Robustos - What are you smoking?

[jamesward]

I have been lighting up the RASS and loving it lately regardless of the vintage. This got me thinking and I would like to throw this one out to the group. I am looking to build up my robusto inventory and was wondering what other people prefer in this format. Here are my 3 go-to robusto:

1. Ramon Allones Specially Selected

2. Hoyo De Monterrey Epicure No. 2

3. Bolivar Royal Coronas

Try to keep it within the official 50 X 4 7/8 size with small variations.

Thoughts, suggestions?

[Colt45]

I'm not the biggest fan of this format, but the Cohiba robusto is an excellent cigar.

I've also enjoyed the RyJ short churchills.

Going to the ever slightly thinner hermosos no.4, I think the Vegas Robaina famosos

is a great cigar as well, but I've found they need lots of time to integrate and mature,

though I've not smoked any very recent vintages.

[Tampa1257]

I tend to place the Cohiba Robusto into a class of its own due to expense. While it is an excellent tasting cigar, I find it too expensive to make a daily smoke (at least for me, I can not justify the expense)

Other Robusto / Hermosos which for the most part are basically the same size vitola IMHO, I would highly recommend that you give these a try:

PSD4

VR Famosos

JL Seleccion No.2

RyJ Exhibition No.4

The PSD4 is a full bodied, sweet peppery spice which is earthy and bold.

The CR Famosos is rich medium to medium full bodied with a earthy mocha and coffee essence that is somewhat chocolaty in nature

The Juan Lopez Sel No.2 is fruity, herbal and floral, which is very nice on the palate and IMHO very often over looked, it deserves more attention IMHO.

The RyJ Exhibition No.4 is a fruity rich tobacco delightful cigar to enjoy, if you enjoy the RASS, you should also enjoy the RyJ Exhibition No.4. I prefer the Exhibition No.4 over the RyJ Short Churchill, better flavor for my palate

[cryinlicks]

psd4 (great fresh)

vr famosos

coro

[strayvector]

PSD4 is the closest I come to an everyday cigar. When I don't want to think about what to smoke, I pull out the PSD4. After that, in order of number of cigars smoked, it would be CoRo, JL no.2, ERDM CS, and VR Famoso.

[Ken Gargett]

if one had the funds, a cohiba a day...

[habanohal]

DAily cigars are pretty much

CoRo

Boli RC

RYJ Short Churchill

5+ yr HDM Epicure #2*

[kilroy]

When I go robusto:

RASS (gotta be aged)

CORO (any year)

and of course the daddy:

PSD4 (The flowing robes, the grace, bald, striking)

[kmax]

CORO is king of the robo IMO. RASS and the Romeo SC have been on as of late.

[sharks]

Cohiba Robusto is the one for me, although still yet to try many of the listed above.

[maalouly]

First on the list would be:

1 - PSD 4 (easy smoke)

2 - RASS

3 - Bolivar RC

[Jimmy2]

PSD4.. like Chuck sad excellant 08 out of the box the best i have had in a long time rich and strong...

VR Famosos..like Chuck said / very tasty dark creamy flavors

BRC..Just excellant earthy sweet rich Bolivar flavor

R&JSC Just excellant !!! the best in the brand i would say 08 Med to Full sweat fruit spice just all around classic R&J flavor..

RASS... Great Fresh only if you like old school Cuban flavor hell these are ment to be smoked fresh as this was a perfered taste back in the day.But sometimes to strong young you will not taste all the sweet stwed fruit flavors in full but an aged flavor profile they will blossom.But young ones over all have been great smoking out of the box

[jamesward]

Thanks Guys. Some thoughtful replies in there. I tend to agree with on Cohiba Robusto (as well as the magicos) - great cigar, but cost performance puts it out of my daily range. Partagas series D, Juan Lopez Seleccion #2 and the RyJ short churchills are all going on my hit list. PSD4 is a nice mild smoke for me and that should have been on the original 3 I listed as being my go-to. Vegas Rabaina Hermosos would also be something to try in the coming months.

[maalouly]

I thought I would share the PSD4 I just had this arvo. I love the cigar.

[shrink]

I've learned that you just can't have too many Partagas D4's. You can smoke 'em young, and they're sweet, spicy and peppery. You can age 'em a year or two, and they just smooth out: an iron fist in a velvet glove. Or you can forget 'em for five or ten years, and wake up to one of the greatest robustos on the planet.

All the rest have to get in line behind the king. Including the CoRo, IMO.

[SpeedyGonzales]

Well. I´ve to admit I have a different opinion on these mentioned above. Though I used to like to PSD4 for being a bold, full-bodied, easy smoke I had not much fun with these sticks lately. Somehow flat, light aromas, tightly rolled etc. Will give the ´08s a try though. Same goes for the RASS – I´ve tried to enjoy them over and over again, but it just doesn´t make my day. Every single one had very fragile aromas just as it had to open up (but it didn´t in the end). Honestly, I can´t understand the rush for RASS.

On the other side, robustos are nice cigars for the daily delight – and I prefer the Bolivar Royal Coronas or the ERdM Choix Supreme. Juan Lopez S2 are phantastic as well. I like the RyJ Hermosos No.4 and Short Churchill also. Haven´t had too much Cohiba Robustos yet, but they´ve been very nice indeed.

Just my 2 cents ;-)

Greets, Speedy

[jms2788]

CoRo, PSD4, HDM Epi #2 are all good. RASS can be good too, but recently I haven't had much luck with them.

[jeromeroselli]

I noticed not one person really mentioned the Magicos, which fits into that +/- category. I find that interesting.

Daily cigars aside, do you like this cigar at all?

[Tampa1257]

To answer your question jerome, the Magicos that I have smoked were underwhelming and lacked any umph, I was extremely disappointed in them and decided never to buy them, especially for their cost, I could buy many other Robusto's and have a guaranteed great smoking experience vs an expensive hum drum lackluster smoking experience.

[maalouly]

To answer your question jerome, the Magicos that I have smoked were underwhelming and lacked any umph, I was extremely disappointed in them and decided never to buy them, especially for their cost, I could buy many other Robusto's and have a guaranteed great smoking experience vs an expensive hum drum lackluster smoking experience.

I totally agree with you mate.

[jeromeroselli]

That's disappointing to hear. I've only had an experience with the Secretos from the Maduro 5 series, and although it was a quick smoke it had a lot of the characteristics that I enjoy in a cigar.. Coco, creme, etc. Unfortunately it's very expensive and like I said, a bit too quick, and many other cigars offer that same profile in better vitolas and much more reasonably priced.

Personally I view the Maduro 5 series as the Kobe Beef of foods. Unfortunately I don't feel Kobe is worth the price.

Same difference.

Thanks for the insight.

To contribute to the topic.. I just had an HDM2 that was excellent. Robusto is my fav. vitola.

[El Presidente]

For me, Cohiba Robusto and Por Larranaga Regional Release are the current stanouts along with the HDM Epicure 2 of 07/08.

[seadub]

PSD4 is the closest I come to an everyday cigar. When I don't want to think about what to smoke, I pull out the PSD4. After that, in order of number of cigars smoked, it would be CoRo, JL no.2, ERDM CS, and VR Famoso.

Ah, Sam... always pushing the PSD4.

They are mighty good, but my personal fav is an aged CoRo. Nirvana.

The last few VR Famosos I've had have not measured up (unfortunately).

[jeromeroselli]

I don't mean to expand the thread... but this is something I sometimes think about while we're on the topic of Robustos.

Now, I've got a limited selection to choose from at home, but I find that the only cigars I'll consider buying for myself are Robustos. Is anyone else like this? I used to love NC churchhills and the like, but once I started smoking for the enjoyment factor, (esp. cc) it's Robustos only. It might be a fault, and I'm sure everyone has their thoughts and feelings on that. I'm sure my tastes will expand and grow with time, but is anyone else like me in that regard?

[Colt45]

I find that the only cigars I'll consider buying for myself are Robustos. Is anyone else like this?

I'm kind of the opposite - I find myself caring less and less for the format, and rarely but them.

What other reason is there to smoke except for enjoyment?