Casa Magna Colorado Robusto

[ajgagnon]

I'm confused how Cigar Aficionado comes up with its ratings... the general observation seems to be that they don't smoke much more than a few inches of any given cigar. If so, I'm not sure how they chose the Casa Magna Colorado Robusto as a cigar of the year. I just finished one in the yard (there's a chinook!) and one would have to smoke this cigar to at least 2/3 before finding much to write home about.

This cigar was nicely rolled, with a nice colorado wrapper (as per the name) and a pretty band, with medium and dark coloured filler evident at the foot. It clipped nicely an all that, but frankly, I take most of this as given for any decent cigar. So, so far so good.

The first draw was harsh and dry, but I find that common in non-Cubans (can you tell I have a bias?). The first inch was plain... Dominican tasting. Mostly a solid but boring cigar. Mild woody undertone with hints of sweetness and an increasing slightly creamy texture at around half-way. Good for working in the yard (which I was), it was reminiscent of fermented leaves and pipe smoke. I have to say, though, that for most of the cigar, there weren't any rough edges. No harshness, and increasing sweetness throughout. But fairly tame.

Towards the end, however, some more interesting flavours became more evident. Rich dark coffee with some baking chocolate, and sweetness. There seems to be some long-fermented dark filler in there lending a nice sweetness and as I say, almost pipe smoke character. Toward the end, the sweetness increased until it almost tasted like it was dipped in cognac. Here the flavours of the cigar came together and there was quite an enjoyable last third.

In the end, I'm not sure whether I'd recommend this cigar to a friend unless they have a bent for non-Cubans and maybe maduro cigars. It certainly finished stronger than it started, and I found it quite enjoyable for the last third. It must have been the year after CA had chosen a Cuban as the cigar of the year (they alternate for political reasons, don't they?), or the price point was a significant factor, because I find it hard to believe that there wouldn't be a better Cuban for a similar sticker price. I'd put it in a non-Cuban equivalent category as the HDM Epicure #2 for the sweetness and darkness but there would be no contest for me that the HDM E#2 would beat it.

Anyway, I'd be happy to hear others' perceptions. I keep trying some of the marquee or highly rated non-Cubans but I'm just not sure the effort is worth my precious winter smoking opportunities.

[goalie204]

they said that their rating was largely due to the low cost of this cigar. I find that to be b.s. because i don't think a cigar's price should affect it's rating which rates taste etc, not value imho

[Hohenthal]

I am not familiar with the Robusto but tried the Pikito, a half corona / reyes kind of size.

In one word: horrid.

I was going to put it down at about mid point because it tasted so terrible - then I noticed some dye coming off the wrapper (so much for "colorado") -

in anger I did not even let it die in dignity, I flushed it down the toilet!

Other non cubans (even if they can't hold a candle to havannas IMHO) I found to be not all that bad, but if all cigars were like CM, I would be a convinced non-smoker.

Alex

[PAL]

Casa Magna Domus Magnus Limitada:

This is the only cigar in the line I have tried (living in Japan 99% of the cigars for sale are cuban) but is was absolutely and completely astounded by how much flavor and flavors it had. Enjoyed it more than pretty much anything I have smoked before or since (ordered ten boxes that night in an on-line shopping frenzy). They are in the mail and should arrive soon, waiting and counting the hours. That is how much that ONE cigar I had rocked my world.

Now I read, with some interest, your posting stating that another of the same brand got the marketing plumb of the year with the #1 rating. Well, it IS a new brand with a lot of marketing budget.....

Still, the one and only one cigar of theirs I had did have those flavors I have read about with envy: toasted ginger, various kinds of chocolate, citrus etc. I simply do not have the taste-buds to sense these. With absolutely no diss-respect I call them the 'Willie Wonka" flavors that others get, but I just CAN'T detect. The Casa Magna Domus Magnus Limitada had them for me. "pipe tobacco" is a great description. It tasted like pipe tobacco smells... Yes, that is it. could not describe it till now.

Will try others in the line up as I am now on a NC exploration. Tatuaje Reserva was pretty good too....

PAL

[Lotusguy]

Went through a whole box when I was still in my NC phase. Not bad, and very reasonably priced. #1 cigar? Hell no! Better than a $5 CC Mareva like PLPC or the like? Hell no! Better than the best of Rocky Patel? Hell yes! Doesn't need to hide in shame behind a Padron or AF? Yes!

That reminds me - I still have that Casa Magna Emperador limited box... need to decide if I should sell or smoke that.

[PAL]

Well, with all the hype about the brand that a #1 rating from CigarAff' will generate, if one were to want to sell, the next few months, when the stores sell out in 'black friday' madness rush for the #1, would be a good time to sell.

[Lotusguy]

Well, with all the hype about the brand that a #1 rating from CigarAff' will generate, if one were to want to sell, the next few months, when the stores sell out in 'black friday' madness rush for the #1, would be a good time to sell.

But that cigar of the year rating was in 2009 or so already.

[Plato]

I bought a box of those a while back, I havent had one in a longggg time. I wonder how they are now.

[thechenman]

Casa Magna Domus Magnus Limitada:

This is the only cigar in the line I have tried (living in Japan 99% of the cigars for sale are cuban) but is was absolutely and completely astounded by how much flavor and flavors it had. Enjoyed it more than pretty much anything I have smoked before or since (ordered ten boxes that night in an on-line shopping frenzy). They are in the mail and should arrive soon, waiting and counting the hours. That is how much that ONE cigar I had rocked my world.

Now I read, with some interest, your posting stating that another of the same brand got the marketing plumb of the year with the #1 rating. Well, it IS a new brand with a lot of marketing budget.....

Still, the one and only one cigar of theirs I had did have those flavors I have read about with envy: toasted ginger, various kinds of chocolate, citrus etc. I simply do not have the taste-buds to sense these. With absolutely no diss-respect I call them the 'Willie Wonka" flavors that others get, but I just CAN'T detect. The Casa Magna Domus Magnus Limitada had them for me. "pipe tobacco" is a great description. It tasted like pipe tobacco smells... Yes, that is it. could not describe it till now.

Will try others in the line up as I am now on a NC exploration. Tatuaje Reserva was pretty good too....

PAL

I agree with your assessment of the CM Domus Magnus...I've smoked several Casa Magna's of different varities and the Domus Magnus is the only one I enjoyed. I'd definitely be a buyer of these. Can't believe I'm saying that about a Casa Magna cigar.

[PAL]

just got eight boxes delivered to me yesterday (not all the casa magna mind you). Now with the others I have coming my humidors are full to bursting. Overly full from an air=flow perspective.

went a little crazy on this... had one right out of the box, but as to be expected, need to let them sit a couple weeks (why is this so?).

Sure hoping that that ONE I did have before was not a fluke and I enjoy the rest as much as I enjoyed it.... In a few days, it will be two weeks since I got the first shipment and will try again and report.

PAL

[mattdivo]

I think it's important to keep in mind CA's bias - their largest client base is in the US (where Cubans are illegal); and they are profit seeking (predominantly by way of advertising). I couldn't help but notice that Alec Bradley's (current #1 cigar) ads are currently all over CA's website and mag. It is thought provoking, to say the least.