Don Juan Robusto

This is now the second cigar review that I've done, so please, take a minute to let me know if I suck at this or if I'm not doing too bad for a novice.

Here we go:

VITAL STATISTICS
Make: Don Juan
Model: Robusto
Year: who knows?
Color: Natural
(all right, Matt, enough with the car analogy)
Size: 5 x 50
Country:Filler is Nicaraguan, binder is Dominican, with Connecticut shade wrapper
Price: $2.90(US)
Construction: These cigars have a fair wrapper. The color is not uniform, and there are a few veins. The cap on these cigars was interesting. It was actually a separate, circular piece of tobacco glued over the end. There was also a small band of wrapper around the head, and that is what I cut.

Cutting/Lighting: As I stated last week, I use a cheap cutter, and always moisten the wrapper at the head before I cut. The "extra" piece of tobacco actually did a fine job keeping the end of the cigar together. It wasn't the prettiest thing I'd ever seen, but it worked.

How it smoked: I bought the pair of these on Friday, the 14th, and kept them in my humidor until smoking them, one on Monday, the other earlier today. The first one was a bit flat to start out, and I really didn't have an optimistic point of view after the first few minutes, but it warmed up about 1/4 of the way into the smoke, and then became pleasant. I think that the lack of 100% Nicaraguan tobacco contributed to my slight disappointment, as I was ready for strong Nicaraguan flavors, and I ended up with a blend. The second one represented more of the creamy flavors and strong spicy aromas that I have come to expect from Nigaraguans, but they both had a hint of that grassy, bitter flavor that is the hallmark (IMHO) of young tobacco.

Cigar Aficionado: CA gave this cigar an 87 in their August 1997 issue (the one with Claudia Schiffer on the cover) and I think that is little high because of the youngness of these cigars.

Final Impressions: For $2.90, you can't go wrong. This is a case where I think aging could have a very beneficial effect. I think that the blend of three distinct tobaccos needs more time to properly age. I give this cigar a 7.1 out of 10 due to its greenness. I'd be happy to review these again if you have any that are well-aged, or would like me to age some of yours, to review again in a year. :)

LET ME KNOW WHAT YOU THINK!!

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