Vegas Robaina Classico 1999

[cottierm]

Let's start with some general considerations.

First, granted CCs in Canada are quite pricey due to our high taxes which means that you usually don't get what you have paid for as far as the quality of the cigar is concerned. If you are like me, you therefore sample only and go online for your box purchases.

Second, that said, when you've got a reliable shop (the LCDH in Toronto in this instance) manned by intelligent and passionate people with access to a well-provided stock, and if you follow (from time to time) their recommendations, you may end up with something truly amazing.

I've always like the regular production of VR cigars because they appeal to my eyes and usually smell delicious. However, up to today I had always felt let down by them, mostly because I smoked them at a too young age (ah! the famous problem of aging; already touched by me and others when dealing with the Hoyo series, see my recent post on the subject). Now, when I recently reported my general feelings of the VR brand to Andy and Julian at the Toronto LCDH, they drew my attention to an open box of VR Clasicos from 1999 that they have on display. As today was not too cold for an outside smoke, I decided to give it a try.

I picked up a very nice maduro colorado specimen and lighted up this lonsdale on their infamous patio. Although I am going to describe my smoking following the traditional pattern into thirds, a division into halves would probably better suit this particular cigar.

1st third: good construction but a bit on the loose side. There I was a bit worried because, like many of you, I remembered that 1999 was not a good year in term of construction. However, and although the cigar started by burning quite fast, it regulated itself quite quickly. Aroma at cold was pretty none existent; burn was flawless apart from the first few minutes at the beginning; draw was good. The taste was buttery or creamy (whichever you like best) and very smooth. Very nice milk chocolate taste with a bit of sugar. Extremely relaxing.

2nd third: everything was going fine and I was enjoying this relaxing cigar although I could not detect a change of taste up to the second part of the second third. Suddenly, it totally changed its pace. Gone was the chocolate taste, nearly totally, but it was replaced by a fresh citrus-cedary taste which was quite surprising at this stage. I would have expected this kind of taste to appear at the beginning of the smoking experience not in the middle of it! To this taste was progressively added a white pepper note which increased quite dramatically for a few minutes. Obviously, this thing, although medium-bodied, had still some legs and was now kicking my palate and my nose. That said, no harshness at all but tremendous spiciness.

Final third: citrus and cedar were still present, white pepper as well but now all of these tastes started to mix together to give me a delicious taste of fresh bread. The cigar also achieved its balance at that stage and stayed like that up to end of the smoking experience. Smooth and sweet (but not sugary).

Conclusions: this was an upper 90 cigar for me and I immediately bought a couple for keeping. The price was also attractive in this case CAN$ 24.59 (taxes included) for a 13 year-old cigar, quite a steal! (Remember also that this vitola is on the block as of this year).

Best,

Michel

[brazoseagle]

I love VR's, great review!

[ChanceSchmerr]

wait wait wait wait...........This vitola is on the block as of this year? What do you mean?

[cottierm]

The Clasicos will be discontinued as of 2012 according to Trevor's website.

[Rushman]

I've always had a soft spot for VR. Unicos was the first box purchase I ever made. I love the Famosos the best, but like a lot of CC's, I have been let down a time or two. Nice review!

---

I am here: http://maps.google.com/maps?ll=20.631844,-87.070784

[dB69]

Thanks for the review! Had one from the same year two weeks ago and it was delicious with comfortable draw.

[cottierm]

Thanks for the review! Had one from the same year two weeks ago and it was delicious with comfortable draw.

Question: did you also notice the difference in taste that I mentioned in my review between the first and the second half or was it particular to the cigar I was commenting upon?

Best,

Michel

[dB69]

Question: did you also notice the difference in taste that I mentioned in my review between the first and the second half or was it particular to the cigar I was commenting upon?

Best,

Michel

I don't remember having that kind of feeling.

Here are my small notes of the cigar: "Slightly nutty toasted tobacco. Cocoa (powder) which turns to creamy chocolate. Hints of some root crop. Very good and tasty but not so complex that I was expecting."

(Photo on Daily Smoke thread, page 179)

[frenchkiwi]

Question: did you also notice the difference in taste that I mentioned in my review between the first and the second half or was it particular to the cigar I was commenting upon?

Best,

Michel

Salut Michel,

i've had plenty clasicos and although from recent years they have always had a pretty dramatic change in the middle, suddenly going from medium to full body and picking up a minty ligero flavour with plenty of pepper. That change always makes me want to reach for a peaty scotch.

So good to see that even with over a decade on them they still have a dramatic evolution of flavours!

Thanks for sharing!

[winelover]

Hi Michael

I have a similar purchasing strategy to you being based in the UK which has very high cigar prices. I go overseas for box purchases but find some great aged singles in the UK which I think is possible not only because there are passionate merchants out there but also because they don't shift the same volumes because of the high taxes.

Thanks for the review on the VR. Like Rushman I'm a big fan of the famosos and have been fortunate enouhh to smoke a few with 5 years plus on them which were heavenly.

Graham

[winelover]

Sorry just seen that you are Michel not Michael. Desolez!

[cottierm]

Not a problem, this type of confusion happens to me all the time!

Thank for your comment by the way.

Best,

Michel

[cottierm]

Thanks for replying to my message. Could you develop a bit on what you mean by 'hints of some root crop'?

Best,

Michel

[cottierm]

Thanks for your comment. A shame that they will be discontinued very soon.

Are you French or are you of French descent or Frenchkiwi is just an alias you picket up from some other reasons? Just being curious! New Zealand was a country I always wanted to settle in but my Belgian wife put her veto on that project!

Best,

Michel

[dB69]

Thanks for replying to my message. Could you develop a bit on what you mean by 'hints of some root crop'?

Best,

Michel

Of course, I'll try to. A kind of a mixture of turnip and celery. There may have been some rutabaga also in that mixture, but I can't recall it very clearly anymore. Anyway, if you cook a soup of the mentioned you will get quite close to the flavour I meant. Unfortunately I can't describe it any better because of my flawed English vocabulary.

[cottierm]

Interesting analogy, thank for it. I'll re-investigate the case soon.

Best,

Michel