Cohiba Robusto MAS MAR 08

[Colt45]

A young cigar, but I wanted to give myself a baseline for future reference.

Construction: All seems in order.

Wrapper: On the colorado maduro side of colorado. A bit leathery to the touch with a light oily sheen. Just a touch of mottling.

Pre-Light Aroma / Draw: Aroma of light barnyard and tobacco. Nice draw with a light tobacco taste.

Draw / Burn / Smoke: Excellent draw and smoke volume. Burn is off first half, but straightens in the second.

Overall Taste Impressions: Initial draws of nuts and tobacco, quickly settling into a core of light tobacco with overtones of dried honey and

dried milk chocolate. Hints now and then of lemon grass and peach-like fruit. Body is medium plus, but deceptively so - delivered in an almost

delicate fashion. Finish in the first half is slightly woody and lightly tannic, and just a bit dirty and rather thin.

In the second half, body picks up a bit while the finish smooths out, becoming fuller and much more supple. Along with the core flavors, there is

the occasional taste of sweet almond. Nearing the end, there is the black pepper ligero kick I often encounter in young cigars, but it is not harsh

or bitter. Overall, not overly complex or rich at this time, but much more than a straightforward cigar.

Extremely enjoyable now, I've no reason to believe that these will not mature into what I consider the typical Cohiba robusto - a great cigar

and one of Havana's best. Already a smooth and fairly well balanced cigar, I think more time for integration will only make it more so.

The band may be a bit ostentatious, but I think these earn it, and I applaud Habanos for an excellent cigar.

Score: An easy 90 with the best yet to come.

[Stormin691]

Sounds awesome Colt- I have a box EST May 08 that I have yet to try they are sleeping now... But I cant wait!!! Nice review!

[thechenman]

Thanks for the great review. Very detailed. I've got to get some of these...I have on CoRo sitting in my humidor. I feel the urge to smoke it tonight.

[anacostiakat]

Sounds awesome Colt- I have a box EST May 08 that I have yet to try they are sleeping now... But I cant wait!!! Nice review!

Ditto!

[aavkk]

thanks for the review Colt. this is another in a long list of 08's that I would like to have but dont have room for in the humidor. I know, I know online locker... we'll see.

[Ken Gargett]

thanks for this. not sure if the same code but the coro we had for the review was one of the very best smoks of the year.

[El Presidente]

Great review Colt.

The very good 08 CORO's have it all. A couple of years should see the few rough edges gone and hopefully the intensity of honey, nuts, coffee come to the fore.

Great to see how well they are smoking young.

[jquest63]

Excellent review, I will definitely think about your review when I light one up this week.

[Guest rob]

Bravo Zulu!

[Colt45]

Yeah guys, a great cigar, and one I have no problem recommending members give a shot when they can. After my initial post, I watched the '08 CoBusto

video review again. My thoughts echo the panel's findings.

As RA has mentioned, this early '08 has everything in place - it's one of those cigars that shows you how great it is, and will be, right now.

[Guest rob]

... but where did your propriety 20 point rating system go?

[Colt45]

... but where did your propriety 20 point rating system go?

Robbo, as I've mentioned, it was kind of an exercise and perhaps point of discussion. I've thought it best to stick with the system most

members are using. But, it would have received around 15/20, surely to move up in the future.

re: BZ, TY

[phresh]

Great review. Sounds like a must try.