HEAD TO HEAD: PCs / Coronas vs. Robustos

[Jerryvonkramer]

My general idea for this thread is that looking at the current lineups for PCs and Robustos, if you could only have one set of cigars for the rest of time, which would you go with and why. I think this is a difficult question which is not as simple as just saying you prefer one size to the other, because there is also the question of which specific cigars are available in each range. 

From Cuban Cigar Website, I have pulled out all regular production CCs plus Habanos Specialist and LCDH Exclusives.

For PCs / Coronas, I am counting anything between 40-42 RG, 110mm minimum length and 142mm maximum. In other words: Minutos, Coronoitas, Petit Cetros, Marevas, Cremas, Emintentes, and Coronas. I think most people would group these general vitolas together. There are currently 43 total CCs in these sizes.

For Robustos, I am counting everything from from 46 to 54 RG, and length-wise everything from a D No. 5 (100mm) to Coronas Gordas (143mm). Again, I think most people would think of all the cigars listed as "Robustos". There are 37 total CCs in these sizes.

Many may look at these two lineups and think it's a slamdunk for the Robustos, but I am not so sure. The PCs / Coronas selection has some excellent cigars. Within marcas, for example I'd take a Monty 3 over any Monty Robusto, I'd take PLPC over the the Picadores. I'd probably take the Boli PC over the Royal Coronas too. Party has some very underrated PCs, I like those Aristocrats, for example. R&J arguably has a better PC lineup than its Robustos. Upmann Majestic is not a bad C&C.

On balance though, I'd still take the Robustos just because it's hard to imagine being without my workhorses like JL2, RASS, PD4, Epi2, Connie 1 etc, but I find myself on many occassions reaching for a PC rather than a Robusto. What are your thoughts?

[Jerryvonkramer]

Perhaps a easier way of thinking about this is per marca:

Boil PC vs Royal Corona 

Siglo II vs Coro

Fonseca Cosacos vs EMDR Choix Supreme

Upmann Majestic vs Connie 1

Hoyo Coronations vs Epi 2

Monty 3 vs Edmundo

SCDH El Principe vs JL2

Party Shorts vs PD4

PLPC vs Picadores

Punch Coronations vs Punch

QD Coronas Claro vs 50

RG PC vs Coronas de Lonsdales

RA Small Club vs RASS

R&J PC vs Short Churchill

[Lamboinee]

For me it's a simple pick, PC, all day, everyday. Despite there being many good robusto-ish sized cigars in the mix, I really really really enjoy the PC sized vitolas, hands down. 

[BrightonCorgi]

Robusto every time.

[Chibearsv]

13 minutes ago, BrightonCorgi said:

Robusto every time.

I'm sorry, that's an incorrect answer, please try again 😜

[Dr Process]

Robusto for me. I feel like this size cigar best aligns with my pattern of smoking. I don't smoke everyday and it’s generally because I have to make the time in my schedule. But, when I’m able to, this size just seems to work. I’m looking for something that will last 60-75 min and offer some complexity. 
 

Just my two cents.  

[Greenhorn2]

I enjoy both, but I would have to go with robusto.

[SUP8333]

I smoke one or sometimes two a day, so mainly enjoy PCs since I have some 45 minutes each time. But I know I have a preference for the slim super long ones, what vitolas are those? Ninfas, esplendidos, montecarlos etc. I realize also because my stock is pretty new 22-23s that the longer ones give me a better flavour after a 30 day resting, but the Robustos seem to be wasted on me so new, with the last third tasting like crap. 

[Ford2112]

Strictly on an availability/consistency basis I gotta go Robusto even though I love a great Monte 3,Corona Claros,. Edited just saw the PC part. Pcs are above the Robusto for me. I love RG ,Monte 4,siglo 2 before the price hikes. Siglo 3. Yeah never mind lol!

[BlueRidgeFly]

A PC for me. A standard corona (142 x 42) is perfect. Actually, maybe a corona gorda.

I don't get why the robusto ever became sort of the de facto standard vitola. It has always seemed out of proportion to me. I would outlaw it. Mandate the Doble/Toro/Robusto Extra in its place. I know I'm in the feeble minority 😀 

[VeguerosMAN]

Used to smoke only PCs, but now strictly Robusto.

[Jerryvonkramer]

Very interesting answers. I genuinely thought everyone was ignoring this because they thought Robustos were the obvious answer. It’s excellent to see PC and Corona defenders.

Seems like in Europe in the 70s and 80s they were the “default”. I heard from Nicholas Foulkes once that Partagas D4 was down to 5,000 production numbers at one point in the 80s.

Is it solely American “brashness” that changed the fashion?

[Li Bai]

5 hours ago, Jerryvonkramer said:

Very interesting answers. I genuinely thought everyone was ignoring this because they thought Robustos were the obvious answer. It’s excellent to see PC and Corona defenders.

Seems like in Europe in the 70s and 80s they were the “default”. I heard from Nicholas Foulkes once that Partagas D4 was down to 5,000 production numbers at one point in the 80s.

Is it solely American “brashness” that changed the fashion?

I can't answer for sure but I can tell you European aficionados would have given a very similar answer to that question. 

I like every vitola myself but I wouldn't mind should robustos disappear...I couldn't say the same about PCs, lonsdales or coronas gordas.

[BrightonCorgi]

4 hours ago, Li Bai said:

I like every vitola myself but I wouldn't mind should robustos disappear...I couldn't say the same about PCs, lonsdales or coronas gordas.

They each fill a need. Robustos are a more casual to smoke. Easy to puff with lots of smoke. They don't take as long to finish as a Lonsdale. 

Americans may prefer informality of the Robusto. It is more our culture than the pomp and circumstance of the European mind set.

[Li Bai]

2 hours ago, BrightonCorgi said:

Americans may prefer informality of the Robusto. It is more our culture than the pomp and circumstance of the European mind set.

I don't know about that, I just know I like robustos but imo longer and thinner cigars offer a richer smoking experience and I guess that's why most experienced smokers prefer them, no matter where they're from.

Maybe robustos are easier to "read" for beginners and of course they must be easier to roll too, hence their popularity...

[Jerryvonkramer]

3 hours ago, Li Bai said:

I don't know about that, I just know I like robustos but imo longer and thinner cigars offer a richer smoking experience and I guess that's why most experienced smokers prefer them, no matter where they're from.

Maybe robustos are easier to "read" for beginners and of course they must be easier to roll too, hence their popularity...

It's an interesting question as to which vitola gives you the better "DNA" of the marca.

For me, a PC has a stronger flavour but is seldom complex, while a Robusto can have a little more "development" from first to second to third but usually seldom more than a few notes going on. The most complex cigars I can remember tend to be bigger, Sir Winnie, Connie A, or longer, like a Lonsdale.

How much complexity can you get out of a PC? I'm not saying it's not there, just asking. 

[Li Bai]

15 hours ago, Jerryvonkramer said:

How much complexity can you get out of a PC? I'm not saying it's not there, just asking.

Well as @BrightonCorgi said, each fill a need. I can't really go deeper on that subject as I don't quite understand what "complexity" means.

I don't rate cigars according to tastes or flavours, it's more about how I feel through the smoking experience. Of course taste is important and I've had my fair share of horrible sticks (I can still taste a Don Tomas I lit a few years ago just thinking of it 😅) but there's something beyond that for me.

For example, I like the taste of a good Connie A but it doesn't fulfill my needs and I can't tell you why. Without going any further, imo something beautiful happens within smaller rg that doesn't happen as often with other cigars the same size but with bigger rg.

For what it's worth 😅

 

[Jerryvonkramer]

Well everyone has their own systems. For me “complexity” is:

1. How much the flavour of a cigar develops and changes over the course of the smoke.

2. How many different and distinct flavours there are.

For me often PCs are more “two dimensional” but the notes that are there come through more strongly. Monty 3 pure chocolate and coffee.

PLPC pure salted caramel. Party Aristocrats consistently start sweetish with a honey nut cornflake note and then some paprika later,

etc. etc. I find Robustos more variable from stick to stick and both more subtle on palette and “more going on” in terms of specific tastes.

 

I may be alone in this though, I dunno 

 

 

[Li Bai]

17 hours ago, Jerryvonkramer said:

Well everyone has their own systems. For me “complexity” is:

1. How much the flavour of a cigar develops and changes over the course of the smoke.

2. How many different and distinct flavours there are.

For me often PCs are more “two dimensional” but the notes that are there come through more strongly. Monty 3 pure chocolate and coffee.

PLPC pure salted caramel. Party Aristocrats consistently start sweetish with a honey nut cornflake note and then some paprika later,

etc. etc. I find Robustos more variable from stick to stick and both more subtle on palette and “more going on” in terms of specific tastes.

 

I may be alone in this though, I dunno

Flavours, tastes, complexity are all part of a language most aficionados agree upon to understand each other.

I'm not saying this is BS or trying to belittle those who speak it, I'm just saying it's only one way to read and enjoy cigars and it doesn't work for everyone, some of us just can't speak it or don't see the point of it (it's a bit of both for me).

@El Presidente talks about that in his recent interview with Dave Dude and about how Hamlet "speaks" cigars, when I have time I'll create a topic, I find this matter very interesting and I'd like to find out how you all feel about it.

[Partyshrts]

PC's for bang for the buck.