I would have smoked the final third three times. In fact, if I did, I would have loved the cigar. I want to come back to this Domain Negentropy Robusto Extra and give it some time to age and rest. I feel it is still young, but it has a nice Nicaraguan flavor profile, and the Ecuadorian wrapper does well on the cigar. It’s a nice blend that delivers solid flavors from start to finish. That final third was so nice.
The New Cuba Superior Connecticut Robusto had a nice start, with the sweetness mixing with the components from the tobacco. As the sweetness faded the tobacco components were more prevalent and the overall profile took a slight step down and maintained that level the rest of the way. This is an interesting cigar with the added sweetness from the head. I'm on the fence on this one.
The Micallef Blue Robusto is a solid cigar. Nothing extraordinary, but a solid release. The blend was balanced with a nice flavor profile throughout. The price is fantastic as well! I have not smoked the entire Micallef portfolio, and this may be an affordable offering, but it’s a solid release. I would smoke this again and pick them up at an event.
The 3 Leaf Connecticut Fifty had a fun start with a slow introduction of the various flavors. The profile took a step down in the second third as the flavor profile wasn't as dynamic and was pretty linear the rest of the way. This was a nice introduction to a new brand. While the cigar isn't really something I'd see coming back to, it's interesting enough to make me want to check out their other lines.
The Room101 Hit & Run Redux Robusto had an interesting start with cream, wood, earth, spices, dark fruit and tobacco notes all providing engaging combinations. The second third and last thirds were pleasant but lost complexity for me as they progressed. I think the natural comparisons here will be both the Room101 Hit & Run original, as well as the Part Deux Rip & Dip. I enjoyed both previous iterations significantly more.
The Domain Neutron Robusto Extra had a full flavor profile that was well balanced through the first two thirds. It dropped down a bit in the final third as the earth dried out and took a slight lead in the profile. This cigar is a shining light in the slew of Mexican San Andres wrapped releases this year. It did a good job for the majority of the smoking time to balance that earth with the other components and used some good supporting notes.
A Bronx Tale Calogero Robusto seems to be 20 to 30 years late, but with how everything else is trending, maybe cigars like this are back in style. It is fairly one dimensional, but not offensive. It has a blend that is balanced by the Dominican and Nicaraguan tobacco, and a wrapper that has a profile in line with the filler blends. I would buy a box at an event with Chazz and even smoke through a handful of them at an event.
The Sancho Panza Extra Chido Robusto started out quite promising with interesting flavor combinations. The second third was almost as good but just missed the mark, still delivering an enjoyable third. I found the last third to be pleasant but not at the same level as the first or second thirds. Although the second third wasn't quite to the same level for me as the first third, I think my overall takeaway is that this is something I would smoke again, especially taking into account the affordable price point.
The Macanudo Vintage Maduro 2013 Robusto had a promising start with balanced and restrained flavors in the first third. The second third almost reached the same level of complexity but unfortunately fell just short. I found the last third to be fairly flat compared to the rest of the cigar. Overall, I found the Macanudo Vintage Maduro 2013 Robusto to be quite pleasant to review, and despite the overall score I think it's something I could see myself occasionally smoking.
The E.P. Carrillo Short Run 2023 Robusto had an average flavor profile throughout, focused around toasted oak, earth and black pepper. There were some slight transitions, but nothing that ever made the profile exciting. Interesting to smoke an EPC made by Oscar Valladares, but it's not a cigar I'd come back to.