Description
Alright you strange animals. Crowder here. For many of you, none of the following matters. You love cigars and you’re going to smoke them regardless. For the rest of you, here’s a breakdown as to why each and every cigar was picked specifically for this 7+1 sampler. If you don’t like these, well then there is no pleasing you.
Master Blend III Robusto
This one is included for two reasons.
- It’s tied for first place on my all time favorite cigars list.
- You’ll hear the term “Connecticut Broadleaf” thrown around cigar circles a lot these days. It’s a big trend. Like IPA’s for beer hipsters. But a lot of them are done poorly. Here we have a Sun Grown wrapper and I believe one of the best showcases of the leaf.
The blending here is also done in a way, where it was the first cigar in which I could pick out distinct flavor notes. When you smoke it… think “snickerdoodle.”
Change my Mind.
Bellas Artes Natural Robusto Extra
Okay, so this cigar is tied for first on my all time list, for a very simple reason. It’s possible the most balanced cigar that comes to mind.
Sweet, spicy, creamy, and with some bite. This one uses a wrapper called “Rojito” which is a hybrid of Connecticut and Corojo, giving you the best of both worlds, and one of the only cigars that I know of which uses it.
It tastes unlike anything else out there.
Murcielago Robusto
Okay so truth be told, If this were just a “Crowder’s personal favorites” package, it would include far more maduros. But that’s not everyone’s thing so I tried to pick a wide spectrum. This one, is simply one of the best of the style from one of my favorite blenders. Dark, strong, and sweet. If you like this one, be sure to check out more of Erik Espinosa’s other Maduro offerings. They are all very good.
Espinosa Laranaja Reserva Corona
If you’d have asked me three years ago, this would have been listed as my favorite of all time and the only reason it fell out was because I couldn’t get my damn hands on any for a while. Still, it jockey’s for top spot depending on the day. Perfectly balanced with a strong graham cracker sweetness and taste baker’s spice on the retrohale, it also has a room note that ladies often find less offensive. So there’s that.
Diesel Whiskey Row Robusto
This one is a bit polarizing to some. Here’s the thing; I like it. I like it a lot. In a similar vein as the Bellas Artes, this is the kind of cigar that can work in any scenario. Sunday coffee? Perfect. After a big meal? You got it. It’s just got a nice balance and it never feels out of place.
Perdomo Habano Bourbon Barrel Aged Connectiut Robusto
Okay this one is a bit of a flyer. I don’t smoke many Connecticuts, HOWEVER, this cigar in the “Habanito” format, a very small petite corona is my 3rd favorite cigar of all time. Perdomo doesn’t make those anymore however (call me, Nick!) and I know that a lot of you would feel ripped off by me including such a small stick. Still, in this full size, this is a conneticut with way more kick and spice than most, but it still presents all of those creamy cedar notes that the style is known for. Construction is always perfect.
Alec Bradley Prensado Robusto
This one was the first ever ‘Cigar of the Year’ that I’d ever had which was worth it. Honduran tobacco is far too often overlooked. The flavor on this cigar makes that impossible.
+1 Obrigado Corona
Let me let you in on a little secret… most “house brand” cigars suck. Full stop. But this one… well this is one where Tim here at CigarsDaily really hit the nail on the head. It’s a great size, and it’s got a great flavor. It tastes like smoking an almond cake. I don’t know how he did it, but he did it well.
It’s a great bonus cigar as a thank you, from a great guy, and a great friend.
Perfect with coffee.
