New World Robustos

[DeeBeezy]

Something I’m pondering myself. Is there any New World Robusto that consistently delivers a better smoking experience than say your favourite Cuban Robusto. As such that if they were priced exactly the same you would reach for/ purchase the new world robusto over the Cuban?

For me this is the case with - Ashton ESG, Davidoff Yamasa, Nicaragua and Escurio lines. Those robustos generally deliver a better and more consistent  experience than say the average RASS or JL2 I smoke. 

[GVan]

An honest question. The hard part is the "consistently delivers a better smoking experience" part of the question. My answer would be no when comparing properly stored and aged examples. My best odds of smoking a very good cigar still comes from Cubans - hard to beat a good example of a JL2, BRC, EPI-2, PSdP or PSD4 with 3 to 5 years of age on them. Yes, I took a few liberties with "robusto" but almost all are greater than 90 points with very few throwaways.

Things change when smoking young cigars that are less than 2 to 3 years old in the collection. Then, as your question suggests, the New World cigars are more representative and consistent to the blenders intent.  In this category, AJ Fernandez New World Dorado, AF Mag 52, Crowned Heads Marranitos, Padron 1926 #35 (from my collection) all are definitely more "consistent robustos" in what they represent and almost never have a throw-away. These tend to be 88 to 92 point cigars when young and with some similar age on them can be stellar (92+) and rival the Cuban collection.  

For me, having very good, aged NC's in the smoking rotation along with the Cubans that are "Now Ready" to smoke (generally > 3 to 7 years) provides my friends and I many remarkable impressions involving different regions, different tobaccos, different bouquets, different flavors and memorable discussions that all contribute to the smoking experience. 

[Montezüma]

Better smoking experience? These days Cubans are more consistent so I would say No. But some years ago when Habanos QC was full of disappointment, perhaps I would consider a Yes. 

If the question is about interchangeability though, I don’t think its possible to replace Cubans because Habanos are always puros, so their distinctiveness remains irreplaceable. Its somewhat less the case for new world cigars because of blends from mixed origins. But the same distinctiveness apply to new world puros. There is always the right cigar for the right occasion and the best choice is often influenced by origin. 

[TacoSauce]

2 hours ago, HenryMartin said:

These days Cubans are more consistent

I'm not sold on this at all. The last three sticks I tried to smoke (Monte MC, Monte PE, RG PC -- all of recent vintage) each were plugged along the entire length of the cigar.

I guess it is true that they are more consistent when compared to Cubans of yesteryear. However, I would rank this as categorically false when comparing to NCs from any year.

 

[Ford2112]

Try a Fabrica5 Mofoh Robusto Trinity. 

[DeeBeezy]

On 2/1/2025 at 5:31 AM, Ford2112 said:

Try a Fabrica5 Mofoh Robusto Trinity. 

I have multiple bundles and I am a big fan. I think they represent some of the best value on the market. If however, they were priced the same as Cuban robustos, I would never reach for one. This is not the case with the robustos I mentioned above. 

[HoyoFan]

EP Carillo Short Run 2023 Robusto

Casdagli Daughters of the Wind Pony Robusto

[TacoSauce]

32 minutes ago, HoyoFan said:

EP Carillo Short Run 2023 Robusto

AFAIK, they never released a 2024 version. Any idea if these will come back this year?

[HoyoFan]

4 hours ago, TacoSauce said:

AFAIK, they never released a 2024 version. Any idea if these will come back this year?

I don’t think they do this annually but rather when there’s enough yield or simply when they feel like it. But I’m still seeing some places carrying the 2023.