Tweet
Since I only just joined, I thought of starting by writing a short review of one of my favourites, the Monte Pascoal Robusto.
Details:
The cigar is a Brazilian puro consisted exclusively of Mata Fina. With a size of 4 7/8 x 50 it preempties for a nice long smoke. It is a medium flavour and bodied cigar. This far the average smoking time has been between 70 and 90 minutes. I'd like to say that this review is based on three cigars, but this robusto has been a part of my weekly rotation for the past four months so I've tried it in numerous occasions. The wrapper has a nice red-ish tone and the overal cigar look is veiny. However, a closer look reveals good construction and usually a tight and well placed cap. The price of the cigar is usually around 8-10 pounds. I've bought several loose cigars and two boxes from 2011, which I aged in my humidor for two years. I found that the overal profile of this cigar becomes way richer with some time in them.
Pre-light and smoking:
As the good cigar pervert I am, when I am alone with a stick I smell it like my life is depending on it. The smells of this robusto are mainly cedar and creamy chocolate. The usually small but well-made cap makes cutting easy and precise on this one. I found that I prefer it cut to my usual 8-shape punch. In the first third earthy notes of leather, chocolate and cream hit me immediately. A mix of different flavours appears to be complicated with zesty and sweet and earthy constantly changing in the first few draws, but this goes soon after and everything smoothens out. Ive heard peope say they get a lot of cedar at this point but in my opinion that only becomes evident in the second third. The ash is light grey and only starts opening after the first inch and a half or more. The earthy and leather flavours dominate the second third but I usually still get hints of creaminess. Cedar creeps in nicely as well. The final third is full of leather and spices (I mean come on, everybody loves leather and spices). The earthiness at this point to me usually turns to pepper. All the way through the smoke production is great and often ashing is only necessary twice. The after-taste of the cigar is warm and earthy but the creaminess surprisingly lingers. Even thought the taste of dark chocolate is present only in the first third, the smell of it persists all the way through.
Pairings:
Usually I'm a whisky person, but I found that this cigar is better combined with other choices. On the non-alcoholic side, citrucy espressos are combined perfectly with the creamy and zesty flavours found in the first third of the cigar (I always light up with the coffee either in front of me or brought to me shortly after). Matte is also a nice choice. Its bitterness and muddy flavour pairs well with the cigar's earthiness. When it comes to alcoholic drinks I found that my favourite choice for this was rum, particularly Pyrat XO, Dictador and Diplomatico Reserva, all rums with a full and bittersweet profile. I also enjoyed these cigars with a good tequila. I will be conducting more research on the pairings matter
All in all this cigar has been consistent with very few exceptions for me. It is a great smoke that can be enjoyed at any point during the day and can be equally enjoyed with a coffee or an alcoholic beverage. It was a great introduction for me to Brazilian cigars and a staple in my humidor since I started stashing sticks. Give it a try if you haven't or share your thoughts if you have. This cigar is the reason I nowadays associate Brazil, besides footbal and coffee, to some damn enjoyable cigars.
Details:
The cigar is a Brazilian puro consisted exclusively of Mata Fina. With a size of 4 7/8 x 50 it preempties for a nice long smoke. It is a medium flavour and bodied cigar. This far the average smoking time has been between 70 and 90 minutes. I'd like to say that this review is based on three cigars, but this robusto has been a part of my weekly rotation for the past four months so I've tried it in numerous occasions. The wrapper has a nice red-ish tone and the overal cigar look is veiny. However, a closer look reveals good construction and usually a tight and well placed cap. The price of the cigar is usually around 8-10 pounds. I've bought several loose cigars and two boxes from 2011, which I aged in my humidor for two years. I found that the overal profile of this cigar becomes way richer with some time in them.
Pre-light and smoking:
As the good cigar pervert I am, when I am alone with a stick I smell it like my life is depending on it. The smells of this robusto are mainly cedar and creamy chocolate. The usually small but well-made cap makes cutting easy and precise on this one. I found that I prefer it cut to my usual 8-shape punch. In the first third earthy notes of leather, chocolate and cream hit me immediately. A mix of different flavours appears to be complicated with zesty and sweet and earthy constantly changing in the first few draws, but this goes soon after and everything smoothens out. Ive heard peope say they get a lot of cedar at this point but in my opinion that only becomes evident in the second third. The ash is light grey and only starts opening after the first inch and a half or more. The earthy and leather flavours dominate the second third but I usually still get hints of creaminess. Cedar creeps in nicely as well. The final third is full of leather and spices (I mean come on, everybody loves leather and spices). The earthiness at this point to me usually turns to pepper. All the way through the smoke production is great and often ashing is only necessary twice. The after-taste of the cigar is warm and earthy but the creaminess surprisingly lingers. Even thought the taste of dark chocolate is present only in the first third, the smell of it persists all the way through.
Pairings:
Usually I'm a whisky person, but I found that this cigar is better combined with other choices. On the non-alcoholic side, citrucy espressos are combined perfectly with the creamy and zesty flavours found in the first third of the cigar (I always light up with the coffee either in front of me or brought to me shortly after). Matte is also a nice choice. Its bitterness and muddy flavour pairs well with the cigar's earthiness. When it comes to alcoholic drinks I found that my favourite choice for this was rum, particularly Pyrat XO, Dictador and Diplomatico Reserva, all rums with a full and bittersweet profile. I also enjoyed these cigars with a good tequila. I will be conducting more research on the pairings matter
All in all this cigar has been consistent with very few exceptions for me. It is a great smoke that can be enjoyed at any point during the day and can be equally enjoyed with a coffee or an alcoholic beverage. It was a great introduction for me to Brazilian cigars and a staple in my humidor since I started stashing sticks. Give it a try if you haven't or share your thoughts if you have. This cigar is the reason I nowadays associate Brazil, besides footbal and coffee, to some damn enjoyable cigars.
You almost made me want to try an NC & as PJ will tell you, that doesn't happen often! Look fwd to reading more from you in future (don't forget the pics). 
Comment