Smoking one of these ROTT. Robusto size 5 X 52.

This size is under $3 a stick by the box with free shipping. Plus, Famous almost always has some kind of freebie when you buy a box.

Nice looking smoke, dark brown wrapper. Draw is a bit loose but tolerable.

First 1/3: Nice flavor and aroma. You can tell right away this is a Nicaraguan ligero bomb. Flavor is similar to Tatuajes and the fuller-flavored Pepins. It has that "signature" Nicaraguan flavor. Rich, deep, spicy flavor. Not as much 'in your face' spice as Tats or Pepins. Kinda similar to the Perdomo Fresh-Rolled from CI, with a teeny bit more 'oomph'. These are made by Tabacalera Tropical, and I believe Pepin still gets a lot of his tobacco from them.

Second 1/3: Some nice flavor changes are coming in. A nice clove kind of flavor through the nose, and a soft fruit flavor on the finish. I use the term "soft fruit" when describing a fruity flavor that is not citrus. More in the pear/peach realm. Burn is a bit crooked but needs no correction. WHOA...my head just felt a little funny. This cigar is packin' some serious nicotine. Maybe a corona or lonsdale size would be a better choice for me. Man, the depth of flavor in Nicaraguan puros these days is amazing.

Quick sidetrack: I can hardly wait until the embargo is lifted and we start seeing cigars blended with Cuban and Nicaraguan tobacco. Those are gonna be some fantastic cigars. :-)


Final 1/3: The spice has kicked up a notch. Wait...make that 2 notches. The initial and strongest flavor is the spice blast, but the undertones of the flavor are all over the place. Floral, fruit, clove. My head is buzzing a bit. Wow, this cigar ain't no joke! Most definitely an after dinner smoke. Burn has needed a few corrections since the halfway point, but for now I will chalk that up to how fresh the cigars are.

I let this bad boy die at around 1".

Final thoughts: I enjoyed this cigar a lot. I can't wait to let them sit a few months and revisit. These make a nice Tatuaje alternative for us broke mofos! :-)
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These are a real sleeper, especially around this board and what used to be CS, but booyyyy are they DAMN good. I've said it once, and I'll say it again, the corona size of these is eerily similar in profile to the brown label tats, but not quite as spicy, and a bit sweeter, which I happen to like a lot. These have launched themselves into my new favorite as of late, and those who like nic puros, Pepin corojo stuff etc.... would do well to pick up a box, especially the corona size. Tabacalera tropical stuff is pretty damn good even when it doesn't want to burn, which these DO burn perfectly, but when you get the flavor and the construction, its heaven. Great review man.
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Smoking another one of these right now. This could easily become a new favorite cheapo. Think I will try lonsdales next. :-)
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Thanks for the review!:-)
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Great review Mark. Guess I'll have to revisit these once again:-)
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Thanks for the review...You guys sold me. Ill pick up a some singles next payday.
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Nice review:-)
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I did end up snagging a box of lonsdales. Smoking one right now. I like the robustos more, but these are still a great flavorful smoke. They are growing some really nice tobacco down there in Nicaragua. :-)
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Great review Mark!!
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This cigar has been on my maybe list for quite some time. I think you moved it up to "When I get some money"
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