Cigar Geeks - Davidoff Nicaragua Robusto (Tubo)

Cigar Geeks Geek Critique

Davidoff Nicaragua Robusto (Tubo)
Written by Cigar Geeks Member: SenorPablo

91
Cigar Geeks Rating

Inspired by Zino Davidoff's pioneering spirit, Davidoff Master Blenders went on an exploration for a new type of blend that would stimulate both the bitter and sweet taste buds. Finally, they found it in Nicaragua, where the earth is infused by the fiery activity of some of the country's forty volcanoes. The elegant Davidoff Nicaragua is spicy and peppery at the beginning, before evolving into a pleasant smoke with the familiar delight of the dual Davidoff sweet and dark bitter chocolate notes. It is only Nicaraguan Puro they've ever released, and combines a 10-year-aged Habano Seed Nicaraguan Rosado wrapper with a Jalapa binder and filler tobaccos from Nicaragua's best growing regions: Ometepe, Condega, and Estelí.

Davidoff Nicaragua Robusto (Tubo)

Brand:: Davidoff
Name:: Nicaragua Robusto (Tubo)
Length:: 5
Ring Gauge:: 50
Country of Origin:: Dominican Republic
Filler:: Nicaragua
Binder:: Nicaragua
Wrapper:: Nicaragua
Color:: Rosado
Strength:: Medium-Full
Shape:: Robusto
Average Member Purchase Price:: $16.00
Average Member Rating:: (8 Review(s))

This cigar was enjoyed with Buffalo Trace

Pre-Light: 9 Points of 10 Possible

As with most Davidoff's I've had in the past, the construction was excellent. A very clean and consistently brown wrapper with very few spots or pronounced veins. It felt solid/firm, almost like it might be tough to draw on with no detectable soft spots. Cutting was easy and clean leaving the wrapper in tact. A pre-light draw reveals hints of a sweetness and earthiness along with some spiciness of black pepper.

Lighting and Burn: 13 Points of 15 Possible

It lit easily and, thankfully, had an easy draw even given how tight a roll it seemed to have. It kept a nice even burn all the way down. Ash stayed put until I tapped it off. While it produced a decent amount of smoke it seemed a bit on the light side. I would have preferred a bit more.

Construction: 29 Points of 30 Possible

As mentioned in the Pre-Light and Lighting and Burning descriptions, the construction was near flawless. It looked fantastic, burned even without issue, held the ash as it should, and cut with no problem leaving the wrapper in tact. The only issue might have with the construction was a bit too easy of a draw while producing a bit less smoke tan I would normally prefer.

Flavor and Aroma: 40 Points of 45 Possible

The first third seemed to have a mild to medium body. At this stage I detected flavors of nuts, black pepper, hint of a sweetness almost toffee-like flavor likely coming from the rosado wrapper.

By the second third hints of leather shined through with the black pepper more pronounced. Still a more mild-medium body but flavors are complex and enjoyable as has been my typical experience with Davidoff blends.

In the last third, the sweetness turned to a deeper cocoa-like flavor and the spiciness ticked up a fair amount as well. The body has also picked up to be a more likable strong medium. It does seem as though the smoke volume has picked up more as well, which has made it a strong enjoyable finish.

Summary

I don't get to smoke too many Davidoff cigars, but the few I've had have shown great quality. This one was not unlike the previous. The looks, construction, and burn was all top notch which made for great first impressions.

What really stood out for me on this one was the complexity of the flavors and how they developed over time. It started more mild but still showed complexity in its flavor profile and ended an almost entirely different cigar with a fuller body and more bold flavors. This had me smoking it down to the nub. Overall, I enjoyed the ride this cigar took me on and would certainly not turn down another one.