1999 Vegas Robaina Classicos

[maverickdrinker]

1999 Vegas Robaina Classicos

Was gifted this cigar from a great BOTL (Thanks Michel). Not that familiar with the Vegas Robaina marca. Heard good things, just never made it onto my hit list so I was looking forward to trying this one.

This vitola was discontinued in 2012 so I hope I don't like it too much because it will cause anxiety and panic buying. LOL I'm starting to look for more coronas in anticipation for the upcoming winter.

The wrapper is a molted chocolate colorado brown. Has a slightly weathered look, like distressed leather. Silky smooth to the touch with no veinage. Slightly box pressed.

The wrapper has a nce hazelnut, chocolate aroma to it. Salivation and anticipation starts now....

The cigar itself is firm. Actually a little too firm for my liking. Seeing that it is from the bad construction years (1999 -2001), I have a little trepidation if this will draw.

Not getting much from the cold draw from the foot. A little sweetness, some chocolate and a hint of leather. Very faint. Worrying continues to build.

The triple cap looks good. Hope this isn't lipstick on a pig.

I start to punch a hole in the triple cap. It's probably the hardest cap I have ever too a punch to. More worrying as I don't have a back up cigar to enjoy while watching my daughter's soccer game. GGRRR!!!!

Cold draw eases my concerns. The draw is good. Whew! Chocolate, some sweetness and a hint of earthiness fit the palate. Finding joy again!!!!

Time to take this to the flame.

[maverickdrinker]

First Third

Very interesting initial puffs. I didn't expect the strength to be so mucho, considering the flavours I experienced in the cold draw.

Strong black coffee, earthy flavours gang up on my palate and beat them like a government mule. This guy has cojones!! Very rich in flavour for a 12 year old cigar. Some spice kicks in to give me an extra boot to the palate. This will need to be sipped. Not sure if I will be able to handle the strength, it's that strong. Was this build with triple ligero?!?! LOL

Afterfinish is lllooooggggg. The flavours wrap my palate like saran wrap. Gonna smoke this very slowly so I don't go reeling. Might have to take a break and get some water or gatorade. LOL

The draw is just how I like it. Firm with copious amounts of smoke. Something tells me I should have ate before this. An emergency stop at McDonalds may be in order. LOL

Burn line is straight and the ash is dark and 'Dirty' grey.

[maverickdrinker]

Second third

After being initially traumatized from the tsunami of flavours that hit me like a freight train, I have either gotten accustomed to the strength or the cigar has settled down and felt sorry for me. LOL

Very strong, this cigar is. Caused me to start sweating off the get go. Rich, bold flavours of black coffee, earthy notes and spice dominate. A hint of sweetness keeps toying with me however, make no mistake about it. This is Balls on strong!!!

Really slowing down my draws from this. Probably every 2 minutes. Take a puff, lean back and let the flavours take over, wipe the sweat off my brow and repeat. LOL

The black coffee and earthy tones have died down a bit, giving way to candied fruit and roasted nuts

The draw has tightened up a touch. Smoke production still going strong though.

Getting some Oolong tea, spice and jasmine notes notes now. Weird stuff indeed. The black coffee/earthy combination comes back to remind me what power is.

The cigar is getting a little harsh but tolerable. Burn line continues to be razor sharp. I keep telling myself the sweat is from the humidity, not the cigar. LOL

[maverickdrinker]

Final Third

This cigar is showing no reprieve at all, in the flavour and strength category. All power, all the time. Hard to enjoy this actually.

Sloow and steady draws are helping win the race to the finish. Down to once every 2-3 minutes a draw and a wash down with water. Wish I had some liquor instead. LOL.

Black coffee, oolong tea, spice and earthy tones dominate the back third. The water is helping clean the palate and keep me from constantly spitting. Thank goodness the end is near and my palate feels punch drunk. I've been Robaina'ed. LOL

A new flavour comes into join the final ass kicking of my palatee. Charcoal. Never had that in a cigar before.

Final Impressions: This cigar is not for me. This was a harbringer of palate demolishing power and strength. Too strong to actually enjoy. In fact, I think it is the strongest cigar I've smoked this year. Very impressive considering the age. One to admire from afar I think.

Now, where is that Big Mac combo.....

[frenchkiwi]

These Clasicos are great cigars but don't smoke them on an empty stomach... they seem to have plenty ligero in the blend which comes through quite strongly in the second half. A fantastic whisky tasting cigar - start it off with a speyside, move through to islay for the 2nd third, and pull out a peat monster (e.g. supernova etc) for the last third... a brilliant combination.

[nikesupremedunk]

That's not a M5 is it? e39?

[shrink]

Sounds like that Clasico had M-Power!

[cottierm]

Thanks for this excellent review Art!

LCDH Toronto had three boxes left of these gems, all from 1999, when I discovered them last year. The one I smoked and reviewed at that time was coming from the first box. Here are my notes:

http://www.friendsofhabanos.com/forum/index.php?showtopic=109578

Following my review, Ross/Colt 45 had nice things to say about an 08 version:

http://www.friendsofhabanos.com/forum/index.php?showtopic=109629

The one Art smoked came from the second box with cigars of darker wrappers than those in the first box. I've bought multiple cigars from the 1st and 2nd boxes without ever smoking any of them as I always ended up giving them away or trading them for people to discover (what a nice guy and an idiot I am at the same time!!! And yes Lisa, I still have one for you!).

Two points I'd like to make for the sake of discussion:

a. (And as I mentioned in my own review,) it is my contention that all VRs whatever the vitola need at least 5 years of aging to reach their true potential.

b. I would not be too worry about VRs produced during the bad years (1999-2001). The brand only started officially in 1997. I think (but of course I may be wrong here) that because it was a new brand at that time, one which needed to attract the interest of smokers, they were more careful in the rolling department to produce good pieces while with established brands they could be more lazy.

For those interested in this cigar, you can still easily find 2011-boxes of them (I bought one a few months ago).

Best,

Michel

[ramon_cojones]

Wow this sounds like my cuppa tea! Does anyone know where I can get a couple examples of these 99s?

Good to know on the construction aspect.

It's not an m5 btw.

[nikesupremedunk]

Yea looking at the tach it definitely isn't a M5 lol.

[maverickdrinker]

It's a 2001 540i with an M package.

[nikesupremedunk]

It's a 2001 540i with an M package.

Still a very sweet car...<3 e39's

[Dimmers]

nice review, yikes sounds like it has a little more more kick that what i usually prefer (the cigar not the car )