Canimao Robusto Extra – Blind Cigar Review

Cigar Info

Canimao Cigars are a small company made out of a small factory in Miami. Little description is available about the cigar besides that it has an Ecuadorian wrapper, Ecuadorian Sumatra binder, and fillers from Dominican Republic and Nicaragua. The owner of the company is Mel Gonzalez and together with his Master Blender Vincente Garcia they have come up with a total of 12 different cigars described on their website. For this review, we were sent the Canimao Robusto Extra which measure 6 1/8″ x 52 in a toro shape with a pig tail.

The name of the company comes from a legend about an Indian warrior named Canimao that fell in love with a beautiful Indian woman named Cibayara, the Cacique Baguanao's daughter. Cibayara one day awoke sick and was unable to get out of her hammock having a burning fever and delirium. After three days, Cacique Baguanao sent Canimao to find Macaori, a folk healer who lived on the banks of the Jibacabuya River, to cure Cibayara. When Canimao arrived at Macaori's hut, the healer told him that Cibayara would be healed and would become his wife and give him a son, but at a price. The “Bat God” demanded that Canimao give his life for the health of Cibayara. He agreed and Macaori then healed Cibayara. Shortly, Canimao and Cibayara were married and, three months later, Cibayara became pregnant. One day not long after, Canimao left his hut without saying goodbye, took his canoe, and rowed to the center of the Jibacabuya River. He cut open his own chest with a dagger and fell into the river. Months later, Cibayara bore their child. The two of would regularly take offerings together to the Jibacabuya River, which later became known as the Canimao river.

Vital Stats:

Vitola: Toro
Length: 6 1/8″
Ring Gauge: 52
Country of Origin: USA
Wrapper: Ecuador
Binder: Ecuadorian Sumatra
Filler: Dominican Republic & Nicaragua
Factory: Canimao Cigars
Blender: Mel Gonzalez and Vincente Garcia
Number of reviewers: 4 – Chad M. (Chad Tchad) Lauren S. (Lauren S.) Randy B. (randobush) Diana (ArmyRN)
Price: $3.25
Age: 4 Months
Release Date: 2011
Contributed by: Canimao Cigars

Initial Impressions – Canimao Robusto Extra

Appearance: 93

“Dark brown color wrapper. The wrapper is toothy and many veins course down it. The Cap is weird sort of a pseudo pigtail thing going on; not really sure what that is.” –Chad M. (Chad Tchad)

Aroma: 86

“There was a hint of ammonia at the first smell but in the background, I caught a mix of barnyard. On the dry draw, I noticed some sweet hay and a hint of coffee. The ammonia seemed only to be in the nares while the dry draw did not give any pungent or unpleasant notes.” –Diana (ArmyRN)

First Third

Flavor: 87
Strength: Medium
Body/Complexity: Medium

“Pleasing from initial light up. Nice medium body with some nice complexity and a bit of strength detected in the first third. Retrohale is very welcoming, and unoffensive. Milk chocolate cocoa powder, baking spices, cedar, coffee, dried raisin, and a wee bit of cinnamon.” –Randy B. (randobush)

“On the cold draw not many flavors came through just some slight black pepper on the tongue was all. After lighting the cigar got a heavy toffee flavor with a think mouthfeel to the smoke. There are also notes of cloves and wood oak notes in this smoke. On the Retrohale there is a creamy toffee flavor with slight black pepper notes. The after taste does have some slight bitterness to the smoke.” –Chad M. (Chad Tchad)

Second Third

Flavor: 86
Strength: Medium
Body/Complexity: Medium

“There was no significant progression in flavor notes but the cigar remained pleasant and the mix of cedar, coffee, and a hint of pepper was comfortable and enjoyable. Toward the end of the second third, the cedar picked up and was the predominant note and remained on the finish.” –Diana (ArmyRN)

“There still isn't a lot going on in this blend for me. There is earth and nuttiness along with a slightly bitter aftertaste. ” –Lauren S. (Lauren S.)

Final Third

Flavor: 88
Strength: Medium-Strong
Body/Complexity: Medium

“Performance and flavors diminished rapidly in final third, then flavor came back with a vengeance. Strength is solid, meaning my bald spot is sweating and I may need a spoonful of honey. Black coffee, cayenne pepper, cedar, give a longgggg finish in between puffs. Retro remains tolerable to pleasant, with only a bit of zing to it.” –Randy B. (randobush)”

“The power of the cigar picked up in the last third. Again, the flavor notes never really progressed but were consistent. The cedar remained the focal point with the coffee mixed in and the white pepper very hidden in the background. ” –Diana (ArmyRN)

Overall Impressions – Canimao Robusto Extra

Draw: 92

“The draw for this cigar was good with no issues. It was right in the sweet spot for me.” –Chad M. (Chad Tchad)

Burn: 88

“I did not have to touch up the cigar during the entire smoke. The ash was a medium gray with some specks of black mixed in. It held nicely and I tapped it rather than have it fall but that was a good inch in each time. The cigar produced sufficient smoke and coated the palette nicely.” –Diana (ArmyRN)

Construction: 88

“Overall it held a good ash and never cracked or swelled. The fill seemed slightly off though due to the lack of smoke production.” –Lauren S. (Lauren S.)

Overall Strength: Medium-Strong
Overall Body/Complexity: Medium
Experience Overall: 88

“The Cigar started off well there was a slight bitterness that took a while; but had a lot of flavors that made up for it. As the smoking experience continued the flavors faded and the bitterness took over more and got to a point retrohale was very hard and unpleasant and had to stop doing that at the end.” –Chad M. (Chad Tchad)

“A very one-note blend for me with no complexity at all. Earthy flavors with hints of nuttiness from start to finish. A slightly bitter aftertaste took a bit away from the experience for me. ” –Lauren S. (Lauren S.)

“This was a very flavor-filled and strength-filled cigar. My head was sweating in 50° weather. Although I enjoyed this cigar, and its long finish, it's not really in my wheelhouse. I could easily recommend to those who like full-body, full strength.” –Randy B. (randobush)

“This smoke was good but a bit mundane for my palette. I could actually smoke this in the morning with my coffee and it would be enjoyable. I would have loved it if the other flavor notes had resurged and the cedar toned down a bit. But overall this was a consistent and well-constructed cigar. ” –Diana (ArmyRN)

Smoking Time (in minutes): 79

To view the complete scores and notes, click here.

Canimao Robusto Extra – Blind Cigar Review