Bond Roberts 109 Cigar Review 🤯

[LizardGizmo]

I'm not sure that I've ever run to a computer as quickly as I did tonight after smoking the upcoming Bond Roberts 109 Cigar.

Forgive my lack of pictures as we were on Zoom (plus, I'm an audio guy ) - but let's get into it. 

This beautiful 50 x 7¼ double robusto is spectacular in presentation - wrapper is flawless and the construction is perfect. It weighed in just above 18 grams. It has been stored in my humidor for the last month at 70ºF/62%rh. (I prefer my cigars closer to 60% than 70%.)

Draw is just a touch resistant - exactly what I want on a cigar like this. Cold draw is leather, chocolate and coffee. Very pleasant and zero hint of youth (tobacco has years of age on it, but it was rolled seven weeks ago)

On the light, it's creamy, leathery and coffee and VERY slightly sweet with a touch of spice. It very quickly builds into a sourdough and coffee forward profile and immediately is feeling and tasting like a Lusitania - we'll come back to that in a moment. It's savory more than sweet and thankfully it will stay that that way through the entire cigar.

In the second third, the cigar builds into a richer, more leathery sourdough experience. It's elegant and significant in the hand. It has a touch of salt on the front of my mouth - let's call it a "non-Cuban twang". The undercurrent of semi-sweet chocolate remains from the first third. (Think Monte 2 chocolate and salt). 

The construction is fantastic. The first bit of ash held on for a good 2"+ before I knocked it off, hoping to avoid having it all over my shirt in front of the tasting panel.

It's the best of Lusitania - and is performing far better than the 2020 Lusitania I had last night. It's important for me to make this comparison, not only because of its neighboring flavor profile, but where I would slot this cigar in my rotation. I love Lusitania. When they're on, they're great. Unfortunately they're not always on. 

The retrohale is very satisfying. When the aroma at the burn line, aroma at the foot, the retrohale and the flavor of the draw are all dancing with each other like this, it exponentially increases the experience of a cigar for me. 

The smoke output is phenomenal. I'd say it's slightly under what I experience when I smoke a Partagás E2 - just perfect.

The last third builds even more as the chocolate fades away, and the twang picks up even further, delivering a very satisfying experience on the front of my tongue. This is exactly how I want a cigar of this size to finish.

I really tried to nurse the last inch and a half, as the conversation was excellent - but even after 1hr 45min, I didn't want it to end. Damn near perfect for my palette. 

I paired this with seltzer water with a bit of fresh lemon but I could've very well paired it with almost any drink - coffee, cognac, wine, champagne, scotch, you name it. It can slot anywhere in the day: Saturday morning with a coffee, afternoon after a light lunch or even after a big steak dinner and red wine. It's very versatile, which absolutely adds even more value to it in my humidor. 

One final note on Lusitania... When I light a Lusi, I always budget additional time for a follow-up cigar, as I often am left wanting a bit more. Sometimes a Padrón Exclusivo Maduro, a Davidoff Dominicana or maybe an H. Upmann Half Corona if I'm short on time. This 109 doesn't leave me wanting more - I'm completely satisfied.

This is one of the best cigars I've had this year and I am easily at a 94 on it. I can't believe it was rolled seven weeks ago. I would proudly share this with any of my cigar smoking friends at any experience level in both Cuban and non-Cuban cigars.

Rob and Hamlet can not release these fast enough. I will be in for a few 50 cabs for sure.

 

[GVan]

Wow, that's a pretty good set of comparison cigars!

[rondogg]

50 cabs...count me in! I am buying it by the trucking load.

[Glass Half Full]

Wow!  Can’t wait!

[GoodStix]

@LizardGizmo thx for the review 👍

How was the strength? (nicotine)

[LizardGizmo]

21 minutes ago, GoodStix said:

@LizardGizmo thx for the review 👍

How was the strength? (nicotine)

I'd say the cigar moves from light-medium in the first third to fully medium in strength in the last third. It's a very elegant, smooth affair - no bite.

[sddan_5]

@LizardGizmo Great review. I feel stupid for asking but is there anyway to buy/samples and when will they become available? 😬

[El Presidente]

19 hours ago, sddan_5 said:

@LizardGizmo Great review. I feel stupid for asking but is there anyway to buy/samples and when will they become available? 😬

These will be released in box/cabinet only format. 25's and limited number of 50's. 

[El Presidente]

Thanks for those who have asked.

Confirming, COH shipments are coming out of Europe and not HK.

[Dlowil]

I’m only checking my tracking number for my 25er multiple times a day. So excited to try these! 

[Dlowil]

ROTT review:

I had to be up in six hours for some unexpected work, but this was my only window to smoke—and I couldn’t resist.

From the cold draw, I got baking spices and a touch of sweetness. Lighting up was a joy, with an instant aroma reminiscent of a sweet bakery. The construction of the cigar is beautiful—firm, seamless, and just the right weight. It feels perfect in the hand, like it was meant to be there. I used a V-cut, which paired perfectly with the draw—offering just the right amount of resistance and excellent smoke output.

The initial flavors were a blend of sweetness, earth, and a funky twang—very reminiscent of the PSD4 or Party Short, but more refined (disclaimer: I’ve never had a Lusi or P2). Creamy chocolate began to emerge, and a subtle spice danced at the back of my throat. The aroma reminded me of warm cornbread. Retrohale? Silky smooth.

About an inch in, the burn line was slightly wavy but holding strong. The mouthfeel was light, yet the flavor was full—a true Cuban profile. The savory, sweet, and peppery notes came together in perfect harmony. The finish lingered long with a mineral, tannic backbone and a sweet tang—almost bell pepper-like. Cedar joined the mix, and the strength hovered just below medium.

At this point, the cigar took me to one of my favorite dishes: Hungarian chicken paprikash. Creamy, paprika-forward, comforting—usually served with nokedli (Hungarian dumplings), though I prefer it with buttered noodles for a lighter feel. That’s exactly what this cigar felt like: comfort food with finesse.

By the second third, the ash was hanging on for about 2.5 inches before it gracefully fell. A wave of sweet, creamy chocolate returned, and each time I brought the cigar to my lips, there was an aroma of cocoa wafting from the head—almost like a primer preparing my palate for the next draw. It was incredible. A subtle pepper spice flickered in and out with the signature Cuban twang.

In the final third, leather emerged while the cedar and delicate sweetness lingered. A gentle fruitiness arrived near the end. The cigar never turned harsh—it held my attention from start to finish. Even knowing I had to wake up early, I couldn’t put it down. I didn’t brush my teeth before bed, and after waking up a few hours later to help with the newborn, the taste of dried fruit was still on my palate. With most non-Cubans, that would’ve tasted like a cat pissed in my mouth. Not this one.

I’ve been dabbling in cigars for about 12 years, and I got more serious earlier this year. This is, hands down, the best cigar I’ve ever had. Hamlet took my palate to a fine dining experience—delicately layered, complex, yet completely balanced. Two hours and ten minutes of elegance I’ll never forget. I’m tired as hell this morning, but I can’t stop thinking about the experience.

I may have made a mistake not grabbing the 50 cab—especially if these get better after 30 days and beyond.

Solid 95

Well done to the BR team!

[Dlowil]

@LizardGizmo didn’t mean to post this review here. Excitement got the best of me.

[LizardGizmo]

7 hours ago, Dlowil said:

@LizardGizmo didn’t mean to post this review here. Excitement got the best of me.

I’m glad you did - it’s helpful to have a ROTT review!