Mega Review - The 12 Robustos of Christmas

[yiorgos]

Hi Guys,

I hope you all had a good day yesterday and that Santa was good to all of you!

To keep myself busy over the festive season, I have decided to run a mega review of 12 different cigars, one on each of the 12 days of Christmas. The cigars will be the 12 robustos currently in Habanos regular production. They will be marked on a 100 point scale and I will post the reviews both on my blog and this forum. The first review will be posted on December 26th and last on January 6th.

Please feel free to comment, compare your own tasting notes and agree or disagree with me.

Thank you

[yiorgos]

Day 1: Trinidad Robusto T

The 12 Robustos of Christmas Day 1:
December 26th 2009 - Trinidad Robusto T

Christmas has now been and gone, and we are in the first of the 12 days of Christmas. I have actually been looking forward to this day, so much that I didn't smoke a cigar on Christmas day, in order to keep my taste buds fresh for the first review!

The first cigar to be reviewed in this series of reviews is the Trinidad Robusto T, the newest robusto in the Habanos regular production, and the first ever robusto of the brand. The first -and only- time I smoked a robusto T, I was so impressed that I boldly stated that I would rate it 93-94 points. With the expectations being very high, I will review my second Robusto T and see if it will meet the standards set on our first encounter.

Appearance 14/15

The Robusto T is a beautiful cigar, following the high standards the Trinidad marca. It has a light brown smooth and oily wrapper, with some weak veins. The bunch is very firm, with no soft, or even spongy, spots. The cap is perfectly placed, with the pigtail giving it a nice effect. Light aromas of earth are present on the foot of the cigar. The prelight draw is perfect, giving the right amount of drag, despite the solid bunch.

Flavor & Body 22/25

The cigar stars with a medium body and well balanced flavours of wood, coffee and earth. The texture is thick and it has a very long and creamy finish. It definately reminds you of a good Trinidad Robusto Extra. Smoking into the second third, the flavours become even more complex, with grass and cedar now also detectable. Towards the end, grass and cedar flavours seem to cover everything else. Still creamy and medium bodied, the Robusto T finishes almost as enjoyable but not as complex as it started.

Smoke & Burn 24/25

The draw and burn in the Robusto T is simply flawless from start to finish. The burn is even and firm grey ash is formed on the bottom of the cigar until it reaches a third of its length. It delivers thick and creamy smoke all the way through, with a long finish. Although the cigar is very tightly packed, the draw is consistent all the way through.

Overall Impression 33/35

Although young, the Robusto T is a cigar that can be smoked and enjoyed right now. It's complexity and balance put it ahead of its competition. On the downside, the only thing the cigar lacks is a kick, a fuller body. This however should not take anything out of the pleasure that this cigar has to offer and overall I can admit that my judgement on my first encounter with this cigar was correct. There is definately some aging potential on this cigar too, time could refine it even more and give it this extra bit of power that can make it a classic. If you are a big fan of Trinidad, this is a cigar you will love!

TOTAL 93/100

[peanutpete]

nice review yiorgos i look forward to thr next 11

[Ryan]

Nice review Yiorgos, keep them coming.

[Robusto]

Your review makes me want to try one, Sir.

[Drewmidorn]

Ditto Bryan

[G-man]

A very enjoyable review ! Bring on to the next 11 .

[jdawg]

Excellent review, mate! Keep them coming.

[Big J]

Great review, mate! Looking forward to reading the rest of your reviews.

[yiorgos]

Thanks guys. Tomorrow's robusto will be a Choix Supreme...

Nice review Yiorgos, keep them coming.

Thanks for the contribution Andy

[cj121]

Excellent idea and review Yiorgos.
Thanks for taking the time over this series

[whisky77]

Extra?

First class review indeed.I totally agree with your comment regarding taste and body

"the Robusto T finishes almost as enjoyable but not as complex as it started".

I really enjoyed the T, but given the choice i would still opt for the Robusto Extra, based on the fact I feel the flavour is more intense especially in the middle section of the cigar.

[Seriesteve]

I've tried a couple of these from a box OUS Jun 09
I commented at the time that they were a little harsh and overly spicy, but with potential to be a great Cigar,and that I wouldnt touch them again till the New Year
Well after reading your fantastic review (and it's close enough to New Year) I've decided to have another today, if you dont mind I'll let you know my comments
SS

[yiorgos]

Day 2: El Rey Del Mundo Choix Supr?me

The 12 Robustos of Christmas, Day 2:
December 27th - El Rey Del Mundo Choix Supr?me

The El Rey del Mundo Choix Supr?me is one of the remaining four vitolas of the marca, and has been in regular production since the 1950’s. Interestingly, the cigar was called Fox Selecci?n No.47 until the mid 1970’s, when the Cubans decided to give it a hard to pronounce French name. Although widely being referred to as a robusto, the Choix Supr?me is a Hermoso No.4, measuring 48 x 127. It is well renowned for its huge aging potential; with 10 or more years on its back, the Choix Supr?me is a good smoke. The cigar I will be reviewing today though, is only a year old and it will be interesting to see how it tastes young.

Appearance & Prelight 13/15

The Choix Supr?me is very well constructed cigar. It has a beautiful smooth, dark and oily wrapper with no rough veins. It well filled, with a firm texture and no hard or soft spots. The cap is well constructed and mild aromas are present on the foot of the cigar. The prelight draw is good, which is a relief, as these can often be on the tight side.

Flavor & Body 20/25

On the very first draw, the Choix Supr?me gives you an unusual intense spicy flavour. Quickly enough, the spice disappears, and the cigar mellows down. Sweet, floral and earthy flavours are present, with mild tones of grass. The body is mild at the beginning, getting a little more intense smoking towards the second third, while the cigar looses most of its initial balance and complexity. A slight bitterness appears towards the end, altering the rest of the flavours, with some acidic also being present. It is obvious that this cigar is crying for some age!

Smoke & Burn 21/25

The cigar draws well from start to finish and delivers a good amount of thick smoke with a short and sweet aftertaste. The burn is slightly uneven but does not affect the way the cigar smokes. The ash is firm, grey in colour, and falls off after reaching an inch or more of length, leaving a flat coal on the cigar. On the last third, for no obvious reason, the cigar starts burning very slow, which affects it flavour and the overall experience.

Overall Impression 31/35

The Choix Supreme is a pleasant smoke, that wont set the world on fire… It mild to medium profile as well as its sweet flavours, would make it a good choice for a beginner. The last third with the bland flavours and the slow burning, really affects the overall picture of the cigar. With a lot of years on its back, the cigar is very enjoyable so my advise is if you have some in your humidor, do yourself a favour and leave them there for as long as you can!

TOTAL 85/100

[yiorgos]

Well after reading your fantastic review (and it's close enough to New Year) I've decided to have another today, if you dont mind I'll let you know my comments
SS

Absolutely, I hope you enjoy it as much as I did