Robusto Sampler

[johns1485]

I am a very inexperienced cigar smoker.

I recently purchased the Robusto Sampler offered by the Czar as a means to explore the various tastes and strengths offered in this vitola.

I am not really qualified to write a review. My palate is not only uneducated, I believe it may be totally illiterate. Nonetheless, I will present my observations and opinions related to the two cigars that I have smoked so far.

I have a desktop humidor with Boveda 69% packets. I rested the cigars for 3 weeks before sampling the first one.

My first selection was the Vegas Robaina Famosos. It was a very well constructed stick. The draw and the burn were both excellent. Unfortunately, I found this cigar to be very harsh from start to finish.

I used a punch as opposed to a cutter and I don't know if this has any affect on the smoking characteristics.

This cigar left a rather strong and unpleasant taste in my mouth for about a day. The taste persisted in spite of toothbrushing, mouthwashing and breathminting.

I was disappointed because I had read a lot of favorable comments about the Famosos and this particular example did not measure up.

Two weeks later, earlier today actually, I selected the Juan Lopez Seleccione 2. Again this was very well constructed, and the draw and burn were excellent. I used a cutter this time. This cigar was fantastic.

Nice smooth flavor and a lot of smoke. The aftertaste was very pleasant and has all but disappeared six hours later.

I am very much looking forward to working my way through the rest of the sampler and I will provide my observations.

BTW, I have thoroughly enjoyed the FOH forum. It has provided me with an abundance of information and entertainment.

Thanks to all of you.

[Sandman]

Thanks for your thoughts John. The JL #2 is one of my fav's. Great cigar that satisfies almost every time, especially recent production. As for the Famosos. they are very nice cigars also, but maybe yours just needed a little more time to develop.

Thanks for sharing.

[shrink]

» I am a very inexperienced cigar smoker.

Well, johns, you are now an experienced cigar smoker...

You smoked one bad cigar, and one good cigar. Welcome to the world of Habanos!

[El Presidente]

Johns...I would consider myself an experieced cigar smoker and I still recoil from the occasional cigar and pitch it to the waiting garden below.

Three things:

1. At least in the beginning, put that punch cutter aside, with fresh/young cigars, the small opening can accentuate the worst aspects.

2. Get that humidity down a little (65%) or dry box (leave it out of the humidor) the cigar you plan to enjoy for 24 hrs.

3. Not all that is bad today is bad tomorrow. Sample again some things that you don't like as it is only after sampling the same Marque and vitola over numerous years that you can get a real line on what you like and you do not like.

It is a great journey.....enjoy.

[johns1485]

» Johns...I would consider myself an experieced cigar smoker and I still

» recoil from the occasional cigar and pitch it to the waiting garden below.

»

»

» Three things:

»

» 1. At least in the beginning, put that punch cutter aside, with

» fresh/young cigars, the small opening can accentuate the worst aspects.

»

» 2. Get that humidity down a little (65%) or dry box (leave it out of the

» humidor) the cigar you plan to enjoy for 24 hrs.

»

» 3. Not all that is bad today is bad tomorrow. Sample again some things

» that you don't like as it is only after sampling the same Marque and

» vitola over numerous years that you can get a real line on what you like

» and you do not like.

»

» It is a great journey.....enjoy.

Prez

Thanks for the advice.

I will definitely use the cutter from now on and I will dry box my next selection.

Again, thanks to everyone on the forum for providing such great information.

John

[Tampa1257]

John, Rob's advice about the humidity is extremely important to be able to taste the flavors of a Habano. The maximum rh that I have found where the flavors are at their peak is 65%, I personally keep my humidors at 63%. I have found keeping Habanos above 65% rh have resulted in the cigar tasting muted, bland, fugly tasting sort of like the Famosos you smoked. The dry boxing is another excellent suggestion.

Tampa

[sptcigars]

» John, Rob's advice about the humidity is extremely important to be able to

»

john, I too consider myself new to the vast world of cigars. A friend of mine sent me a famosos and I have to tell you it was absolutely the best thing I've had, or at least one of the best. My friend told me that it was a cigar of chocolate flavor and he was dead on. I dry boxed that baby for 48hrs. Maybe this helped in the taste. Listen to the prez, I've gotten alot of the same advice not only from him but many others who are here to help newbee's out. The 65%rh is important and so is dry boxing. I knew nothing about dry boxing until recently and it does make a difference then just smoking the cigar right out of the humi.

Enjoy those robustos.

[phxkev]

If I was a porn star, I would name myself Robusto Sampler.

[Colt45]

» If I was a porn star, I would name myself Robusto Sampler.

»

I'd have to go with Adonis Diademas..........

[Tampa1257]

» If I was a porn star, I would name myself Robusto Sampler.

Robusto Grande

[smokum]

Mike Hunt

[El Presidente]

» If I was a porn star, I would name myself Robusto Sampler.

Montecristo Magnum

[johns1485]

» » If I was a porn star, I would name myself Robusto Sampler.

»

» Montecristo Magnum

I might go with Robusto Extra.

Anyway, the journey continues.

Tonight I selected the HDM Epicure 2.

I have checked the humidity level in my humi with a calibrated digital hygrometer and it is holding steady at 67%.

I know I said I would dry box this one but The Demon Rum, (or in this case Newcastle), has clouded my judgement.

Nice looking stick. Felt a little spongy.

This one had a very loose draw and the burn was a little uneven.

The volume of smoke was no where near the VR Famosos or the JL2 I had smoked previously.

The volume of smoke increased significantly in the second half but there was really not much flavor in this cigar.

I like to bet on sports. When I win I am happy. When I lose I am pissed. This cigar was a push. Not offensive but not exciting.

I think, in my semi-intoxicated state,that I am beginning to understand a small part of the fascination and mystery of Habanos. Each stick provides somewhat of a unique experience. I like that.

I will post again after my next experience.

I hope everyone has a great weekend.

John

[Tel RNB]

Sorry to hear that Johns, the Epi #2 is one of my favorites.

[El Presidente]

Take out your next cigar now....NOW DAMN IT!!!! and Drybox it :-D

[Colt45]

» Take out your next cigar now....NOW DAMN IT!!!! and Drybox it :-D

Something I've always wanted to ask about dryboxing.......

What if the air outside your humidor is more humid than the air inside your humidor?

[El Presidente]

» » Take out your next cigar now....NOW DAMN IT!!!! and Drybox it :-D

»

» Something I've always wanted to ask about dryboxing.......

»

» What if the air outside your humidor is more humid than the air inside

» your humidor?

Get a house with air conditioning

[Colt45]

» » » Take out your next cigar now....NOW DAMN IT!!!! and Drybox it :-D

» »

» » Something I've always wanted to ask about dryboxing.......

» »

» » What if the air outside your humidor is more humid than the air inside

» » your humidor?

»

» Get a house with air conditioning

Thank you for the advice. Would you recommend a Porsche or Ferrari in the garage?

[smokum]

Bugatti

[Colt45]

» Bugatti

Oh sure - next you'll be telling me I need indoor plumbing as well.

[El Presidente]

» » Bugatti

»

» Oh sure - next you'll be telling me I need indoor plumbing as well.

At least you have internet connection which is one step ahead of Ken.

[Colt45]

» » » Bugatti

» »

» » Oh sure - next you'll be telling me I need indoor plumbing as well.

»

»

»

» At least you have internet connection which is one step ahead of Ken.

True - I guess I should be thankful for the little things in life :-)