Pre-light Experience

The Stallone Cowboy Series Zaino Broadleaf Robusto has three bands and a cedar sleeve. The primary band is the same as the other cigars in the series and denotes the brand and the owner/blender. The secondary band denotes the line. The third is a silver ribbon at the foot that sits atop the cedar sleeve that runs up a quarter inch short of the secondary band. After sliding off the sleeve and ribbon, I get a better look at the dark brown wrapper that has a thick but well pressed vein running down the back. The seams are very smooth and the caps are well applied. The aroma from the wrapper is a mix of wood and dark earth while the foot brings musty cedar, earth and mild spice. The pre-light draw brings musty cedar and oddly, the taste of paint.

First Third

The cigar begins with wood, dark earth and black pepper. At a half inch in, hints of cocoa powder are present on random draws. The retrohale is an even mix of wood, earth and black pepper. At an inch and a quarter, the earth is in front and is a bit dry while the wood is right behind and the black pepper is a bit behind that. There are still hints of cocoa powder on random draws. The strength in this third was right at medium.

Second Third

The second third continues with the dark, dry earth up front, but now the wood and black pepper are even just behind. The retrohale has an even mix of dark earth and wood with the black pepper slightly behind. As the third comes to a close, the dark, dry earth remains up front with the wood right behind and the black pepper in the background. The strength in this third bumped up to slightly above medium.

Final Third

The profile continues on from the second third. At three quarters of an inch in, the dark, dry earth now has a bigger lead over the wood. The retrohale maintains an even mix of dark earth and wood with the black pepper slightly behind. The cigar wraps up with the dark, dry wood up front, wood in the middle and black pepper in the background. The strength in this third remained at slightly above medium.

Burn

The burn was straight throughout. The big issue was that the cigar went out three times, requiring re-lights.

Draw

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

Overall

The cigar started out well, with a nice balance of wood, dark earth and black pepper. Once it got to the second third, the earth became a bit dry and was leading the profile and maintained that through the remainder of the cigar. The burn was a bit of an issue with the three re-lights. If you’re a fan of darker profiles with a bit of strength, the Stallone Cowboy Series Zaino Broadleaf Robusto might be right up your alley. For me, it was a bit too dry and linear from the second third on. I wouldn’t see myself returning to this cigar all that often.

Aaron Loomis

SCORE

5.80

Cost/Point

$1.54

Scoring System

Personal Cigar Review: Stallone Cowboy Series Zaino Broadleaf Robusto