Blind Cigar Review: Garofalo | Robusto

Vital Stats:

Vitola: Robusto
Length: 5″
Ring Gauge: 50
Country of Origin: Nicaragua
Wrapper: Ecuadorian Connecticut
Binder: Nicaragua
Filler: Nicaragua
Factory: Perdomo
Blender: Nick Perdomo
Number of reviewers: 5—–Jiunn (jliu) Jack (Jack_H) Robert (NavyPiper) Dave (mdwest) Sandeep (Djangos)
Price: $6.79
Age: 2 Months
Release Date: Undisclosed
Contributed by: United Cigar Group

Initial Impressions

Appearance: 92

“Great looking robusto sized cigar with a light brown wrapper. The surface is mostly smooth with some bumps. The veins are not very prominent. The surface of the wrapper does not have any apparent blemishes. The cigar is firm to the feel the entire length with no soft spots.” –Sandeep (Djangos)

Aroma: 90

“The pre-light aroma on both the foot and cap is full of bread notes mixed with a little bit of oak.” –Dave (mdwest)

First Third

Flavor: 89
Strength: Medium
Body/Complexity: Medium

“I get a really pleasant walnut flavor to begin with. The smoke is really enjoyable and easily approachable. I picture myself smoking this on an easy Sunday afternoon with some sweet tea. This cigar has great construction up to this point.” –Jack (Jack_H)

“The initial third starts off with some pepper that increases in intensity over the next half inch and then begins to dissipate. The major flavors at this point are earth and leather. There is pepper present in each puff as well. Not too complex in the initial third, but nonetheless enjoyable. The burn and draw are very good the entire initial third. There is production of a large amount of gray creamy smoke. Also, the mottled ash is flaky and holds for less than an inch before falling off.” –Sandeep (Djangos)

Second Third

Flavor: 88
Strength: Medium
Body/Complexity: Medium

“In the second third, the flavors were the same but became more evenly balanced. This was the only real change in this third, and turned out later to be the best third of the stogie.” –Robert (NavyPiper)

“Thankfully, by the mid point of the stick, the ashy aftertaste that I was getting during the first third has pretty much gone away and I’m left with mostly wood and floral notes. A serious improvement.” –Dave (mdwest)

Final Third

Flavor: 90
Strength: Medium
Body/Complexity: Medium

“Last third’s core flavors stay consistent with the second third. Flavors of upfront hay, white peper, leather, cedar and now a more pronounced sweet cream. At certain times, the finish is of a slight bread note. Body stays at a medium and strength tapers back to a solid medium.” –Jiunn (jliu)

“The final third continues with the almond nuttiness and cedar. After about a half inch, the leather becomes more prominent along with the reappearance of the earthy flavors that is cutting the sweetness. In the last inch or so, the pepper gains in strength again and increases in intensity until the very end of the cigar. No issues with the burn or draw the entire length. Overall, an enjoyable morsel.” –Sandeep (Djangos)

Overall Impressions

Draw: 94

“The draw was not too noticeable, in that it was never loose or tight. In this constancy, was something to really fall in love with.” –Jack (Jack_H)

Burn: 92

“Burn was really good, nice and straight the whole time with nary a waver.” –Robert (NavyPiper)

Construction: 92

“Good construction. Given a perfect draw, but with a re-light, construction was good. Important to note that the re-light did not alter the flavors of the cigar (after a good purge procedure).” –Jiunn (jliu)

Overall Strength: Medium
Overall Body/Complexity: Medium
Overall Experience: 90

“Overall, this was a good cigar. I’m not a fan of dominate hay in a cigar. Therefore, the first two thirds were just “good.” The redeeming part was the last third. The flavors ramped up and tasted more pronounced. I would put one or two of these in my rotation.” –Jiunn (jliu)

“I am having a hard time imagining this cigar being under ten dollars, but if that were true, I would buy them up in an instant. There is something to be said for consistancy and this is an example of a cigar that has it in flavor, but most definitely in construction.” –Jack (Jack_H)

“Overall, it was OK. A few changes in flavor, strength and dominance, but that was about it. I’m not real fond of Connecticut wrappers, so probably wouldn’t go out of my way to look for some, but if one was available, sure I’d fire it up.” –Robert (NavyPiper)

“While things started off a bit rocky, the stick began improving fairly quickly, and by the mid point, I was having a pretty enjoyable smoke. I’m not sure I would rush out to buy a box of these any time soon, but I would gladly revisit again in the future.” –Dave (mdwest)

“Overall, a very enjoyable cigar with good complexity in the middle and final thirds. Predominant flavors of earth, nuttiness and cedar made this amazing. I will definitely try this one again.” –Sandeep (Djangos)
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Smoking Time (in minutes): 69

Edit

Reviewer	Appearance	Aroma	1/3	2/3	3/3	Draw	Burn	Constr.	Overall
Jiunn	90	90	88	88	90	100	85	88	88
Jack	95	90	92	90	90	95	97	100	95
Robert	88	88	88	88	88	90	90	88	88
Dave	90	88	85	88	88	88	88	88	88
Sandeep	95	92	92	92	92	97	97	95	92

To view the complete scores and notes, click here.

Blind Cigar Review: Garofalo | Robusto