Cohiba Robusto LAR JUL 12 (VVRW#1)

[Wailbait]

I would bet that the Robusto is an interesting size for many of us on this site.  When I first started smoking cigars, it was a kind of “standard.”  If I closed my eyes and pictured a cigar, I was likely picturing a Robusto.  5x50 - even the numbers were standardized and easy.  
As time went on, I found myself buying and smoking fewer and fewer.  Now I have a handful but it isn’t a size I generally seek out.  
If there is one “paradigmatic” Robusto for me that I would smoke for a review, it would probably be a D4.  But since I just got my second dose of vaccine, I figured I would be more celebratory and check in on a fancy box that I had mixed feelings about.  

 

This box always had beautiful construction but I had felt the flavors were a bit flat.  2012 was never a great year and the last time I had one was in late 2018.  Figured it was worth seeing if it was better.  
 

Wow!  I’m sure it helps to come in with low expectations but I was telling my friend, “this is basically a commercial on why you should age Cohibas.”  I never try them VERY young (they are far too expensive for me to smoke at under 3 years old) but I usually check in around the 4-5 year mark.  This box had been both unfocused and too mellow (an curious and odd combination) so after 3 or 4, they took another 3 year nap.  
This cigar was straight down the middle.  Still very mild but all the sweetness and refinement that I associate with rested Cohibas was there.  Not as good as my BTO 13 but then again, very little is.

The second half didn’t really ramp in intensity but had a nice flavor change with increased funk.  Perfect cigar for a mild day.  I’d give this cigar a 91-92 and I would have more from this box again soon.

 

[Bagman]

Always appreciate these aged reviews.   Well done.

[Wailbait]

32 minutes ago, Monterey said:

Always appreciate these aged reviews.   Well done.

It’s always important for me to remember that age doesn’t necessarily equal “great.”  Sometimes I need to be reminded of that in this hobby.  

[JohnS]

2 hours ago, Wailbait said:

It’s always important for me to remember that age doesn’t necessarily equal “great.”  Sometimes I need to be reminded of that in this hobby.  

So, so true! Most often it means...'different'! 😉