Macanudo Robust

Why not? For most people this might be their one and only encounter with a cigar. Easily obtained at virtually any place selling a smokable product and a likely purchase for any number of special events. This cigar is typically viewed as a beginner cigar. Many afficianado's will tell you it's tasteless and has nothing to offer the palette, meanwhile they have a box or empty box laying around. That said - sure it's not the greatest, but it's a start.

My recent Macanudo Robust was quite enjoyable. As far as price goes, i like to spend my dollars on something a bit nicer. To each his own.

Anyway, this was my first cigar and was the only cigar i could find during my recent trip to podunk Oregon until i managed to find a small cigar shop with at least some variety.

Copying from notes i took while smoking here we go:

Firstly, this stick set me back 6 bux.
It is a slight drizzle and around 55 degrees, little humidity - nice for a smoke. ( best smoke in my opinion happens late fall in the crisp cool outdoors )

Cut was tricky since i need a new cutter and the cut was a bit convex instead of a straight slice - no worries though.

I like to cut just enough, not too much - what i mean by this is that i prefer to leave just a bit of curvature from the rounded head end of the cigar and at least cut down to 3/4 the area of the ring guage when cutting a torpedo. In other words i don't like to puff on a cut which looks like the foot end - i like a tapper for whatever reason. Unless the prelight draw is bad i cut as little as possible and in the middle of a smoke if it tightens up, then i still prefer a good pinch or bite to loosen up.

Ok that said - first drag was nutty with sweet overtones.
An easy draw with lots of smoke, good nutty spit flavor with woody tastes too.
Dry but my mouth remains moist for the most part. A bit of acid on the tounge, but could be from the crappy pipe tobacco earlier.
Nice light grey ash with very slight browns. Some sinus burn, nothing crazy.
More of a dark flavor than expected from this smoke - perhaps just excited i found a cigar at all out here in east-bumble land.
Sweet smell is forefront with woody leafy.
Down one inch in fifteen minutes. Pepper spice coming in very sublte plus burnt pepper smell.
Smell of smoke has an offensive tang but also sweet smokey.
Ash holding great horizontal at two inches
Sort of like a stripped down tasteless Oliva O - an Oliva Ultra Light ( forgive me cigar Lords for this comparison )
Also same sweet dryness as a Flor de Oliva maybe.
Having a Coors light with this and flavor is not destroyed on either end - not much flavor too be destroyed however.
Clear and alert buzz - no empty stomach feeling or overpowering nicotene feeling potential.
Ash fell at two and a quarter - very even burn.
Flavor of coffee first puff after ash and flavor kicked up ever so slightly a notch creamy.
I notice that smoke off of stick is light blue with tad violet but white grey almost tan exhaled. (I have noticed this little fact with almost all cigars)
Ash tip formed a cone shape likely due to smoking a bit fast - the inside is buning faster and hot.
I am thinking of a nub habano or cameroon yet i am definately NOT having one - wishful thinking i guess.
Finish is ever so slightly more earthen.
Taking off the band at 45 minutes in and i am rushing since its gotten cooler outside.
Coffee an toffee come in and i realize that slight toffee is the sweetness it has maintained throughout.
Lunch is calling and i will save the nub to light later since it is not smoked as far down as it could go.

Well that's about it - sorta deep for a Mac but i was bored and took notes with nothing else to do but think about the cigar i was having. You know you want a box now don't you?

Good Smokes,
Cigar Dave