Cohiba Robusto '05

[bmills313]

So I've never done one of these but after the cigar I just had, I felt it was my duty to share with the rest of my fellow cigar lovers!

Cigar: Cohiba Robusto

Year: 2005

Month: Unknown (no longer have the box)

Storage: desktop humidor, 60-65 RH, temperatures in the 60's to 80's

Taster: 32 y/o with about 15 years smoking under my belt (5 with Havanas), though I don't smoke all that much anymore

The Setup (aka the Non-Cigar Stuff):

I switched my career and life path recently as the last year has been abysmal in my old line of work (commercial real estate loans) and I saw the writing on the wall that in this economy and this line of work, I was soon about to head the way of the dinosaurs. My new profession (a futures trader) is extremely exciting and I love every second of it...but it's a pursuit that tests you financially, emotionally and mentally every second of every day. I welcome the challenges and love what I do, but the last couple weeks have been a bit more trying than others and I needed to get my mind back on track and just wash my hands of the last couple weeks, or even the last year or more!

In any event, my girlfriend went out for a girls night of popcorn, drinks and movies at a friend's house and I had a little "me" time this evening and I thought this was a great time to revisit some old friends that I'd been saving for quite some time. I opened up the desktop humidor (where I keep the singles and those cigars that are "on deck") and looked at some newer smokes I'd picked up this summer but knew I had some stuff that had not seen the light of day in quite some time. I found a couple CoRo's that I bought from Czar back in 2006 and was very excited, for I'd all but forgotten I had them. I remember liking them very much back then but had not smoked one in 3 years. This would be a TRUE test of how well a cigar of this caliber ages and I could not wait. I poured a glass of JW Green Label and went outside into the cool, yet still humid Southern California evening to see what this beauty could do.

The Smoke:

The CoRo is a supple, gorgeous cigar with no noticeable veins and impeccable construction. They're not cheap by any means, but the second you hold one you get the feeling that you still got the better end of the deal, no matter what price you paid.

I clipped it and lit it up slowly; I wanted this experience to last! The first couple puffs were a bit strained, hot and harsh but I find every cigar I smoke to be that way until it catches its stride...and catch its stride it did.

After just a couple minutes, I begin rehashing old memories of this cigar and replacing them with even better memories. The overall flavor profile had mellowed out and the "bite" of the new(er) tobacco was 100% gone. The flavors had flourished and were present in spades and while my palette can't tell you if it was stone fruit, biscuit, leather or any of the other flavors people swear are present...I can tell you that there was a gorgeous thickness to the taste that lingers even now an hour after I finished. Usually, that's not a good thing but this is wonderful. Sweet, creamy, slightly spicy and very earthy...that's how I'd describe it. 3 years ago I would have described the flavors the same way, but with a grassier taste and a noticeable bite. The aging seems to have worked extremely well. Let me say that again... THE AGING SEEMS TO HAVE WORKED EXTREMELY WELL. How much better these would be after 3 more years in the humidor ain't gonna happen: I'm smoking these beauties before then! HA!

The burn was perfect, the ash was a solid blackish-grey, the smoke ample but not overkill. As with most all Havanas, I like to call them "tamed beasts." By that, I mean you know you're smoking a serious cigar but you're never punished by it. Shitty smokes will punish you the whole way, from Havana or anywhere else; it's not a pleasant experience. I feel that the best Havanas exhibit this tamed beast characteristic in every single way. They're strong without being overpowering, tasty without going overboard. I remember the cigars back when I first got them 3 years ago being a bit more harsh; younger tobacco that had not yet reached its prime, but still very good. I believe tonight's cigar was what I was looking for 3 years ago. Would I say the cigar 3 years ago was bad? Absolutely not. The "tamed beast" was still there, it was just a bit more excited than tonight's CoRo; a puppy compared to a trusty 8-year old hunting dog.

I know it's tough to put these beauties away and let them blossom into something so much better than they are when you get them, but I can't stress enough how well this cigar aged. With 3+ years under it's belt, this cigar is probably one of the 2 greatest cigars I have ever smoked, bar none. The caliber of craftsmanship from the blend to the construction as well as the flavors present lend themselves perfectly to being stored away for some time.

The Recommendation:

If you were ever trying to convert someone over to smoking cigars, THIS is the cigar you would offer them. It is so approachable, so easy to smoke yet incredibly complex and hugely satisfying it makes you truly appreciate the art of mixing and crafting a quality cigar. The flavors are just out of this world and the Cohiba name does not disappoint. There may be better, cheaper Havanas out there but I doubt once the dust settles that you'll find a better robusto than the CoRo and again: at any price, you're still getting the better end of the deal. There's a reason this is one of the most coveted Havanas in the world and I will surely be smoking them all my years...

The Conclusion:

All in all, this was the perfect turning point after a rough couple of weeks. I only have 2 left from that vintage but a new box of 08's arrived a few months ago. As tempting as it will be to smoke those right away, after experiencing how magnificently they aged I'm inclined to store them away for a few more years and then be rewarded hugely for my patience.

Rating: 10/10 (3 years ago, an 8.5)

Thanks, Rob, and I'll see everyone around

[Hoops]

Thanks for the review! I recently smoked a CoRo from 2003 (GKI 12/03), and my experience was very similar to yours. A fantastic smoke.

I was tempted to immediately dig out one of the remaining cigars from this batch and smoke another right away, but I resisted. I recently purchase a box with '08 code, and hope they will eventually come close to this one.

-Hoops

[dicko]

cool review! ive got a 3pk of singles coming my way, really looking forward to them. ill get myself a box one day. first pay packet out of uni probably

great to hear things are picking up for you too!

[El Presidente]

Fantastic Review

I think a fine Cohiba Robusto with a little age is one of the best cigars of all. They are simply a treat to behold.

[Buch0]

Great write up of a great cigar. Your review is much appreciated, good luck with the new profession aswell!

[aavkk]

great review, and its nice to see you have a few left to enjoy.

[Guest rob]

That is a pretty impressive first post! Well done, mate... and I sincerely look forward to more.

[bmills313]

Thanks, all! It was a great cigar and while I had no doubts it was going to be good, I didn't know it was going to be THAT good! I don't veer too far off the beaten path of the "usual suspects" in the Havana lineup and picking up CoRo's is a great example of that. But since I don't smoke much and would rather buy the best quality I can over the most quantity or a mixture of the two for my dollar...I very happy I chose what I did!

I'm 100% sold on aging anything I buy. I don't smoke all that much so it shouldn't be that difficult to exercise some patience...it's just nice to know that you are rewarded so well for your patience AGE YOUR CIGARS, PEOPLE! HAHA!!

Cheers!!

[thechenman]

Great 1st review on a great cigar. Haven't experienced any CoRos with that much age on them, but I recently sampled on from early 2008 that I am looking forward to writing up. Keep the reviews coming...