Short Robusto Archives - Developing Palates - Cigar, Beer and Spirit Reviews and Ratings

Team Cigar Review: Cachitos Connecticut

I love every aspect of the Cachitos Connecticut. I love the flavor profile, strength, price and overall performance. I even love the little dark circle on the cap. I don’t know what that is all about, but I dig it. It’s a quick smoke, but that is great for this time of the year. There is a nice bit of strength and body with this Connecticut wrapper, and the filler tobacco compliments the traits of Connecticut Shade. Cream, cedar, cocoa, spices and earth throughout. I really hope these stay consistent over the years.

Seth Geise, December 8, 2025

Team Cigar Review: HVC Black Friday 2023

The HVC Black Friday 2023 had an average flavor profile throughout, focused around the earth, black pepper and toasted cedar. Not a very exciting profile, and it was quite bold with a decent level of strength. Not really a cigar I'd see myself coming back to, but for those that like a bold profile, this smoked slow and gave a good smoking time, so there may be some value there.

Aaron Loomis, November 29, 2024

Personal Cigar Review: E.P. Carrillo Pledge Firecracker

The E.P. Carrillo Pledge Firecracker had an average flavor profile throughout, just focused around the toasted cedar, earth and baking spice/black pepper. I find this format polarizing, as some blends are a quick flavor bomb and others are just linear mediocrity. This blend falls into the latter category and I wouldn't see myself coming back to it.

Aaron Loomis, July 5, 2024

Team Cigar Review: El Artista Big Papi Firecracker

The El Artista Big Papi Firecracker had an average and very linear flavor profile throughout, which could be expected with its short length. To me, this size doesn't present the best of what the line can offer and I'd prefer one of the regular production vitolas when it comes to this line. Fun to smoke it in this size, but I don't see myself returning.

Aaron Loomis, September 6, 2022

Team Cigar Review: Tatuaje Cohete Capa Especial

Sometimes you don't need to write three paragraphs of flavor descriptions, and such is the case with the Tatuaje Cohete Capa Especial. Delivering interesting and engaging flavors through the first and second thirds, it was pleasant through the last third but without the same level of flavor balance. I'll happily pick more of these up.

John McTavish, June 20, 2022

Team Cigar Review: Tatuaje Cohete Reserva

This Tatuaje Cohete Reserva was a great little blast of Broadleaf. Shots of espresso with cojones. I loved the size and flavor profile from start to finish. It had strength, body and flavors. Complex flavors. Very enjoyable with amazing burn and construction. The espresso, oak, leather, earth, pepper and cocoa powder notes were great together. They often are, and Pete delivered on that dark Broadleaf profile.

Seth Geise, May 30, 2022

Team Cigar Review: Tatuaje Cohete

The manner in which the Tatuaje Cohete currently tastes has all the key components to what should be a good cigar, given some more aging. The profile's rawness in good flavors as well as the oily nature of the cigar typically will mean a more balanced and cohesive flavor profile. I typically don't purchase many cigars these days, but I did buy a box of these. So in that sense, I am equating my words to my wallet.

Jiunn Liu, May 4, 2022

Team Cigar Review: Dunbarton Tobacco & Trust Mi Querida Triqui Traca No. 448

The Dunbarton Tobacco & Trust Mi Querida Triqui Traca No. 448 started well with rich flavors. The second third lost some complexity and added a cardboard note which dropped the profile down a level, but the final third picked back up in enjoyment. Definitely a cigar I'd be up for smoking more of.

Aaron Loomis, April 13, 2022

Personal Cigar Review: United Cigar Irish Car Bomb Firecracker

Overall, the flavor profile of the United Cigar Irish Car Bomb Firecracker was fairly average. The transitioning seemed to come with the wrapper changes, which is nice to see. Well priced for what was delivered and a fun little smoke, but not something I'd chase down more of.

Aaron Loomis, March 17, 2022

Team Cigar Review: Warped La Hacienda First Growth

The Warped La Hacienda First Growth showed some interesting characteristics in the first third, combining spices, bread, cedar and chocolate. The flavor profile seemed to lose much of its complexity into the second third, becoming wood forward for most of the last half of the cigar. As it is, there are other excellent Warped offerings I would rather gravitate towards.

John McTavish, December 27, 2021