Mega Review - The 12 Robustos of Christmas

[yiorgos]

another great review, i think i am going to order a box of your fav.cigar of the 12 you are reviewing, so no pressure than yiorgos

I hope my choice will be good

[yiorgos]

Another great review, Yiorgos! For the most part, I agree with your assessment of the JL#2. It is a very nice smoke, but not my favourite. I would like to see how these evolve over time, so I am letting the rest of mine sit.

I was disappointed with this one, I think it was just the odd one out of the bunch! But they are renowned for being inconsistent in terms of construction...

By the way, I just checked out your blog. It is well organised and very informative. A joy to read. Keep up the great work, mate!

Thank you, Sir.

[saggel]

awesome reviews Yiorgo

[Boss Hog]

Great job so far, keep it going.

[G-man]

As I stated above, the Seleccion #2?s have been very inconsistent for me, and this one in particular was one of the worse I have had. Although the cigar looked beautiful and the flavours were there in the first half the bad burn was affecting the taste and having to relight it so many times made it unpleasant. The wrapper seemed very thin and burned very slowly, not contributing much to the whole outcome.I am quite generous marking it with 82/100 points, but I will be coming back to it in the near future, hoping that the next one will be better.
Yiorgos
Everybody has a bad day once in awhile and hand made is even more pron to mistakes ! Enjoy another 1 and I'll bet its dead on the money.

[Big J]

Great review. I'm a fan of the JL1 & JL2. I have smoked almost a box of JL2's and they all been really nice.

[Jimmeh]

What do we have today!?

[yiorgos]

Day 4: Vegas Robaina Famoso

The 12 Robustos of Xmas, Day 4:
Vegas Robaina Famoso


Vegas Robaina is one of Habanos SA newer brands. The Robaina family has been growing the finest Cuban wrapper leaves since the beginning of the 21st century and it was only in 1997 that the first Vegas Robaina cigars were introduced to the market. According to Don Alejandro Robaina, his cigars have the "old school" strong and refined flavours. The Famoso is a Hermoso No.4, measuring 127 x 48 ring gauge and is presented in dress boxes of 25 cigars. The cigar in my review seems seems relatively young and fresh (box code is unknown).

Appearance & Prelight 13/15

The famoso is a very well constructed cigar. It has a dry brown wrapper, with a fine texture and some very weak veins. A light green hue is present in some spots. It is well packed, feels solid around the head and the triple cap is rounded and very well applied. Strong aromas of almond and oak are present on the foot of the cigar. Prelight draw is excellent.

Flavour & Body 22/25

On the very first draw, the cigar gives you a distinctive punch of coffee and roasted chestnuts. Smoking through the first half, it gets more sweet, complex and balanced, producing the traditional smooth Robaina flavours; earth, wood and chocolate, followed by coffee and nuts. Medium in body and strength, it never gets too overpowering. As you smoke it further, the flavours become less intense, the body gets fuller and the cigar gets more toasty. It is very enjoyable until the middle of the last third, when it gets slightly hot and harsh.

Draw & Burn 23/25

The draw is great from the very beginning. In the first third, the smoke has a thin texture, but gets fuller as you go further down, leaving a long and sweet aftertaste. The cigar burns evenly and consistently all the way through. The ash is loose on the first third too and falls off quickly, but it is more solid in the second third and reaches more than an inch in length before it falls off, leaving a nice pyramid shaped coal on the cigar.

Overall impression 33/35

The Famoso is a very enjoyable cigar and I have found it to be very consistent. Like all the Robaina cigars, its construction is almost perfect, with the only exception being some green marks found on the wrapper of this cigar. Very enjoyable and smooth, with the body and flavours developing throughout without changing dramatically. The draw and is exceptional and the burn smooth and consistent all the way. Some age would definately be an advantage and could add some more depth and balance.

TOTAL 91/100

[saggel]

great work...

[cj121]

Had some of these earlier in the year Yiorgos and your write up is on the money honey

Sitting on a single still, which will get cremated early part of next year.

[jdawg]

very nice indeed

love the tower of burn pics by the way

[Big J]

Another great review! Very nice chocolate, coffee, nutty, smooth stick. I have a few of these left from 07.

[tippexx]

Excellent work Yiorgos .... have a Famoso in my singles box an' now I'll be reachin' for it!

[yiorgos]

Day 5: H Upmann Connoisseur No.1

The 12 Robustos of Xmas, Day 5:
H.Upmann Connoiseur No.1


I have to admit that I have been ignoring the existence of a Hermoso in the H Upmann range. The Magnum 50 and the 46, the #2 and the Sir Winston have always been, to me, the trademark cigars of H Upmann brand and this is the only of the 12 cigars in this series of reviews that I haven?t smoked before. The Connoiseur No.1 has been in production in more than half a century, from a brand that is one of the oldest in Cuba. Up until 2005, it was presented without a band, changing changing since to the old traditional Montecristo-like band in late 05, to the red from 2006 and finally the newest red and gold from 2007 (which I have found to leave a glitter-like fine dust in the newest cigars!). The cold stormy wind in almost tearing our smoking shed apart, so this one is going to be smoked in a fast pace!

Appearance & Prelight 11/15

The Connoisseur #1 has a light brown smooth and dry wrapper with a yellow/greenish hue. Some veins are present, as well as a few wrinkles and imperfections. The bunch is firm all the way through the cigar, without any soft spots. The prelight draw is good, leaning towards the tight side and very mild aromas of wood are present on th foot of the cigar.

Flavour & Body 24/25

Initially the cigar presents strong flavours of spice and leather. A few puffs later the Connoiseur No.1 develops into a medium to full bodied smoke with complex and intense flavours, Spices, leather, earth and white wood all well balanced, following the tasting profile of the H Upmann marca. From the second third , the leathery flavour becomes more dominant over the rest, making the cigar stronger. It finishes with the same strength and complexity it got in the middle, altering very little, without getting hot or harsh towards the end.

Draw & Burn 22/25

Despite being tightly rolled, the draw on this Connoiseur No.1 is perfect, with the right amount of resistance. Every draw brings ample amounts of thick smoke, with a long and spicy finish. The burn is even and consistent, leaving a long dark grey and firm ash, and a pyramid shaped coal. The only letdown is the wrapper that often cracks and separates from the binder.

Overall impression 33/35

I was very impressed and not surprised by the Connoisseur No.1. A typical H Upmann, it has a full body and intense, complex flavours. It is a cigar that will be more enjoyed after a good dinner and - in case of a similar to today?s storm- in a good, warm shelter. the only downside was the poor quality of the wrapper that did not look good and did not withstand the pace of the burn of the filler and binder. I will definately come back to it, but I will have to choose one with a dark brown and oily wrapper. Bottom line, I really enjoyed this one!

TOTAL 90/100

[saggel]

Another great work! Well done mate!!!