Pre-light Experience

The wrapper on the G.A.R. American Standard Robusto is a marbled medium brown along with some decently raised veins. The seams are smooth and the head is finished pretty well. There is a single band meant to look like two bands, with the top portion carrying the brand name with an eagle and American flag shield. The lower portion looks like a secondary band with the line name on it. The band is too big for the ring gauge as the first part of the line name is covered by the other end of the band wrapping over. The aroma from the wrapper is a musty mix of cedar and earth while the foot brings an even mustier version of the same components. The pre-light draw brings musty cedar and dusty earth.

First Third

The cigar begins with musty, toasted cedar, earth and creamy black pepper. At a half inch in, the black pepper mellows a fair amount. The retrohale is musty, toasted cedar and earth. As the third comes to a close, the musty, toasted cedar is up front, earth in the middle and mild black pepper in the background. The strength was slightly below medium.

Second Third

As the final third begins, the black pepper is barely hanging on in the background. At a quarter inch in, the cedar gains a slight dampness. The retrohale remains musty, toasted cedar and earth. At an inch in, the black pepper increases a bit. As the third comes to a close, the musty, slightly damp toasted cedar is up front, with earth a bit behind and the black pepper a bit behind the earth. The strength bumped up to medium.

Final Third

As the final third begins, the toast level increases a bit. The retrohale is now musty, toasted cedar, earth and mild black pepper. At an inch in, the black pepper is now even with the earth. At an inch and a quarter, the toast level is now quite heavy. As the cigar wraps up, the musty, heavily toasted and slight damp cedar is up front with the earth and black pepper a bit behind. The strength remained at medium.

Burn

The burn was a bit wavy throughout, but never needed any attention. The ash held on through each third.

Draw

The draw was slightly tighter than I prefer, but didn’t cause any issues with the smoking experience.

Overall

The cigar began with musty, toasted cedar, earth and creamy black pepper. The second third saw the cedar gain a slight dampness. The final third saw the toast level become pretty heavy and the pepper increased to become even with the earth. The G.A.R. American Standard Robusto had an average flavor profile throughout, just focused around musty, toasted cedar, earth and black pepper. Not a cigar I’d really see myself coming back to, but for a cigar at this price point, well worth those that prefer lower priced cigars to check out. I’ve had equal experiences with cigars priced three times or more than this.

Aaron Loomis

SCORE

5.50

Cost/Point

$1.00

Scoring System

Personal Cigar Review: G.A.R. American Standard Robusto