Wednesday, May 6, 2009

Macanudo Portofino Robust



Cigar: Macanudo Portofino Robust
Origin: Dominican Republic
Length: 7.00
Ring: 34
Strength: Medium
Wrapper: Dark Brown
Wrapper: Connecticut
Binder: Mexico
Filler: Dominican Republic/Mexico
Shape: Parejo
Purchased: Jumbo, Enid, OK, $6.49

When: May 5, 2009, 2:30 p.m.
Where: Mike's Garage
Environment: Rainy, 60 degrees
Beverage: Iced Tea
Lighter: Cedar sleeve
Cut: Double Guillotine

In honor of Cinco de Mayo, my pal Karold took me out for a fine lunch of primo Mexican fare and then generously purchased a selection of premium cigars to cap off the event.

Pre-Light: Straight out of the green aluminum tube, this Robust had a sweet and earthy fragrance with hints of cedar. The binding was a bit rough and looked veiny, but the burn was good. The wrapper was the color of creamy coffee and had a light, salty taste with a pleasant tanginess.

Initial smoke is sweet and mild and companioned with a wonderful aroma. After an inch or so, the aroma remained sweet and earthy. The flavors, while not amazingly complex, were pleasing to the senses, growing more and more robust and spicy.

This stogie had a middle of the road draw. Often these slim cigars can have a tight draw that distracts from the overall experience, but this stick was just tight enough to remind you that you were drawing on it without the distraction. Good burn, fine ash.

Halfway in, a variety of complexities began to set in. The most enjoyable for me was the taste and fragrance of dark chocolate. Yum!

The Robust is a great cigar for smokers who favor the distinctions of Macanudo but who also enjoy a stouter stick and the characteristics of a maduro wrapper.

Long, robust finish with flavors of sweet dark coffee, chocolate, and heady spice.

4 comments:

Lisa Chapmond said...

sounds good

Dr. Mike Kear said...

It was!

Unknown said...

Just smoked one of these. I didn't like it; tough draw, uneven burn. Maybe I had a bad one.

Dr. Mike Kear said...

I've had a few with a tight draw as well. I think it has something to do with the construction of these skinny sticks. There's nothing more disappointing than getting a cigar with a draw so tight you can't smoke it. I generally stay away from the skinnier ones and stick to the fat stogies- especially robustos!