Pre-light Experience

The Sancho Panza Extra Chido Robusto came in cellophane and did not have a UPC sticker. The cigar is double banded with a Sancho Panza primary band and a secondary Extra Chido band in silver on white. I weighed the cigar at 14.5 grams and measured the humidity at 64.6% with the HumidiMeter Pro. Aromas from the wrapper included sweet tobacco, raisin and wood. From the foot, I was picking up on pancake batter, vanilla and wood.

First Third

The first third begins with tobacco, wood, medium strength spices and a dusty wood to finish. The wood takes on some dryness through the post draw. Lingering spices also join the post draw as the first third settles in. Mild earth joins as well, a short time later. Creaminess begins to lead off the retrohale as the cigar continues. At roughly the twenty five minute mark, a chocolate is also present on the retrohale, following the creaminess.

Second Third

My initial flavor impressions here are creamy bread, chocolate and wood all through the retrohale. A spice and wood combination defines the post draw right as it starts. As the second third settles in, wood joins the post draw to round it out. Dry wood moves into the center of the profile as the second third continues. Creamy bread moves up to medium strength as the cigar approaches the halfway point, with the chocolate component fading away. Through the bottom half, the profile is a dry wood forward.

Final Third

The last third gets going with a team up of bread and wood, as wood finishes. Medium minus spices make up the retrohale and linger into the finish. A dry, tannic wood is present on the post draw at light plus approaching the halfway point. There are no other flavor changes to remark on for the bottom half.

Burn

The burn was straight through the first third, uneven at times in the second third and relatively straight through the last third.

Draw

The draw initially started out roughly 2-1/2 to 3 notches into the resistant spectrum, but as the first third progressed it opened up to 1-1/2 to 2 notches into the resistant spectrum.

Overall

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. The burn performance was excellent, while the draw was somewhat into the resistant spectrum. This is one of those cigars that falls into an odd space between above average and good. 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. Total smoking time was a value forward 2 hours and 11 minutes.

John McTavish

SCORE

6.32

Cost/Point

$1.39

Scoring System

Personal Cigar Review: Sancho Panza Extra Chido Robusto