Cuban Robusto Selection

“Robusto” is the name for all cigars of approximately 124mm x Ring 50. In the Premier issue of Cigar Aficionado (Autumn 1992) the “Robusto” size was selected for the first tasting – in a fine article they described the size as the “perfect power lunch smoke”. 
This size is still (2016) one of the most desirable in any brand in which it is made – Cuban and non-Cuban.
Relatively new is the size “Petit Robusto” an extra thick half corona (102mm x Ring 50), popularised under the generic name “Nub”.  More in Wesley’s Website article No.364.
But you can’t just cut 22mm off the Robusto size cigar – the flavour doesn’t have time to develop. A new richer blend has to be created.

Here is the Hoyo de Monterrey Epicure No.2 – the original Robusto in South Africa.
Then try the Romeo y Julieta Short Churchill (classic Robusto) and the Romeo y Julieta Petit Churchill (Petit Robusto).

Colin Wesley

Hoyo de Monterey Epicure No.2 (Robusto, 124mm x Ring 50)
Established in 1867 the flavour of this blend makes it an attractive choice for those who seek a delicate yet aromatic Cuban cigar that is lighter to the taste. In South Africa, since before the 1970’s, the Epicure No.2 has been revered as the ultimate smoke. If you wanted a good cigar you were told by those in the know to buy an “epicurenumbertwo”. I don’t think that the brand name Hoyo de Monterrey was even considered in this context. And when Blue Mould seriously struck Cuba, drastically curtailing supplies, there was near panic in the boardrooms, professional offices and homes of their devotees.
In fact its popularity was created purely by the dimensions of the cigar, the Robusto.

Romeo y Julieta
This is probably the best known Havana brand. The balanced and aromatic blend make it the classic medium-bodied Cuban cigar. Named after William Shakespeare’s tragic lovers, the origins of Romeo y Julieta as a Habano date back to 1875.
The brand rose to international fame during the early years of the 20th Century under the direction of Don "Pepin" Fernandez, a talented promoter, who was amongst the first to recognise the power of the cigar band. During his heyday no less than 20,000 different bands were used in production.

Romeo y Julieta Short Churchill (Robusto, 124mm x Ring 50)
A classic Robusto – a comparatively new arrival to the range of Robusto size cigars. Compare the taste with that of the Epicure No.2: a little more body??

How to taste a cigar? See article #386 on Wesley’s website from 4 August 2016.

Romeo y Julieta Petit Churchill (Petit Robusto, 102mm x Ring 50)
Has the blender succeeded in creating a satisfying amount of flavour in this shorter length? Does the flavour have time to develop sufficiently?
You judge.