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Cohiba
Robusto
made in: Santiago, Dominican Republic
size : 5 x 49
wrapper: Cameroon
filler : Dominican
binder : Indonesia
price : $11.50
Appearance = poor fair good outstanding perfect
Michael: xx
Keith : xx
Scott : xx
Michael said - Nice, darkish, oily and "toothy" (cameroon?)
wrapper with only a few imperfections. Looks
like a DR Partagas or Montecruz.
Keith said - Semi-smooth, slightly oily wrapper with very
little veining.
Scott said - This cigar had a slight oily sheen on a
beautiful cameroon wrapper. It appeared to have
a slight box press that had relaxed out. Pre
-lighting aroma was very musty and earthy.
Construction = poor fair good outstanding perfect
Michael: xx
Keith : xx
Scott : xx
Michael said - Firm, but not too hard. A bit soft at the cap.
Slightly box pressed appearance.
Keith said - Well rolled cigar with no soft spots or bumps.
No major flaws. Fair looking cap.
Scott said - Slight soft spot in the middle. Well rolled and
capped with barely noticeable veins.
Burn = very uneven uneven even very even
Michael: xx
Keith : xx
Scott : xx
Problems = runners tunneling got soft split/unraveled
Michael:
Keith : [none reported by any taster]
Scott :
Ash Color = black dark grey light grey white
Michael: xx
Keith : xx --------- xx
Scott : xx
Ash Structure = flaky typical very solid
Michael: xx
Keith : xx ----- xx
Scott : xx
Draw = too easy easy perfect tight plugged
Michael: xx
Keith : xx
Scott : xx
Aroma = rank! poor fair good great
Michael: xx
Keith : xx
Scott : xx
Smoked to = left>=1/2 1/3 to band <band nub
Michael: xx
Keith : xx
Scott : xx
Strength = bland mild medium full powerful
Michael: xx
Keith : xx ---- xx
Scott : xx
Taste =
Michael said - Damp earth, classic Dominican tobacco flavors.
Some pleasant woody notes (mahogany?) in the
aroma. Slight medicinal note in the first half,
perhaps some aging would help.
Keith said - Mild hazelnut flavors that strengthened only
slightly with time. Very one dimensional.
Scott said - Earthy and leathery from the start, with a very
sweet, citrusy, chocolate aroma. About midway
the cigar developed coffee flavors and a subtle
citrus flavor as well. Very creamy, silky
smooth, short finish, This cigar started &
stayed mild throughout, yet the flavors were
well balanced & not overpowering.
Overall Impression =
Michael said - Improved a lot in second half. This is a fairly
good cigar that might benefit from more time in
a humidor.
Keith said - Overall this was a fair constructed cigar with
no major flaws. Although this cigar does not
satisfy what I look for in a good cigar, it
would be a good cigar for those who enjoy mild,
simple, no problem cigars.
Scott said - Though a bit mild, a very nice cigar. Huge
volumes of smoke with an excellent aroma &
taste. The only downside I noticed is that the
draw was almost, but not quite, too easy.
Would you recommend this cigar
as one to try based on your blind taste???
(Editors Note - remember these
guys don't have a clue what cigar they just smoked or what it
costs.)
Michael said - yes
Keith said - no
Scott said - yes
Cohiba
Robusto
SCALE
YOWZA!!!
Great Smoke <--- Scott
Good Cigar <--- Michael
Decent/Worthy
Ho-Hum <--- Keith
Blah...
Dog Rocket!
Editor's
2 Cents - This is the newest incarnation
of the Dominican made Cohiba. General Cigars completely overhauled
this brand with new sizes, new red/black packaging and
artwork, and most importantly, a totally new blend in
a dark Cameroon wrapper. In fact, it was General's "Star
Cigar" of 1997 and I must admit I say that somewhat
tongue in cheek. For each of the last four years this
company has delivered to the market a new cigar with
a mega-media blitz behind it: Partagas 150 (1995), Macanudo
Multi-Year Vintage (1996), Cohiba (1997), and now the new
Macunudo Robust for 1998.
This remake of the Cohiba replaced their old three cigar
line with a vibrant ten cigar line-up that includes
the Cohiba Robusto. Right off the bat you will notice
its dark and toothy Cameroon wrapper and slight box
pressed shape. Overall this is a well-made cigar. It scores high
marks in burn, draw, and ash departments. This is a very
balanced blend that delivers a wonderfully smooth and
creamy smoke to the palate. Oddly enough there is very
little of the spice you would of expected from the wrapper.
From the beginning to the end, this is a mild smoke that
delivers a pleasing harmonious flavor to the taste buds.
Complaints? I have a few: It is too mild for many hardcore
cigar smokers. If you are smoking Hondurans regularly,
this cigar will most likely leave you "underwhelmed."
Personally, I think this cigar would have been better
served with a new original brand name rather than adopting
the Cuban one - it just simply can not overcome the mystique
of that legendary Havana brand. And finally, this cigar
is outrageously priced at $11+ each. In short, it is
an excellent mild cigar, but the marketing blitz and
its associated costs have really hamstrung the Dominican
Cohiba Robusto from being truly successful. Granted
this is just my opinion, and I am sure there are a dozen "suits"
at General Cigars that could give stunning PowerPoint presentations
proving me wrong.
Punch
Super Rothschilds
made in: Cofradia, Honduras
size : 5 1/4 x 50
wrapper: Ecuador
filler : Dominican Republic, Honduras, Nicaragua
binder : Honduras
price : $4.05
Appearance = poor fair good outstanding perfect
Michael: xx
Keith : xx
Scott : xx
Michael said - Dark wrapper with some medium exposed veins. Cap
is crudely attached and is obviously from a
different leaf than the wrapper.
Keith said - Slightly toothy brownish wrapper with a reddish
hue; slightly oily wrapper has very little
veining.
Scott said - Gorgeous oily colorado wrapper with lots of
tooth. If this cigar smokes half as good as it
looks & smells, then I'm in for a real treat!
Construction = poor fair good outstanding perfect
Michael: xx
Keith : xx
Scott : xx
Michael said - Well filled, roundish cigar that is solid and
even.
Keith said - Nice even construction with a better than
average cap. No soft spots or bumps.
Scott said - Almost seamless & well wrapped. Firm & full to
the touch.
Burn = very uneven uneven even very even
Michael: xx
Keith : xx
Scott : xx
Problems = runners tunneling got soft split/unraveled
Michael: xx
Keith :
Scott : xx (but recovered nicely)
Ash Color = black dark grey light grey white
Michael: xx
Keith : xx --------- xx
Scott : xx
Ash Structure = flaky typical very solid
Michael: xx
Keith : xx
Scott : xx
Draw = too easy easy perfect tight plugged
Michael: xx
Keith : xx
Scott : xx
Aroma = rank! poor fair good great
Michael: xx
Keith : xx ----- xx
Scott : xx
Smoked to = left>=1/2 1/3 to band <band nub
Michael: xx
Keith : xx
Scott : xx
Strength = bland mild medium full powerful
Michael: xx
Keith : xx
Scott : xx
Taste =
Michael said - A one trick pony, this cigar builds intensity
slowly. The straight-forward tobacco flavor with
a touch of hay remained consistent to the end.
Except for a slight grassiness, nothing overly
disagreeable about it. Just not very complex or
exciting. Got a bit soft and hot in the second
half.
Keith said - Medium bodied smoke with a consistent spicy
flavor throughout the cigar; even finish.
Scott said - Pre-lighting taste had a hint of pepper, but it
never materialized in smoking it. First 1/3 of
this cigar was straight forward tobacco with a
subtle espresso/burnt coffee flavor. About 1/2
way, this cigar developed a citrus and toasted
nut flavor that remained to the nub. Lots of
creamy, nutty smoke.
Overall Impression =
Michael said - Lacked the complexity and nuance of a great
cigar. This is a decent fishing or golf cigar.
If I were pressed to guess, I would say it is a
somewhat young Honduran.
Keith said - An overall average medium body cigar that
neither takes away, nor contributes to a
memorable cigar experience.
Scott said - A very smooth medium bodied cigar with a short,
leathery and woody finish and nice complex
coffee/nut flavors. Excellent hand and mouth
feel and a treat to look at, as well.
Would you recommend this cigar
as one to try based on your blind taste???
(Editors Note - remember these
guys don't have a clue what cigar they just smoked or what it
costs.)
Michael said - no
Keith said - no
Scott said - yes
Punch
Super Rothschilds
SCALE
YOWZA!!!
Great Smoke <--- Scott
Good Cigar
Decent/Worthy <--- Michael & Keith
Ho-Hum
Blah...
Dog Rocket!
Editor's
2 Cents - The slightly oversized Punch Super
Rothschilds has been part of the venerable line Honduran Punch
line for many years. It is a favorite amongst many pre-Boom Honduran
cigar smokers, but has become nearly impossible to obtain in
the last few years. While the other stock Punch cigars come in
their simple blue dress boxes, the Super Rothschild comes packed
in a cedar cabinet with no cellophane sleeves on the cigars.
The pre-light bouquet of this stogie is exquisite on the
nose. A slight reddish hue graces the lightly veined, but papery
wrapper. The draw is effortless in producing huge volumes of
dense smoke. The flavor is earthy and sweet with a lightly spiced
taste. It leaves a sugary taste on your lips with each puff.
The finish is long with strong notes of cedar, but does turn
slightly sour after a minute or so making the aftertaste less
than stellar. The cigars used in this review were three years
old and at about their peak.
I was somewhat surprised that two of this month's tasters
were not impressed with the complexity of this cigar. Although
not a great cigar, it possesses more nuances than your average
Honduran robusto. A word of warning though, these cigars do require
a minimum of six months of aging to be palatable. All in all,
the Punch Super Rothschilds is a good cigar that is well worth
sampling if you have the opportunity.
AF
Double Chateau Fuente Sungrown
made in: Santiago, Dominican Republic
size : 6 3/4 x 50
wrapper: Ecuador
filler : Dominican Republic
binder : Dominican Republic
price : $4.65
Appearance = poor fair good outstanding perfect
Michael: xx
Keith : xx
Scott : xx
Michael said - Another rather dark, colorado wrapper. The oily,
nearly streaked appearance is a promising sign.
Cap is very smooth and professionally applied.
Keith said - Beautiful dark oily wrapper with slight veining.
Scott said - Really a nice looking stick, though the cap was
a bit sloppy. A very oily maduro wrapper. Pre
-light taste had a slightly peppery bite.
Construction = poor fair good outstanding perfect
Michael: xx
Keith : xx
Scott : xx
Michael said - A couple of soft spots, but overall it is a
solid stogie.
Keith said - Very well constructed cigar that had a firm feel
between the fingers. No soft spots or bumps.
Very nice cap.
Scott said - Well rolled, except for an indentation running
from the cap toward the foot for about an inch -
almost like something was pressing against it
for a while.
Burn = very uneven uneven even very even
Michael: xx
Keith : xx
Scott : xx
Problems = runners tunneling got soft split/unraveled
Michael: xx
Keith :
Scott :
Ash Color = black dark grey light grey white
Michael: xx
Keith : xx
Scott : xx
Ash Structure = flaky typical very solid
Michael: xx
Keith : xx
Scott : xx
Draw = too easy easy perfect tight plugged
Michael: xx
Keith : xx
Scott : xx
Aroma = rank! poor fair good great
Michael: xx
Keith : xx ----- xx
Scott : xx
Smoked to = left>=1/2 1/3 to band <band nub
Michael: xx
Keith : xx
Scott : xx
Strength = bland mild medium full powerful
Michael: xx ---- xx
Keith : xx
Scott : xx ---- xx
Taste =
Michael said - Sweet and perfumy, this cigar had a cloying
sweetness that I detected on my lips and tongue,
as well as in the aroma. There was also a
perfumy, almost sandalwood aroma. I did not
enjoy this smoke.
Keith said - Slight fruity flavor with tobacco overtones that
develop only slightly.
Scott said - First few draws had a distinct pepper flavor,
but that faded. The strength and flavor of this
cigar seemed to increase noticeably. Good solid
tobacco flavor with a spicy sweetness. Aroma was
outstanding; spicy & reminded me of the smell of
bread baking.
Overall Impression =
Michael said - I'm sure this style of cigar appeals to some
smokers, I just don't happen to be one of them.
A bit too much on the aromatic side, not enough
leather, spice, or earth.
Keith said - A medium body cigar without any real endearing
qualities. A case of a cigar looking much better
than it smokes. I found myself working just to
get through this cigar.
Scott said - Wow - at first this cigar had quite an initial
kick (either that or dinner wasn't sitting quite
right). A very tasty cigar I enjoyed immensely,
although I am really at a loss to identify
individual flavors - it was very well balanced!
Would you recommend this cigar
as one to try based on your blind taste???
(Editors Note - remember these
guys don't have a clue what cigar they just smoked or what it
costs.)
Michael said - no
Keith said - no
Scott said - yes
AF
Double Chateau Fuente Sungrown
SCALE
YOWZA!!!
Great Smoke <--- Scott
Good Cigar
Decent/Worthy
Ho-Hum
Blah... <--- Michael & Keith
Dog Rocket!
Editor's
2 Cents - This is the third month in a row
we have taste tested a new cigar offering from Arturo Fuente
y Cia. They keep introducing new cigars and given their tremendous
consumer market impact I find myself compelled to add them to
the review. The "newest" new Fuente is their addition
to the popular Chateau series with the Double Chateau Fuente
Sungrown. Basically it is the same cigar, but sporting a new
sun grown Ecuadorian wrapper.
The wrapper is simply beautiful - dark and lush with a
tremendous amount of oil, you can actually feel the slickness
between your fingertips. As with the entire Chateau line, it
is well constructed and exhibits good smoking characteristics;
ie. burn, draw, etc. However, this is where my love affair with
this cigar ends. The initial flavor is harsh and biting, but
after an inch or so this cigar's flavor becomes flat and distastefully
sweet, "cloying" is the perfect description for this
cigar. It never really develops any worthwhile taste or body
and is a real chore to smoke.
To date, I have only smoked one box worth of these cedar-sleeved
churchills, but my initial impressions of this cigar have all
been poor. Granted these sticks are young, so I have set aside
another box and will give it a second shot in about year's time.
Also, I want you to be aware that some of the buzz on this cigar
is favorable, plus as you read above, Scott, really enjoyed this
smoke himself. With all of this in mind, I suggest you give one
a try for yourself, but I wouldn't commit to buying an entire
box of Double Chateau Sungrowns until you have tried a few singles
first.
By the way, one of the most interesting aspects of this
particular tasting was Keith's listing of this cigar as one of
his favored "dailies" when compared to his blind tasting
results.
La
Flor Dominicana El Jocko
made in: Santiago, Dominican Republic
size : 4 1/2 x 54
wrapper: USA/Connecticut
filler : Dominican Republic & Nicaragua
binder : Dominican Republic
price : $5.95
Appearance = poor fair good outstanding perfect
Michael: xx
Keith : xx
Scott : xx
Michael said - I checked it outstanding in appearance because
there was no category called "bizarre."
Seriously, this cigar is shaped almost like a
bowling pin. Actually I like figurados, so this
one wins my heart, if not my palate. Very nice
Connecticut shade wrapper.
Keith said - A beautiful shape for a small cigar that only
adds to the smoking experience. Light colored
flawless wrapper.
Scott said - Nice looking figurado. Noticeable veins,
although not too large. This shape is unique to
my experience, it's got to be a La Flor
Dominicana El Jocko.
Construction = poor fair good outstanding perfect
Michael: xx
Keith : xx
Scott : xx
Michael said - Very solid construction. I love the little
"girdle" that squeezes the foot in.
Keith said - Simply outstanding.
Scott said - Appears to be well rolled and capped. It was
firm, with no noticeable soft spots. Pre
-lighting aroma was very pleasant.
Burn = very uneven uneven even very even
Michael: xx
Keith : xx
Scott : xx
Problems = runners tunneling got soft split/unraveled
Michael:
Keith : [none reported by any taster]
Scott :
Ash Color = black dark grey light grey white
Michael: xx
Keith : xx
Scott : xx
Ash Structure = flaky typical very solid
Michael: xx
Keith : xx
Scott : xx
Draw = too easy easy perfect tight plugged
Michael: xx
Keith : xx
Scott : xx
Aroma = rank! poor fair good great
Michael: xx
Keith : xx
Scott : xx
Smoked to = left>=1/2 1/3 to band <band nub
Michael: xx
Keith : xx
Scott : xx
Strength = bland mild medium full powerful
Michael: xx ---- xx
Keith : xx ---- xx
Scott : xx
Taste =
Michael said - I immediately liked this cigar's flavor, right
out of the gate. Classic DR flavors. Quite
toasty, with leather and cedar. Just the
slightest hint of grassiness. Natural tobacco
sweetness in the aroma, almost a subtle and
exotic vanilla thing. I am quite biased toward
Habanos, but I really enjoyed this smoke.
Keith said - Voluminous amounts of smooth creamy smoke with a
woody character. Flavor consistent down to the
nub. Great finish.
Scott said - Very mild and earthy. Straight-forward mild
tobacco flavor - very flat and one dimensional.
Finish was light to almost non-existent. Aroma
of this cigar seemed to promise more than this
cigar delivered in taste.
Overall Impression =
Michael said - I like this cigar!
Keith said - Well balanced, mild-to-medium bodied jewel. This
is an excellent cigar to start off the day with
a large cup of 100% Kona. Although I prefer this
cigar with a maduro wrapper, the natural wrapper
will provide anyone with 40 minutes of smoking
pleasure.
Scott said - If this was an El Jocko, then I am disappointed
by the natural. I have had many in maduro and
none were this tight. This cigar was virtually
all aroma and little taste.
Would you recommend this cigar
as one to try based on your blind taste???
(Editors Note - remember these
guys don't have a clue what cigar they just smoked or what it
costs.)
Michael said - yes
Keith said - yes
Scott said - no
La
Flor Dominicana El Jocko
SCALE
YOWZA!!!
Great Smoke <--- Michael
Good Cigar <--- Keith
Decent/Worthy
Ho-Hum <--- Scott
Blah...
Dog Rocket!
Editor's
2 Cents - La Flor Dominicana line of cigars
has been continually growing since its introduction in 1994.
Currently they offer six differing lines of unique cigars and
their cigar maker, Litto Gomez, shows no sign of slowing down.
On of their primary offerings is the La Flor Domincana El Jocko.
The El Jocko is an instantly recognizable short perfecto
shape with a broad flared then constricted foot. This molded
figurado with its clean shade wrapper is a real example of the
cigar maker's art to behold. The construction is superb throughout.
As one of our tasters noted, this cigar delivers the classic
Dominican Connecticut Shade wrapped cigar taste: mild, woodsy,
and with a slight grassiness or haylike quality. It produces
a sweet cedar-like aroma that is pleasing. Overall, it is an
great little figurado shape, but is nothing exceptional in the
flavor department.
I agree 100% with our tasters, the maduro version of the
El Jocko is a far better smoke. The different wrapper adds an
element of body to this cigar that provides a desirable earthy
dimension to this petite perfecto. I suggest you try them both
and see what you think.
Habana
Davidoff Chateau Latour
made in: Havana, Cuba until 1992
size : 5 1/2 x 42
wrapper: Cuba
filler : Cuba
binder : Cuba
price : $40.00+
Appearance = poor fair good outstanding perfect
Michael: xx
Keith : xx
Scott : xx
Michael said - Dead ringer for a Havana. Nice dusty looking
colorado claro wrapper with just a few (tell
tale) green spots. The cap is absolutely
perfect.
Keith said - Beautiful cigar with a very smooth and
consistent wrapper. Very slight veining.
Scott said - The middle of this cigar had a few veins, which
looked almost like stitches, but did not detract
from the overall appearance or smoking quality.
Construction = poor fair good outstanding perfect
Michael: xx
Keith : xx
Scott : xx
Michael said - Very solid and well packed. This cigar has a
hard spot that is of concern. Round (not
pressed) and with heft for its size.
Keith said - Well rolled cigar. Firm in the fingers. No soft
spots or bumps. Excellent cap.
Scott said - The wrapper seemed very fragile, and was flaking
a bit by the foot.
Burn = very uneven uneven even very even
Michael: xx
Keith : xx
Scott : xx
Problems = runners tunneling got soft split/unraveled
Michael:
Keith : [none reported by any taster]
Scott :
Ash Color = black dark grey light grey white
Michael: xx
Keith : xx
Scott : xx
Ash Structure = flaky typical very solid
Michael: xx
Keith : xx
Scott : xx
Draw = too easy easy perfect tight plugged
Michael: xx
Keith : xx
Scott : xx
Aroma = rank! poor fair good great
Michael: xx
Keith : xx
Scott : xx
Smoked to = left>=1/2 1/3 to band <band nub
Michael: xx
Keith : xx
Scott : xx
Strength = bland mild medium full powerful
Michael: xx
Keith : xx ---- xx
Scott : xx
Taste =
Michael said - I smoked this nice little cigar after a big
meal, which may not have been appropriate. It
was medium bodied, if a bit light. Good nicotine
strength, though. Reminds me of a RyJ Cedros or
an H. Upmann. Nice cedar and leather aromas.
Somewhat dry finish, but tasty. Also detected a
hint of nutmeg.
Keith said - A dry creamy like smoke that produced a
consistent toasted sesame taste from the first
puff to the nub.
Scott said - Very mild with a subtle spiciness & hints of
something (nutmeg? herbs?) Aroma was very fruity
with a spicy sweetness. Developed a short
peppery finish about 1/2 way, with a distinct
coffee taste. Last 1/3 lost the peppery finish &
became more leathery.
Overall Impression =
Michael said - A very nice lunch cigar! Somewhat complex, but
lacks the bass notes of a larger cigar. I think
this has some age on it.
Keith said - I included this cigar as the leadoff hitter in
my Thanksgiving Day lineup. I must say that it
was a great way to start off the morning with
and more than held its own among the fuller,
more complex island smokes that were to follow
that day. It took very little effort to smoke
and never burned hot. Some signs of the wrapper
splitting at the band, but it had no negative
affect. A great prelude to a wonderful day.
Scott said - Though a slightly tight draw, by no means
unsmokable. Surprisingly complex for such a mild
cigar, each 1/3 tasted different. Flavors were
very subtle and light. This cigar was a decent
steady smoke, but is lacking something; it just
did not "wow" me.
Would you recommend this cigar
as one to try based on your blind taste???
(Editors Note - remember these
guys don't have a clue what cigar they just smoked or what it
costs.)
Michael said - yes
Keith said - yes
Scott said - yes
Habana
Davidoff Chateau Latour
SCALE
YOWZA!!!
Great Smoke <--- Michael & Keith
Good Cigar
Decent/Worthy <--- Scott
Ho-Hum
Blah...
Dog Rocket!
Editor's
2 Cents - The Habana Davidoff Chateau Latour
was the classic corona size cigar of this legendary Cuban brand.
This brand was known for its creamy mild texture while retaining
its Cuban essence. Originally this cigar was made as part of
the Hoyo de Monterrey line, but in 1970 it was adopted as part
of the Cuban Davidoff series of cigars. Its production was shifted
to the El Laguito factory, but sadly discontinued in 1992 due
to a dispute between Cubatabaco, since named Habanos SA, and
Davidoff.
The cigars used in our taste test were nearly a decade
old and slightly tattered due to their shifting hands between
various collectors. As is common with the Cuban Davidoffs, the
wrapper is a thin silky light colorado leaf with small veins.
Time has left its wrapper with a dusky appearance, but its triple
cap is as perfect now as it was when boxed so long ago. This
is a cigar that demands its own moment. If smoked between other
cigars or with too heavy a libation, its charm will be lost upon
most palates. It offers the smoker a dry austere smoke that is
elusively rich. Although mild in strength it still retains considerable
body given its original blend. This is one of those cigars that
you can really taste its age. The aroma is simply heavenly.
Keith got lucky and chose this as his first smoke of a
holiday filled with fine cigars. That was a perfect selection
in my mind. Although mild and aged, this cigar is undeniably
Cuban. These are extremely rare cigars and even when found their
price is undeniably punitive to the smoker's wallet. If you are
ever afforded the luxury of smoking this historic corona do not
squander it. Allow yourself solitude so you can reflect on the
majesty of the Habana Davidoff Chateau Latour and mourn its loss
from humidors worldwide.
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