Finally, the first post

I am, if you will, a virgin blogger, so here goes. We all smoke cigars for different reasons. For me cigars are a chance to slow down the world around me, to stop and enjoy. So it is always nice to get the added bonus of a good cigar. For instance:

Cabaiguan Robustos Extra
From the Tatuaje line, so of course by Don "Pepin" Garcia for Pete Johnson

Length: 5.25"

Ring Gauge: 50

Wrapper: Ecuadorian Shade Grown

Binder: Nicaragua

Filler: Nicaragua

I received this cigar for free from work, Remond Fine Wine and Cigars, because a customer returned it due to damage at the foot. Of course I couldn't let such a fine stick go to waste, so Sunday night my wife and I sat on our tiny porch shared and some Moscato D'Asti while I enjoyed this great cigar.

The Robustos Extra has a beautiful, silky Ecuadorian Shade wrapper, with one or two slight veins running through it. The pre-light aroma was that of cedar and dried fruit. Being a Garcia product, it had a triple cap, signature of his cigars. This particular stick was a little tightly rolled, and slightly hard construction, which made cutting more difficult than it needed to be.

Even with the damaged foot, the intial light and burn was even. In the first few minutes the damage had completely burned away, without affecting the rest of the stick. As you can see in the picture, the ash burned to spotty gray color, yet burned at a perfect rate.

On the first draw there are definite cedar, leather, and dried fruit, like raisin note on the palate as well as the signature spice/pepper prevalent in most if not all of Garcia's creations, but especially the Tatuaje line. At 50% the burn rate still holds up while the cigar is even all around. The taste mellows, the sweetness of the dried fruit is still present, the spice diminishes and the cedar/woody notes are replaced with more of a nutty, almost sunflower seed flavor. All the while this cigar produces a rich full smoke with a sweet smell.

At 75% the cigar is still burning evenly and at a perfect rate. The finish is that of raisin and leather. On a side note, the Moscato D'asti that I was drinking along with the cigar balanced the spice, and complimented the sweetness in this stick quite nicely.

Overall I give this cigar a rating of 89. I would definitely purchase this stick, as with all the Pete Johnson cigars, you can expect a smoke that won't disappoint.