Cigar Info
In April of this year Protocol Cigars released a new size in their Sir Robert Peel line, a Corona Gorda. The new size measures 5 5/8 x 46 and includes both Maduro and Natural blends. The only difference besides the size is that this cigar is round while the rest of the line is box-press. Today we are looking at the Protocol Sir Robert Peel Maduro Corona Gorda.
This cigar was reviewed blind (no bands) by a panel of at least 4 reviewers. They did not know what they were smoking beforehand. The scores are an average of all the reviewers' scores with outliers removed. All of our cigars reviewed are shipped to the panelists with Boveda packs to ensure optimal smoking experience.
Sir Robert Peel Corona Maduro Gorda costs $11.50 per cigar and $115.00 per box of 10 cigars. They are rolled at La Zona in Esteli Nicaragua under the supervision of Hector Alfonso Sr. Sir Robert Peel is considered the father of modern day policing. Cubariqueño Cigar Co and its owners are police officers and this fits with the company’s police theme.
Vital Stats:
Vitola: Corona Gorda
Length: 5 5/8″
Ring Gauge: 46
Country of Origin: Nicaragua
Wrapper: Pennsylvania Broadleaf
Binder: Nicaragua
Filler: Nicaragua
Factory: La Zona
Blender: Juan Cancel, Hector Alfonso Sr.
Number of reviewers: 5 – Chad M. (Chad Tchad) Lauren S. (Lauren S.) Joseph S. (Bearded Bastard) Diana (ArmyRN) Randy B. (randobush)
Price: $11.50
Age: 3 Months
Release Date: April 2021
Contributed by: Protocol Cigars
Initial Impressions – Protocol Sir Robert Peel Maduro Corona Gorda
Appearance: 90
“Very Dark wrapper with mild amount of veins. The wrapper is very toothy wrapper with not much oil. Some mild imperfection noted in the wrapper” –Chad M. (Chad Tchad)
Aroma: 93
“Sweet hay with a hint of leather were noted at the foot of the cigar. Once cut and a dry draw completed, I was pleased by the sweet note of hay mixed in with some dark molasses. I’m anxious to get smoking!” –Diana (ArmyRN)
First Third
Flavor: 90
Strength: Medium-Strong
Body/Complexity: Medium
“I immediately tasted a rich leather with a very long finish that mixed with just a pinch of dark roast coffee. The retro provided a little spice as if I had taken and mixed red, black and white pepper. Not overpowering but just a nice pepper background. About 1 inch into the smoke the spice and pepper laid back and a nice dark coffee has come forward. The leather remains as it ebbs in and out of prominence.” –Diana (ArmyRN)
“Pre-draw was mostly a leather flavor. After lighting it got a lot of fresh roast espresso beans with the tip of the tongue picking up some sweetness of green garden vegetables. On the retro-hale got pure fresh black coffee with some lite earthiness.” –Chad M. (Chad Tchad)
Second Third
Flavor: 87
Strength: Medium-Strong
Body/Complexity: Medium
“Sweet cayenne, cedar & pine, baking spice and a tad improved smoother retro keeping me interested. No further burn issues to report.” –Randy B. (randobush)
“As I entered the second third there was more of a leather and earthy presence that gave the cigar a meaty taste. The dark roast coffee mixed in with some smokey notes that balanced well with a hint of dark cocoa that provided a nice hint of sweetness. The cigar is definitely getting more earthy. There is not a lot of change as the second third progresses the but blending of flavors makes for a pleasant experience.” –Diana (ArmyRN)
Final Third
Flavor: 89
Strength: Medium-Strong
Body/Complexity: Medium
“Once again no real transition of flavors. The cigar has stay with roasted coffee flavor with now some more leather coming through. The sweetness has left. Very consistent flavor through the whole smoke.” –Chad M. (Chad Tchad)
“The cigar has settled down considerably at this point. There is mostly a camp fire with leather in the background along with dark roast coffee. The strength has picked up a bit. The previous meatiness that I tasted has resurfaced toward the end of this cigar and there is a mild salty finish as the smoking experience concludes.” –Diana (ArmyRN)
Overall Impressions – Protocol Sir Robert Peel Maduro Corona Gorda
Draw: 86
“Perfect amount of resistance. Mouthfuls of delicious smoke every draw.” –Randy B. (randobush)
Burn: 87
“Although the draw was very good with the cigar, the burn was somewhat off at times. I wound up having to touch up the cigar one time in the first third and two times in the last third. I like razor sharp edges but understand that not all cigars will provide that. However, some wavy edges don’t deter me as long as the cigar stays even. The touch ups with this stick were due to an uneven burn. Otherwise the cigar performed well.” –Diana (ArmyRN)
Construction: 91
“Not the most attractive outer construction it did stay intact the entire smoke. The draw was much tighter than I prefer but I do not think it was a construction issue and instead a purposefully choice.” –Lauren S. (Lauren S.)
Overall Strength: Medium-Strong
Overall Body/Complexity: Medium
Experience Overall: 89
“The cigar was very consistent through the smoke of espresso to fresh roasted coffee and leather flavor being the main flavors coming through.” –Chad M. (Chad Tchad)
“The first third of the cigar had some nice flavors in my opinion but by the half way point the cigar turned very harsh and bitter on me. Besides a tighter draw than I like there did not seem to be any quality issues with the stick so I’m not sure what went wrong. Perhaps just not a cigar for me.” –Lauren S. (Lauren S.)
“The flavors stayed consistent, with the spice walking a fine line of being harsh. It put off a lot of great smoke, but the burn wasn’t that great. Not bad, not great, just meh.” –Joseph S. (Bearded Bastard)
“This was a decent smoke for me. The cigar had a lot of flavor notes that I like such as leather, coffee and cocoa. The added hickory and campfire were nice also. I sort of wish the initial mix of spice and mixed peppers would’ve stayed on longer, albeit in the background. The cigar became more monotone for me as it progressed but it still remained a tasty smoke and I would definitely revisit it again with a nice espresso or Cuban coffee.” –Diana (ArmyRN)
“Really enjoyed this cigar, and could def smoke again. It’s not mild but a mild leaning palate could enjoy this cigar also. Strength kicks in in the final third. Hang on and enjoy the ride.” –Randy B. (randobush)
Smoking Time (in minutes): 68
| Reviewer | Appear. | Aroma | 1/3 | 2/3 | 3/3 | Draw | Burn | Constr. | Overall Experience |
| Chad M. | 88 | 90 | 90 | 87 | 88 | 85 | 87 | 88 | 90 |
| Lauren S. | 88 | 92 | 88 | 85 | 78 | 85 | 97 | 92 | 83 |
| Joseph S. | 85 | 88 | 85 | 85 | 85 | 85 | 83 | 85 | 85 |
| Diana | 95 | 92 | 90 | 90 | 90 | 90 | 87 | 90 | 90 |
| Randy B. | 95 | 95 | 92 | 92 | 92 | 97 | 90 | 92 | 92 |
To view the complete scores and notes, click here.