VEGAS ROBAINA Petit Robustos Exclusivo Francia (Regional Edition France 2010) Tasting and Review

Length: 10.2 cm
Ring Gauge: 50
Factory Name: Petit Robustos
Vitola: Petit Robusto
Type: Petit Robusto
Presentation: Box of 10 cigars (Only 3,500 Serial Numbered)
Release Date: Planned for 2010 but was available end of 2011
Price: $150

As I was debating on what to smoke for my night cap, I wanted something full bodied yet short with familiar taste to end the day but nothing came to mind. So as I was reaching for the Upmann half corona, I knew this wasn't gonna cut it! Then I remembered I have these firecrackers resting in my humidor and it is exactly what I was looking for.

If you have smoked these before then you will know whats coming...

The Construction - Smooth matte colorado claro wrapper with a couple of tiny veins running through it. This Petit Robusto is not tightly packed but has slight firm resistant body with an almost evenly constructed cap. 

The Draw - Good loose draw with the help of the wide punch. You can pick up the very distinctive earthy scent and a hints of leather.

The First Burn - brings in a taste of raw leather with a peppery finish. A mixture of cloves and nutmeg are dominant with a liquorice candy notes as I let the smoke come out of my nose and mouth. Smoke if silky and light, the ash is dark and grey.

The Middle Burn - cloves continue to be present and gives that tingling sensation in the back of the mouth, taste of antique wood and spicy raw peppercorns that finishes with a somewhat bitter aftertaste once you let the smoke out. Yet, you can still pick up on that ever so lightly sweet liquorice candy notes as well. The smoke continues to be smooth and ash is holding up pretty good.

The Final Burn - welcome back the raw leather along with spicy peppercorns and cloves taste. This smoke continues to leave a bitter aftertaste on the tongue probably from the excitement of flavors coming out. I swear its like eating a jalapeno pepper! As the ash continues to hold on strong, I just had to drop it before I get carried away... those who know me, I would totally keep it till its nubbed! but that's not for tonight.

Although not much character development towards the end except for the intensification of notes I have mentioned which keeps juggling back and forth. pretty straight forward with its characteristics and full body flavor, this Petit Robusto is a beautiful firecracker to be enjoyed by people who love spice! 

The Pairing - to properly balance this heap of spicy notes, Nespresso's Rosabaya de Colombia is the way to do it. With intensity level 6, the Rosabaya complements the Petit Robusto profile with its subtle acidity and winey notes.

Enjoy!

VEGAS ROBAINA Petit Robustos Exclusivo Francia (Regional Edition France 2010) Tasting and Review

Length: 10.2 cm
Ring Gauge: 50
Factory Name: Petit Robustos
Vitola: Petit Robusto
Type: Petit Robusto
Presentation: Box of 10 cigars (Only 3,500 Serial Numbered)
Release Date: Planned for 2010 but was available end of 2011
Price: $150

As I was debating on what to smoke for my night cap, I wanted something full bodied yet short with familiar taste to end the day but nothing came to mind. So as I was reaching for the Upmann half corona, I knew this wasn't gonna cut it! Then I remembered I have these firecrackers resting in my humidor and it is exactly what I was looking for.

If you have smoked these before then you will know whats coming...

The Construction - Smooth matte colorado claro wrapper with a couple of tiny veins running through it. This Petit Robusto is not tightly packed but has slight firm resistant body with an almost evenly constructed cap. 

The Draw - Good loose draw with the help of the wide punch. You can pick up the very distinctive earthy scent and a hints of leather.

The First Burn - brings in a taste of raw leather with a peppery finish. A mixture of cloves and nutmeg are dominant with a liquorice candy notes as I let the smoke come out of my nose and mouth. Smoke if silky and light, the ash is dark and grey.

The Middle Burn - cloves continue to be present and gives that tingling sensation in the back of the mouth, taste of antique wood and spicy raw peppercorns that finishes with a somewhat bitter aftertaste once you let the smoke out. Yet, you can still pick up on that ever so lightly sweet liquorice candy notes as well. The smoke continues to be smooth and ash is holding up pretty good.

The Final Burn - welcome back the raw leather along with spicy peppercorns and cloves taste. This smoke continues to leave a bitter aftertaste on the tongue probably from the excitement of flavors coming out. I swear its like eating a jalapeno pepper! As the ash continues to hold on strong, I just had to drop it before I get carried away... those who know me, I would totally keep it till its nubbed! but that's not for tonight.

Although not much character development towards the end except for the intensification of notes I have mentioned which keeps juggling back and forth. pretty straight forward with its characteristics and full body flavor, this Petit Robusto is a beautiful firecracker to be enjoyed by people who love spice! 

The Pairing - to properly balance this heap of spicy notes, Nespresso's Rosabaya de Colombia is the way to do it. With intensity level 6, the Rosabaya complements the Petit Robusto profile with its subtle acidity and winey notes.

Enjoy!

RAMON ALLONES Sidon Exclusivo Libano (Regional Edition Lebanon 2013) Tasting and Review

Length: 15.3 cm
Ring Gauge: 53
Factory Name: Sidon
Vitola: Sobresalientes
Type: Robusto Extra
Presentation: Box of 25 cigars (Only 4000 Serial Numbered)
Release Date: 2013
Price: $450 - $550

The Habanos importer Phoenicia Trading has once again paid respect to Lebanon's heritage by commemorating the historic city of Sidon (Saida as known today) with its latest release. This major southern Lebanese city has played an important role in the country's history as well as during the ancient Semitic civilization in the region. It was also believed that Jesus Christ has visited Sidon and has many biblical references. Having faced of many conquests, Saida today houses many historical monuments,  landscapes and artifact dating back more than 4000 years. 

The Sea Castle - Courtesy of http://www.ashefaa.com

Habanos S.A note on the release

"The Phoenician city of Sidon was inhabited in 4000 BC where it was an important commercial port during that era. The city was well known for its glass manufacturing & the production of the famous purple dye from murex shells. Sidon surpassed all other Phoenician cities in wealth, commercial initiative & religious significance.

Due to its prominence it was the target for a succession of conquerors. When Alexander the Great tried to invade the city, Sidonians locked their gates & immolated themselves rather than surrendering to the invader.

The temple of Eshmoun, The Sea Castle & Khan El Franj are witnesses on the importance this old city had. the modern city of Sida is the capital of south Lebanon & the 3rd biggest city in the country.

As a tribute to this heritage Phoenicia Trading named its regional edition for the year 2013 after Sidon - a special cigar for a special city."

Sidon Sea port Courtesy of http://www.ashefaa.com

The Sea Castle  today - Courtesy of http://www.ashefaa.com

Eshmoun Temple in Siada Courtesy of http://www.ashefaa.com

Lets take a look at this RA Sidon tribute and see how it smokes...

 A graphic depiction of the Sea Castle in Saida on the outer box of the Ramon Allones Sidon

The Construction - Sidon has a good firm construction with a semi-matte Colorado wrapper with tiny faint veins. The soft shine of the wrapper my give a look of dryness but firmness of the cigar and resistance is just perfect. It is well packed and the robusto extra size offers an appetizing smoke.

The Draw - With a wide punch, the draw had a little resistance to it from the well packed tobacco but not that obscured to not be able to smoke it. Very light notes can be picked up from the draw but nothing worth noting except the deep earthy scent and a woody accent of the Sidon which probably came from the packaging it was in. It is fair to say that this tobacco is fairly young and hasn't developed solid characters yet.

The First Burn - As expected the very first draws offered a light woody notes and a lot of ammonia taste  which is an indicative of a fresh tobacco. Smoke is also very light but has a sweet and leathery taste and you get that zing in the back of the throat from the ammonia as well.

The Middle Burn - Continues to delivers the same woody notes which is very cedar like in taste. The zing still lingers in the mouth with a light peppery spice but not much development til the end of the middle part.

The Final Burn - That ammonia zing still comes through but the concentration of flavors finally showcases the Roman Allones characters towards the end. Light black pepper with hints of cocoa and lots of dry cedary wood are to be savored in this part. It sad that the last inch of the Sidon is quite enjoyable.

Unlike its predecessors, the Sidon does not stand out to be a ready to smoke cigar with fully developed flavors, yet it is a great size cigar with potential of character development with aging. Will definitely need to rest those for a minimum of two years until we can see if there is some favorable character change. Hoping for the best, I know the Ramon Allones Libano (lebanon) Regionals will not disappoint, Just give it some time. 

The Sidon reminded me of when I first smoked the Bolivar Emiratos fresh out. For a sublime size it was not joyful at all to smoke for having such young tobacco, but if you smoke them today, oh my lord they truly stand by their reputation... absolute pleasure and sublime smoke!

The Pairing - With the fairly neutral character of the Sidon, you can either go with a Medium body coffee roast or a light one to balance the zing in your mouth and complement the cedary taste. I preferably would go with the Nespresso Cosi, at intensity level 3, it balances out the ammonia taste and woody notes with its citrusy fresh aroma.

Enjoy!