Trinidad Robusto T OUS SEP 09 (PRRRW)

[Bucky McSwensen]

Picked these up at auction and have been really looking forward to it.  Probably jumping the gun on smoking them as they have only had 2 weeks rest but the chance to do a robusto review pressured me to go for it.
Very woody, cedar and oak.  Slight honey and vanilla tones.  Slightly firm draw but plenty of smoke.  Retrohale gives me light white pepper and hickory flavor.  This has very dry aftertaste and gives me a bit of cottonmouth.  Flashback to my college days, I go grab a water.
There’s definitely some flavors here I cannot quite put my finger on.  A quick google search of some random review pinpoints it for me.  Tea and floral notes.  Not sure what kind of tea exactly.  My palette is too unrefined but it reminds me off a cross between earl grey and jasmine.  The honey and vanilla disappear for a bit and the flavor is primarily a light wood with a touch of cinnamon.
Into the second third the smoke itself is similar flavors but the aftertaste is just incredible.   I look forward to taking a puff not for the smoke but to replenish the flavors in my mouth.  Haven’t had this before in a cigar to this degree.  Wish I had both euphoric feelings but damn that aftertaste is divine.  Sweet creamy tea with a hint of spice.
Flavors get a bit more intense.  The oaky wood turns into a bbq smoke flavor.  Not quite charcoal but approaching it.  Still real pleasant and the aftertaste is a slightly sweet smoky tea flavor (if that’s a thing).
The smoke flavors are getting a bit one dimensional of burnt cedar and oak.  This isn’t bad but definitely hoping this can be chalked up to not letting it rest long enough.  I’ve had similar experiences with smoking other sticks ROTT.  Hoping some more rest will really let these flavors fly and improve my future experiences.  Patience is a virtue I should possess more of.
Final third kicks in some espresso and spice.  A surprising nicotine kick in this last end despite the decade of age.  Retrohale has a good amount of pepper and cinnamon with some super subtle nutmeg.  As I get close to the nub it reminds me of some nice NC cigars but this is surprising.  Gets a little hot but still enjoyable.  Charcoal comes back and my lips tingle from the nic buzz.  Some mild tannic notes make me wonder if some more age will do this even better.

Overall a great cigar.  First third hit the spot.  Second was decent.  Third was good but not my preference.  Not sure if the slight bitterness is the cigar itself, if they need more time dry boxing, if I dry boxed too long (is that a thing? I still suck at gaging ideal RH), if it needs more age or if they just need more rest and I was an impatient fool for trying it.  I will assume more rest so I don’t cry.  I am a victim of my own expectations.  Still one of the best cigars I have had lately, just being really critical since I paid a bundle.  I value this stick at $21.00

Cuba value = 2.21

Cost value = 0.53

[backbone]

Great review!  I love that Trinidad tea flavor!

[TheMonk]

Great job! The Robusto Extra has always been a far superior smoke IMO, but the Robusto T has never disappointed either.