Santa Damiana Robusto Cigar - Pack of 3

Santa Damiana Robusto Light brown leaf. Very nice construction. Smooth surface with a subtle oily shine. Aromas of wood. Nutmeg floral Draw is very easy. More on the looser side. Medium body. Average smoke output at first. Taste is somewhat spicy with the general Woody undertones. Leaves a light creamy after taste. After first third... seems to have gone slightly stronger with the wood and cedar textures but nothing too dramatic. Ash is nice and steady, around two inches. Seems to be holding on nice and firm. Smoke is voluminous now with a creamy off yellow texture. Considering its price and performance, I'd say it was worth the try. I did enjoy it but I enjoy other brands a lot more. That being said.. I wouldn't mind these as a day time smoke. I look forward to the SD torpedo next.

Purchased a few of these as an alternative to my Cuban collection and whilst a reasonable cigar, for me it lacked a certain finesse. They had been happily sitting in the humidor for about a month so though about time to sample. Whilst the draw was fine, even loosening into the second third so a fine quantity of smoke produced, I found it less refined than its Cuban cousins, with no detectable transition throughout the smoke. Not in itself a sign of anything significant but just didn't have the character I was expecting from this brand. The ash held reasonably well and construction had no real faults, perhaps just a little loose but only during the smoke and not by the touch test at the band. There are cigars that you would be happy to share and others, my Monty 2's for example that I'd go down fighting before I parted with them; this Robustos I'd happily share since it is not something I'd miss greatly having parted with it, though a good smock for what it is. The price point is pretty much spot on. I prefer the larger gauge cigars but followed this one up a few hours later with a Monty Open which was only a 43 but it was far superior in complexity, construction and sheer pleasure. So, a reasonable 30-40 min smoke, but not one I'll be replacing when my other four are gone.