Cigar Geeks - Xhaxhi Bobi El Rabo Del Toro (with Julian Sued)

Cigar Geeks Geek Critique

Xhaxhi Bobi El Rabo Del Toro (with Julian Sued)
Written by Cigar Geeks Member: arrow34

72
Cigar Geeks Rating

Welcome to another Member sponsored Geek Critique generously sponsored by our member Otis. The cigar provided for this round is the Xhaxhi Bobi El Rabo Del Toro (with Julian Sued).

The El Rabo del Toro is a collaboration between Julian Sued & Xaxhi Bobi (owned by Bob de Goede, who used to be a cigar box maker). The name Xhaxhi is Albanian for "uncle," which de Goede was given after working at a mine in Albania.

Xhaxhi Bobi El Rabo Del Toro (with Julian Sued)

Brand:: Xhaxhi Bobi
Name:: El Rabo Del Toro (with Julian Sued)
Length:: 6
Ring Gauge:: 50
Country of Origin:: Dominican Republic
Filler:: Corojo
Dominican Republic
Habano
Binder:: Corojo
Dominican Republic
Wrapper:: Ecuador
Habano
Color:: Colorado Maduro
Strength:: Full
Shape:: Toro
Average Member Purchase Price:: $10.00
Average Member Rating:: (1 Review(s))
Notes:: https://www.smallbatchcigar.com/el-rabo-del-toro-pack-of-5

This cigar was enjoyed with Glenlivet Caribbean Reserve

Pre-Light: 8 Points of 10 Possible

Medium oily, semi veiny, nice double cap, really long tail tucked into the band, haven't seen a tail this long on a long time. Cap comes off clean with a straight cut, wrapper stays intact. Cigar feels firm, slight give. But firmer. It rested for a few weeks in my humidor.

Lighting and Burn: 13 Points of 15 Possible

After a light toast the cigar comes to life with a low to medium amount of smoke. The ash is a pretty solid and grey black. Ash holds on in 2 inch chunks, hasn't gotten me yet. Smoke volume has changed for the better heading into the second third. Burn self corrected and is pretty straight now in the second third. The burn has remained straight for the final third and hasn't required a relight for the entire stick.

Construction: 26 Points of 30 Possible

Draw is a bit tight on light, the draw gets a bit better through the first third, but stays tight for the first third. Smoke production is a bit light. Burn is mostly straight, slight diagonal line developing as I head into the second third. Had to take the band off as it is huge and was getting close to the burn line. It ripped a bit but came off mostly intact. The construction of the cigar is better than some more expensive brands and hadn't required a relight.

Flavor and Aroma: 25 Points of 45 Possible

Medium strength, medium body, taste is a bit earthy, hint of grass, tastes young. This might benefit from some age. But let's see how it develops. The aroma of the smoke doesn't stand out, it is a bit one dimensional.

A bit of a metallic flavor is coming through and lingers on the pallet, bit sharp almost bitter. The standard flavors are there, still a slight bitter cast on my stick in the second third, tobacco, earth, little grass, slight bread note.

Coming into the final stretch, the cigar hasn't changed that much, the metallic flavor has been muted, more earth and standard tobacco flavors. Stays medium body and medium strength. Slight sweetness in the aftertaste but that could be more due to the Glenlivet Caribbean reserve I am drinking.

Summary

I had never had a cigar by this manufacturer and was interested to try this out. I wanted to like this stick, gave it a chance, but the flavors and lack of complexity just didn't do it for me. Thanks to Otis for sponsoring this and allowing me to try this cigar!