This cigar was enjoyed with Water
Pre-Light: 19 Points of 10 Possible
This was a very nice looking cigar overall. The perfectly smooth Colorado wrapper had a nice oily sheen to it. There were no visible veins and the triple cap was expertly applied. The cigar was stored in my humidor at 70 degrees and 64% RH since receiving it, and it feels nearly perfect. It was firm throughout with no soft spots nor blemishes. The pre-light aromas were predominantly cedar and cinnamon, with just a hint of something floral, almost like black tea.
Lighting and Burn: 15 Points of 15 Possible
I clipped the triple cap with my Xikar V-cutter and it was a nice, clean cut. The tobacco feels very smooth and spicy on my tongue. I toasted the foot briefly and it lit without much more effort. The draw seemed a bit on the tight side of the spectrum, but the smoke volume was perfect. The ash was mottled and very gray, as expected with a good Cuban cigar. The burn was perfect, never wavering from a sharp line. The ash was very solid, hanging on for nearly the entire length of the cigar. It finally fell off when I tried to delicately remove the label, well into the final third. The smoking time was spot on at exactly 1 hour. Too bad it didn't last longer...
Construction: 30 Points of 30 Possible
Try as I may, I could not find any faults in the construction of this one. The draw seemed at first too tight, but I think it was just me trying to find something wrong. It gave off a perfect amount of smoke, never getting beyond warm (really only at the nub). The wrapper was flawlessly applied with not a vein to be found. The cap stayed in tact right up to the end, never flaking or cracking. What can I say other than it was made with the expertise expected of Cuban rollers.
Flavor and Aroma: 32 Points of 45 Possible
On the whole, I would put this cigar in the medium-full category. It was nicely complex, with predominant aromas of cedar, spices and pepper throughout. It had that touch of creaminess that is typical of Cubans, and mixed with the spices and hint of pepper, was reminiscent of a good steak-house pepper sauce. The retrohale was sweet at first, and got significantly spicy as the cigar progressed.
1/3: Spice and cedar up front, with creamy sweetness almost like English toffee. The burn is razor sharp.
2/3: Lots of sweet baking spices, cedar and some subtle pepper that is building. Burn is still perfect, ash is incredibly solid.
3/3: Pepper is now coming to the front nicely, with a hint of coffee and roasted flavor. The woodiness is nearly gone but hanging there as a fond memory. The ash finally fell off, just before it started to burn the band.
Summary
This was an excellent cigar, an instant classic! The age on it has really done it justice, and makes me want it to go on for much longer. I have not had very many Vegas Robaina cigars in the past, but this one has me converted! I smoked it down to the point that I could not hold onto it anymore, and even then I regretted not having a nub tool of some sort. I am very impressed with the overall construction of this one, as with Cuban cigars, the construction can sometimes be questionable. A really fantastic cigar, I am looking forward to smoking more of these in the future!
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(4 Review(s))
