Casa Magna Colorado Robusto

[Lou3]

The Casa Magna Colorado Robusto is #1 on the Cigar Aficionado 2008 Top 25 list. I smoked one two days ago and another today, and the experience was the same both times: they wouldn't stay lit and were ultimately unsmokable.

It started off with a strong flavor, because it took more flame than usual to light it. By about the fifth draw it calmed down to an unremarkable leather flavor. Soon after, I noticed the wrapper wasn't burning. I gave it a touch-up light, but soon it was burning only on the inside again and then going out no matter how frequently I drew. I went through this cycle a few times. That frequent drawing only overheated the cigar, giving it a strong charred taste as I struggled to keep it lit. So it was a minute of unremarkable leather, then frequent drawing on increasingly charred tobacco. I didn't make it halfway through the cigar before putting it out. It was the same with both cigars. Each cigar was from a different tobacconist, both of whom keep their cigars properly humified.

I assume the ones smoked by Cigar Aficionado stayed lit, but at no point did I get even a hint of flavor that would put this cigar in the company of the other top 25's I tried.

0/70

[cj121]

Something smells Lou, and it doesn't sound like the cigar by the sound of it, as it wouldn't stay lit

It makes you wonder if certain cigars get plugged in more ways than one

It would be interesting to know what year the sticks you tried were: not that we're going to find out what year the sticks CA reviewed (unless someone on here knows)

Shame to hear about the experience mate, although you are not alone. Read down on the page and you'll see the guy had a burn issue too...

http://forums.cigaraficionado.com/eve/forums/a/tpc/f/3306086/m/965107816

[HabanoSy]

Great informative review Lou3

Ever since this puppy was voted Cigar of the year by CA I've been itching to try one. However, they have proved to be rather elusive little B******S this side of the pond and I have struggled to get hold of any.

Even though your review is rather scathing of this smoke I will still try and source, but now after reading your review I think I will definitely go for a single and see what they're like before I commit to a box.

Cheers, HabanoSy

[Gary]

Disappointing indeed to hear about this cigar, think in fact this is the second bad thread about this cigar on this forum. I had intended to pick a couple of these up in September solely on the back of the Cigar Aficionado rating, but don't think I'll bother now, and just spend my money on tried and tested non cubans.

[cj121]

I've hopefully got some on the way and will post up my experience too.

[cj121]

Must have got lucky?

I've just finished the CA's number one stick of 2008, the Casa Magna Colorado Robusto (slightly over-sized I reckon).

I've read nothing but sh!te about this cigar, unless you take into acount CA's review, both here and elsewhere on the 'net: poor burn and relighting issues.

I must have got faaaargin lucky!

I really quiet enjoyed this smoke: it had THAT (cue indescribable taste sensation debated elsewhere on the forum) rumbling through from the off. Even the first draw was reminiscent of something familiar. I'm not saying this tasted like a Cuban, but it was nice. It built up behavedly as we went along and actually got a little too strong mid last third.

No pre-draw or mid stick blues today, it smoked well. No relighting, even after leaving it to get two lots of washing off the line. Ahem, sorry, I mean a quick lifting heavy weights and farting whilst bench-pressing session

The wrapper curled around the ash huggingly, which I thought 'neat'. Looking at the construction as it burned, it is appreciated how some lighting issues have crept into production, as the stick was relatively tightly rolled through its core, but looser towards the outside.

Anyhow, enough twaddle, here's two pics...





A completely different experience to Lou, which whilst bizarre, may be indicative of QC issues with these sticks as a few people have had trouble with them.
TTFN

[Lou3]

CJ, I too am wondering about QC. CA and you obviously got a better cigar than I did, so I'll probably take another go at it for the sake of experiencing this cigar in its better form.

[whisky77]

Casa Magna Toro.

CJ sent me one of these and it was a superb smoke IMO.
I have very limited experience with anything of a NC nature but this is a nice big earthy smoke with no burn issues or problems with the wrapper, infact construction was first class.

Best NC I have smoked for a long while.

[G-man]

Very nicely put ! Best NC I have smoked for a long while.
NC have grown up since the Boom and are into quality control over mass production.
Solely because we as the consumers learmed alot during that time and those who just wanted to smoke cigars cause it was cool faded and the more experianced smoker refused to support anyone producing a subpar cigar!
But?(always a heckler in the crowd) Do you think it deserves the honor of Best cigar of the year?

[MaledettoToscano]

But?(always a heckler in the crowd) Do you think it deserves the honor of Best cigar of the year?

Yay G-Man, let's stir things up against CA
Jokes apart, reviews and guides, buing for cigars, wine, restaurant or whatever more represent somone's opinion and to me they are the more successfull the more discussion they generate.

In choosing the Casa Magna as 2008's cigar of the year, CA has struck gold... they will pretty soon release the 2009 list and we're still talking about 2008!

[monkey66]

Standing on the outside, none of the people who have smoked it seem to be saying it is the best stick they have smoked this year?

[rokkitsci]

I Hate All of You!

After much agonizing, strict discipline, and frantic puffing I was finally able to reduce my humidor farm to a mere 11 storage units, down from 16. You have no idea how difficult this process was. It involved smoking more than I was buying; much like being on a diet to lose weight. And I was successful!

So along come you bloody Limey bastards with your offers of "El Grande de Fermento Especiales only..." and "A fiver of Mucho Gusto de Fumar, a steal for just..." which I cannot seem to refuse, and now...!!!

I don't read CA. But I do read this fooping forum. Religiously. Now all this hoopla about the Casa Magna: It's great! It's gross! It's sublime! It's shite!

Welp, only one way to find out for sure.

So, not only am I buying all the frickin' offers you bloody blokes are putting up, but now I'm harvesting domestic products again as well! I don't have the humidor space, chappies! Give me a bloody break, willya?

All right. Will have to fire up the ol' Mega-Puffer and suck down some of my existing stock since I found a reasonable price (texcigars.com) for a fiver of the Colorado Robusto and couldn't help but notice that there was also (prepare thyselves) something called a Casa Magna Extraodinarious, weighing in at a magnificent 7 x 58!! {shudder with anticipation} of which I have also contracted to receive a fiver.

Oh, and did I mention that I hate all of you?

The Casa Magna Colorado Robusto is #1 on the Cigar Aficionado 2008 Top 25 list.

[roughrider]

I smoked 2 and they're good cigars for the money.

[Kdot]

I was sent one by our very own Gman a few months a go but only smoked it last week.

I didnt experience any real burn issues, had to correct it a couple of times but that was it.

IMO it was a good cigar but not great, far from the cigar of the year. I wont be rushing out for a box any time soon but definately worth a try.

[Lou3]

I smoked a Casa Magna corona today, and it was a much better experience this time. It lit easily and stayed lit, burned evenly, and was a delicious smoke with a nice finish. I can only assume there were quality control issues with the first two I tried. The corona wasn't the equal of some of the better Cubans I've smoked, but it's a solid choice for the price. A+ this time.