With this edition of Cigar Sasquatch, I return to the original concept for Tasty Tuesday, which is short reviews of affordable cigar brands in the never-ending quest for a diamond in the rough. It’s a chance for me to work through some singles and miscellaneous cigars in the Sasquatch-a-dor, and to check out some mystery blends that might fly under the radar. Think of it as a herf-tastic grab bag of sorts.
The cigars under evaluation today are the Cuvee 151 Robusto (5×50), the Plasencia Reserva Organica Corona (6¼x44), and the Sancho Panza Caballero (6¼x45).
Cuvee 151 Robusto (5×50):
This is a nice looking robusto with a firm roll, but a small rough spot on the dark Brazilian maduro wrapper. The blend also features Dominican fillers and binder, and shows distinct sweet licorice on the bouquet.
The first flavors are tangy anise to match the bouquet, with some pepper and a roasted oaky roundness. It’s quite smooth despite a hint of spice in the first inch. The draw is nicely open from a cap cut, and produced ample smoke with more than moderate strength. The salt-and-pepper ash holds up to an inch, with nice double cones.
In the second inch, the oaky flavors faded, leaving a strong black pepper taste, and continued rather 1-dimensionally until I set it down. I rate this cigar 7.8.
Plasencia Reserva Organica Corona (6¼x44):
This Nicaraguan puro features 100% certified organically grown tobaccos, aged for 3 years. The dusky brown wrapper is rustic looking and splotchy. This cigar rested 13 months in the Sasquatch-a-dor.
The initial flavors are intense cedar and tangy citrus, and a robust earthy quality, not particularly dark, but bold and textured. The draw is light from a cap cut, and produced a huge volume of smoke with some strength. The flaky white ash is small and poorly formed, and the burn wandered slightly.
Based on the initial flavors, I was hopeful for an excellent smoke, but unfortunately it never delivered. By mid-way the flavors turned to a bitter burnt wood, and I set it down at 3 inches. I rate this 8.1. I want to like this cigar. I just don’t.
Sancho Panza Caballero (6¼x45):
This venerable cigar is the Dominican substitute for the classic Cuban brand, and is currently made by General Cigar in Honduras. It features a mellow blend of Dominican, Honduran, and Nicaraguan fillers with a Connecticut broadleaf binder and a Connecticut shade wrapper.
The roll is firm and box-pressed, and the Connecticut shade wrapper is smooth and veinless. The bouquet shows sweet pipe tobacco, and the initial flavors are woody cedar, and smooth vanilla caramel. There’s a buttery sweetness from the broadleaf wrapper, and some depth from the complex blend. The draw from a cap cut is on the firm side of open, with a nice smoke volume of mild strength. The ash is light gray, and small, though well formed. The burn is straight.
The flavors remain consistent through mid-way, adding a little depth, but never turning dark. Overall, it’s a smooth and enjoyable, though somewhat unremarkable smoke. I rate it 8.6.
Until next time, this is the Cigar Sasquatch saying, “Love what you smoke, and smoke what you love.”
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