Pre-light Experience

The wrapper is medium brown and has a network of veins that carry a slightly darker color and has a spider web type effect. The seams are very smooth but visible and the head appears to be finished off with a quadruple cap. The band is orangish-red with gold lettering and artwork. The aroma from the wrapper is a nice stone fruit sweetness while the foot gives a mix of stone fruit sweetness, hay and slight white pepper. The pre-light draw is a mix of hay and leather with a decent spicy tingle on my lips.

Pre-light Experience

The Casa Fernandez Condega Corojo Serie S Robusto has a medium, darker caramel shaded wrapper. Bunch and roll feels spot on as there is a uniformed give throughout, no soft spots, tight seams and well pressed veins. Nosing the wrapper gives dry barnyard, cedar and white pepper. Nosing the foot tells rich roasted nuts and sharp white pepper. Cold draw tells hay, white pepper and cedar.

First Third

The cigar begins with a heavy dose of baking spice and dark wood. At a quarter inch in, the wood loses some of the darkness and the baking spice isn’t as potent. At three quarters of an inch in, some cream joins the profile as the wood is now more definable as oak and the baking spice is now in the background. The retrohale is an equal mix of the oak and baking spice. As the third comes to a close, the cream has increased, really smoothing out the profile with the oak while the baking spice remains a supporting note in the background. The strength in this third was slightly above medium.

First Third

The first third shows a sharper profile, with first and foremost a sharp white pepper. The sharp white pepper is accompanied by rich roasted nuttiness and minerals. Retrohaling brings the same sharper white pepper and rich dried nuts. The finish is comprised of a lingering cedar and slick white pepper layering the entire palate. Strength is near medium-full and body at a consistent medium.

Second Third

As the second third begins, the cream is still in front of the oak while the baking spice is very faint. The retrohale is now also a creamy oak. At a half inch in, the cream drops back to be equal with the oak and the baking spice has completely left the profile. At three quarters of an inch, some bitterness joins the oak as the cream is now in the background. As the third comes to a close, the cream has increased to come back even with the oak while there is still some bitterness in the background. The strength in this third remained at slightly above medium.

Second Third

The second third shows the dominant white pepper slightly backing off. This allows for other notes to shine such as the pre-existing rich roasted nuts, minerals and new flavors of toast and baking spices. Retrohale is unchanged, still giving sharp white pepper and rich dry nuts. The finish is a long and lingering cedar and slick white pepper encompassing the entire palate. Strength moves to a consistent medium-full while body stays medium.

Final Third

As the final third begins, the creamy oak and slight bitterness continue on. At a quarter inch in, the cream increases a bit over the oak. At a half inch in, the cigar begins to heat up which brings some mintiness to the creamy oak. At an inch in, the creamy oak is continuing on as the mintiness and bitterness are also part of the profile. This is how the cigar finishes out. The strength in this third remained at slightly above medium.

Final Third

The last third is namely a profile that is white pepper, minerals and baking spices focused. Other notes of roasted nuts and toast are still prevalent, but have become mainly secondary flavors. The spice continues to carry through on the finish, creating a long and mouth watering spice. Strength and body is unchanged at medium-full and medium, respectively.

Burn

I struggled with the burn as it went out multiple times and required re-lights. The burn was wavy most of the way as well. The ash held on in about three quarter of an inch increments.

Burn

The burn was a bit of a let down. Numerous touch-ups were required, burn was wavy the entire time and ashes were flaky. But for the most part, these things did not effect the flavors.

Draw

The draw was slightly tighter than I prefer but didn’t seem to be a detriment.

Overall

The flavor profile was good in the first third but became pretty average from the second third on. I think the multiple re-lights probably had an effect on the flavor profile at that point. Strength was slightly above medium the whole way. I’d definitely like to revisit this cigar hoping for a better burn or at least see what Jiunn’s experience with it was. As it sits now, this was a pretty average cigar, so I couldn’t recommend more than trying one for yourself.

Draw

Perfect draw striking the best balance between air flow and resistance.

Overall

The Casa Fernandez Condega Corojo Serie S Robusto shows a familiar TABSA style being rich in flavors. But the spike in white pepper spice is at times overbearing, and throws off balance and refinement. If you love the typical offerings from Casa Fernandez, this will be a no brainer to pick up. If you also love stronger cigars, this will be for you. As for me, I liked the cigar but am more interested to see what further age will do.

Aaron Loomis

SCORE

5.65

Cost/Point

$1.33

Scoring System

Jiunn Liu

SCORE

6.87

Cost/Point

$1.09

Scoring System

Team Cigar Review: Casa Fernandez Condega Corojo Serie S Robusto