HdM Petit Robusto 2019 (ARW)*

[Shatner's Bassoon]

First review for me; as will become clear, I don’t yet have the most seasoned palate (or basic competence as a photographer).

This came as part of a beginner’s selection bought in London in mid 2019. I have used that year as the assumed date.

For me, HdM have flattered to deceive so far: this is my first petit robusto; I thought this might have potential as a daytime smoke. Today, however, it’s a nightcap. Paired with green tea, so a wild Saturday night!

This particular stick isn’t the most beautiful example: I would say it has a colorado claro wrapper, with a cracked foot and one particularly prominent vein.

Generous draw, cold draw is barnyard with just a touch of sweet spice. It starts off light/medium, with wood the prominent flavour, and a pleasant sweetness on the finish. There’s not much evolution, although as it progresses the body increases to medium, and the sweetness becomes more prominent. This is welcome, and reminds me of the sweet notes on a RASS. There’s also a slight cream as the cigar progresses, although not as much as I would have hoped for. Towards the end it becomes ever so slightly hot and bitter.

The ash is a pleasant salt and pepper colour; the burn is uneven throughout, although not enough to diminish the experience. Smoking time is about an hour.

It’s a pleasant cigar, although my search for a perfect daytime smoke continues. Pairing it with tea and smoking it last thing at night may not have helped. I would rate it at 87, and would be happy to try another (better constructed) example.