The band was simple and elegant, which really sparked my interest in Brazil’s product.
We’ve been aging this 5×52 stick in our humidor for about 6 months.
Right off the bat, the smoke was full with a really short and clean finish. Great draw! The notes were deep earth with sweet grass and undertones of pepper and cocoa. A true Brazilian smoke! It had a way of going from zero to sixty then back to zero with a very short clean finish. Some bite on the nose if you were retro-haling within the first third.
The room note matched the flavors perfectly…with that classic aromatic smell of an inviting cigar.
Halfway through it started to really mellow out into a classic, creamy Cuban style smoke with the earth and sweet grass still staying strong. This is also when the ash started to get flaky,therefore, fall off a little prematurely.
This creamy note really complimented the Baily’s in my chocolate martini along with the chocolate almonds that Mike garnished it with.
Last third came with everything mellowing out into an even more smooth, medium bodied creamy smoke, that really just tickled my fancy! The layers of notes shuffled, with cream as the dominant one. The finish was also getting longer with a little more sweetness (which I love about the Mata Fina wrappers).
I did have to relight it twice but that may have been because I was taking it very slow…I was savoring the last inch. I just loved the crescendo of flavor that developed in this last third!
Click on pics for close-ups.
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- This is the other cigar we recieved from CRB. Not the one I smoked. Looks GREAT!
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- Don Pepin JJ Maduro Mike had.
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- Nubin’ it even after this!
Other than the slight discoloration and a little flaky ash, it was a pretty good smoke. Finished like a Cuban! I would have to rate it a 8.9 out of 10. Not box-worthy in my opinion but certainly a surprise from Brazil and one I would recommend. I bet it would be even more delightful in the Churchill size.
One hundred bucks for a box of 20 Robustos isn’t bad either.
Thank you very much to Wesley Gensel from Cigars from Brazil for the samples to review! I look forward to reviewing more of your pure Brazilian cigars in the future.
Honestly, James
First Spring Smoke 2011
26
Mar
Regardless of it being very cold (probably 33 degrees), my buddy Brian and I decided to make it our first Spring smoke. It was great just hanging on the deck consumed in deep thought and conversation with the guy! The smokes were pretty good too! I had an Oliva Serie O Robusto and I gave Brian a Rocky Patel VUDU Robusto. Unfortunately, all of the splendor was quickly overcome by the wind-chill on his deck…It was a good try though!
The Serie O was very consistent throughout. It had just a smooth and deep note of espresso. It actually left me a little parched at first but mellowed out later on. I bet it would have been even better with a hot coffee especially for such a brisky day. I will have to do a formal review later this summer!
The VUDU I have smoked and I liked a lot! You can check that out in one of the Winter blogs. I will also do a formal review of that this summer so keep your eyes peeled!
click on pictures for close-ups
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- Brian trying to stay warm.
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- just lit
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- half way point
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- We didn’t smoke much after this.
