CW Review: Bahia Trinidad Robusto
Cigar Weekly reviews are blind taste tests conducted by our readers. Reviewers are sent three samples with all identifying marks removed. Reviewers are chosen randomly from the list of everyone that has signed the Cigar Weekly Guest Book. Their comments are below.
Pre-Smoke Comments
Brett Turley (WV Smokin): These were very nice looking natural wrapped robustos with a slight box press. They appeared to be well made. Firmly rolled with a very pleasant pre smoke aroma. The wrappers did seem to be a bit thin as a few cracks and separations were present.
Chris Johnson (ÞFirefarmer£): Perfect cut, draw and nice aroma.Veiny brown, oily and rustic looking wrapper.Nice boxpress,5 1/4 X 50 robusto size cigar. The pre-light draw was perfect on both samples, not too easy or too hard.
David Dehls (Renaissance Man): Cigar 164 is a well constructed, box pressed Robusto measuring 5.5x52 with a medium textured, slightly veiny Colorado-Claro wrapper. Bunching is firm. The cap is a bit lumpy but clipped without any problem. This cigar burned evenly with a nice solid gray ash. An easy draw produced a nice volume of smoke. The aroma is predominantly tobacco, but remained faint throughout.
Don Kendrick (SmegHead): This cigars had a bit minty smell to it. It had a firm but spongy feel. The wrapper had a smooth leathery feel and had very few veins in it. A natural to tan color boxed press cigar with nice rounded edges. The cap was even and tight and, when cut with my double bladed cutter, the wrapper held tight. My pre draw was easy and had hints mint flavor to it (would this carry through). Over all a great looking cigar.
Gregory S. Desens (Hendrix): Cigar 164 looks like a very-nice Corona Gorda size cigar!The wrappers differ on both samples with one having a Brown Reddish Hue and the other with a pale Connecticut color. Both look very inviting and seem to be very firm from end to end, bordering on hard. Which has me worried about draw problems!
Mike Byelick (discountman-MDMan [2009 ed.]): Nice looking Cigars. Good looking cap. Nice construction.
Smoke Comments
Brett Turley (WV Smokin): Both samples lit easily and burned very evenly with a nice solid ash. The draw on both cigars were close to perfect. I would consider these cigars to be mild in strength. The flavor started out decent for about the first inch, and developed into a rather harsh and grassy taste. This lasted until well over half the cigar was gone, then it actually tasted like the first inch.
Chris Johnson (ÞFirefarmer£): Excellent draw, burn and flavors. Very good tasting and spicy. Not very complex just straight forward earthy and woody tobacco flavors.I'd say it's a Conn.Shade wrapper with Honduran, Nicaraguan and Dominican fillers.
David Dehls (Renaissance Man): Cigar 164 builds from medium to full in body/strength but retains a rather one dimensional, peppery flavor throughout. There is a medium bitterness and saltiness on the slightly dry finish along with a gradually building burn on the tongue and mouth.
Don Kendrick (SmegHead): After toasting the end of the cigar and taking my first draw, my taste buds were hit with hints of sweet wood flavor. But that didn't last too long. It had little to no flavor as I continued to smoke. The cigar left my mouth feeling like a desert with a bitter tin flavor. The 1st 3rd of the cigar burned quite even but the ash kept falling off after every 1/4". Watch you lap on that one. Ash was flakey gray in color, but had a flat crater look after ash fell off. Thats when it started to burn uneven and tunnel. The ash just would not stay on. The rest of the cigar burned that way tell I had to put it out. I just couldn't stand that desert or tin taste any more.
Gregory S. Desens (Hendrix): I was told these were Non-ISOM but sample one had distinct Havana flavors. Started with nice straightforward tobbacco taste then turned into a pepper explosion! The cigar seemed young as there was heavy burn in my throat! This cigar wanted to kick my ass!!! It changed direction towards the end and mellowed out with a creamy, herbal taste! I was liking this cigar! Young or not! The second sample was completeley different as it reminded me of a ERDM Robusto Larga in flavor profile with a toasty sweetness and a general nutty flavor. This one was not young at all and they seemed like two different cigars all together! The draw and construction on both were flawless with a few corrections made, but nothing to hinder the enjoyment!
Mike Byelick (discountman-MDMan [ed.]): Started out spicy, but mellowed right away. a little creamyness. overall light flavor. Hits of leather
Summary Comments
Brett Turley (WV Smokin): Overall I think these were pretty good cigars. I didn't care much for the taste of the cigars, but others may find it enjoyable. Other than what I considered a pretty thin wrapper, they seemed to be very well made. If the price was low enough I would be willing to try these again.
Chris Johnson (ÞFirefarmer£): Very enjoyable cigar, has everything you want in a Great smoke!! Loads of smoke and flavor with a perfect burn. I'll go out on the limb and say these were Honduran Sancho Panza Valientes'. If not they are dead ringers for them, LOL!!! Thanks again DanB for this experience and keep up the Great work on the Greatest Cigar site on the net!!!
David Dehls (Renaissance Man): I wish I could get more excited about this cigar. It's almost like Cigar 164 was made to be a really powerful, full bodied smoke. But it trades flavor and finesse for raw, one dimensional strength. I didn't find it disagreeable, just average and uninvolving. The appearance, construction and burn promised a more fulfilling smoking experience than the cigar delivered. Perhaps further ageing will help round the flavors and body out.
Don Kendrick (SmegHead): This cigar had great volumes of smoke but did nothing for me. I thought it was just one cigar but both cigars would not hold an ash. What a mess in my lap when I finished. I couldn't even get the cigar to the ash tray before the ash dropped. Both cigars went out 1/2 way down. After relighting them, they would burn for a few puffs and go out. The flavor of the cigar didn't chage much towards the end. Thats when I gave up. Looks were not everything for this cigar IMHO. If I had one given to me I would probley give it to someone that like's a drier cigar.
Gregory S. Desens (Hendrix): In General I loved this cigar!This was like the Jeckyll and Hyde of cigars were as both did not taste alike!This was great doing this review because I did not know what to expect next!They were inconsistent in flavor profiles but yet both were satisfying and well made.I would recommend this cigar without a doubt.But I cannot figure out what cigar this is and what country its from?I am dying to find out! Thanks for the great time reviewing this Dan! Now what is it?
Mike Byelick (discountman-MDMan [ed.]): This was a good cigarin my opinion. light or mild flavor. a litte one dimentional. I give it 3.75 butts out of 5!
Scores
| Reviewer | ||||||||
| Brett Turley | 4.0 | 4.0 | 5.0 | 4.0 | 5.0 | 4.0 | 6.0 | 32.0 |
| Chris Johnson | 5.0 | 5.0 | 5.0 | 5.0 | 9.0 | 9.0 | 9.0 | 47.0 |
| David Dehls | 4.0 | 4.0 | 4.0 | 2.0 | 4.0 | 3.0 | 4.0 | 25.0 |
| Don Kendrick | 3.5 | 2.0 | 3.5 | 2.0 | 3.0 | 1.5 | 3.2 | 18.7 |
| Gregory S. Desens | 4.0 | 4.0 | 4.0 | 3.0 | 9.0 | 9.0 | 8.0 | 41.0 |
| Mike Byelick | 4.0 | 5.0 | 5.0 | 3.0 | 5.0 | 5.0 | 5.0 | 32.0 |
| Averages | 4.1 | 4.0 | 4.4 | 3.2 | 5.8 | 5.3 | 5.9 | 32.5 |
| For more information see the link below for Review Methods. | ||||||||
Review Results
Final Score: 32.5 out of 50
3 1/2 Stars -- Above Average
By the time you read this review, it's possible that stores will be selling the new Trinidad, which will be rolled in Nicaragua, instead of Costa Rica, where the cigars for this review were manufactured. It's unclear if the move will be accompanied by a blend change for this line, making it difficult to know if the cigars you purchase today will in anyway resemble the cigars smoked for this review.
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