Pre-light Experience

The wrapper on the J.C. Newman The American Double Robusto is between light and medium brown and has a network of lightly raised veins that carry a lighter color, giving a turtle shell effect. The seams are raised in some areas while the caps are well applied. The band is red, gold and black and denotes the line name on front and the company name on one side and the location of the factory on the other. The aroma from the wrapper is a light mix of hay and earth while the foot brings a light mix of bread and earth. The pre-light draw brings an airy, sweet cedar along with a light floral note.

First Third

The cigar begins with toasted cedar, earth and baking spice. At a quarter inch in, a light mustiness joins the profile. At a half inch in, the baking spice has mellowed a bit, but does have a long finish. The retrohale is toasted cedar, earth and mild black pepper. As the third comes to a close, the toasted cedar and earth are even up front while the baking spice is a bit behind and a light mustiness is in the background. The strength is slightly above medium.

Second Third

As the second third begins, the toasted cedar exhibits a bit of a green/young note to it. At a half inch in, the young note has gone away and the baking spice has transitioned to a mellow black pepper. The retrohale is now toasted cedar and light earth. As the third comes to a close, the toasted cedar is just ahead of the earth while the black pepper is a bit further behind with light mustiness in the background. The strength remains at slightly above medium.

Final Third

As the final third begins, the toast level increases a bit, bringing a light wood bitterness. At three quarters of an inch, the young/green note returns to the cedar. The retrohale remains toasted cedar and light earth. At an inch in, the cigar warms up and a vegetal note joins in. As the cigar wraps up, the profile is toasted young/green cedar with earth and the vegetal note a bit behind and black pepper and mustiness in the background. The strength remained at slightly above medium.

Burn

The burn was a bit wavy throughout, but always self-corrected and the cigar went out once, requiring a re-light.

Draw

The draw was perfect, with just the right amount of resistance that I prefer.

Overall

The cigar began with toasted cedar, earth and baking spice. A light mustiness joined a bit later. The second third saw the cedar take on a young/green note for a bit and the baking spice transitioned to black pepper. The final third saw the young/green note return and a vegetal note joined in. The overall profile for the J.C. Newman The American Double Robusto was pretty average throughout with some slight transitions that never took the cigar to a higher level. In my opinion, this is not the best vitola for the line and I wouldn’t really see myself returning to this one.

Aaron Loomis

SCORE

5.55

Cost/Point

$3.15

Scoring System

Personal Cigar Review: J.C. Newman The American Double Robusto