Cigar Geeks - Bodega Reunion Apertivo Double Robusto

Cigar Geeks Geek Critique

Bodega Reunion Apertivo Double Robusto
Written by Cigar Geeks Member: Mike (akira)

92
Cigar Geeks Rating

Welcome to another Member sponsored Geek Critique. Up for review this time is the http://www.cigargeeks.com/cigardb/default.asp?action=showcig&cigar_id=88390&t=Bodega_Reunion_Apertivo_Double_Robusto">Bodega Reunion Apertivo Double Robusto. Here's a quick summary of the stick:
The Reunión Aperitivo from Bodega Cigars sports a Nicaraguan Habano wrapper from Jalapa to go with Nicaraguan binder and filler tobaccos. Blended to be an "Apéritif" or "before meal" cigar, the Aperitivo offers up floral flavors to go with notes of black pepper, earth and hay. The Jalapa Habano wrapper provides some sweetness and balance to the profile. The Reunión Aperitivo is not your typical Nicaraguan cigar. It gives you tons of flavor and complexity without nuking your palate.
This cigar has been generously sponsored by our member Michael (stogiedad). Thanks very much for your generosity.

Bodega Reunion Apertivo Double Robusto

Brand:: Bodega
Name:: Reunion Apertivo Double Robusto
Length:: 5
Ring Gauge:: 54
Country of Origin:: Nicaragua
Filler:: Nicaragua
Binder:: Nicaragua
Wrapper:: Nicaragua
Color:: Colorado
Strength:: Medium
Shape:: Robusto Gordo
Average Member Rating:: (2 Review(s))

This cigar was enjoyed with Water

Pre-Light: 19 Points of 10 Possible

Prelight these cigars are both great looking with a fairly smooth wrapper. The Aperitivo has a much more oily sheen than the Digestivo. The Aperitivo was slightly lumpy which became even more apparent when the bands were removed. The Digestivo had slightly thicker veins with a drier appearance. The color of the two cigars were a medium brown and dark brown for the Digestivo. Both cut extremely easily with my xikar V cutter, but the Aperitivo cut a little more shallow as it hit a more dense portion of the bunching when it went through. Both were heavy in hand and felt extremely well packed. The aroma on the Aperitivo was sweet cocoa and the Digestivo had a chocolate and berry prelight aroma.

Lighting and Burn: 13 Points of 15 Possible

Lighting each cigar was easy and the burn was slightly angled on the Aperitivo throughout the burn, while the Digestivo was wavy and the ash was much more flaky. The Aperitivo had a fairly consistent dark grey ash that held on for inches at a time while the Digestivo had bright white spots mixed with dark gray areas. The smoke volume and burn rates on both were comparable as both lasted just over an hour and a half and produced tons of smoke with each puff.

Construction: 28 Points of 30 Possible

The construction on these cigars were perfect aside from the flaky ash on the Digestivo. The wrappers were both applied tightly against the filler. The caps were also both neatly and securely fastened to the cigars. Neither cigar had any issues as I smoked them down to the nub.

Flavor and Aroma: 32 Points of 45 Possible

The flavor and aromas were superb on both for what the makers were attempting. The Aperitivo had a sweet chocolate on the initial prelight draw while the Digestivo had a less sweet and more woodsy flavor on the prelight draw. Upon lighting, the Aperitivo had a nice mild flavor of barnyard and earth while the Digestivo had more of a nuttiness in the initial third. Moving into the second half of the cigars, the Aperitivo began to pick up strength to the low end of a medium bodied cigar with a bit of spice starting to hit my tongue. As I got into the second half of the Digestivo, the flavors were more bold with a good earthiness and the little bit of sweetness I tasted dissipated. It also developed a slight bitterness that I actually enjoyed in this cigar. In the final third of the Aperitivo, the flavors and aroma were definitely a medium bodied boldness with more of the barnyard scent and a hint of sweetness. The Digestivo at this point was extremely bold and had a pleasant oak aroma and flavor.

Summary

In my opinion, these cigars had a great flavor profile which seemed to really fit what the makers were trying to accomplish with a predinner and post dinner cigar. It is an interesting concept and I think I might have to try this again with a full meal between the cigars to truly appreciate it. While the flavors were a little more mellow in the Aperitivo than I would normally go for, I think it works well as the pre-meal cigar.