Di Fazio Picoso Double Robust

Origin : Honduras
Format : Double Robusto
Size : 5 x 60
Wrapper : Honduras
Filler : Honduras
Binder : Honduras
Hand-Made
Price : ~$8-9 each
More info about purchasing Di Fazio cigars...

Thank you to Di Fazio Cigars for providing me with a sampler to try.

Di Fazio cigars are rolled at the Fabrica de Tabacos Raices Cubanas S. de R.L. factory in Honduras, which also makes Illusione and Alec Bradley Tempus cigars. Di Fazio cigars are also available in a Connecticut and a Maduro version.

Appearance :
This was an interesting looking cigar. The wrapper wasn't uniform in color with some parts slightly darker than others. It was mostly a Colorado Maduro shade and looked to be of high quality. It had a rather wrinkled, ugly looking cap and was very firm to the touch. This cigar had a nice slightly sweet prelight smell.
 
Construction :
This cigar was well made overall. It had an excellent draw and stayed lit very well. However, the burn was uneven though not to the point of being a real problem.

Flavor :
This stick started with a toasty tobacco taste with hints of sweetness and white pepper that continued through the 1st half. It was bittersweet on the finish and had a slight hoppyness that reminded me of a pale ale. This cigar lost complexity in the 2nd half and was reduced to just toast and pepper. It was fairly smooth overall and was medium to full bodied.

Value :
From what I've seen the Double Robust retails for between $8 and $9. This just seems high to me. There is some really stiff competition in this pricing segment and it may be tough for people to take a chance on this brand at this price point. I personally feel the $5-$7 price range would be more appropriate, but I still think it is worth trying at its retail price.

Overall Rating :
I found this to be surprisingly complex in the 1st half, but was disappointed with the change I experienced in the 2nd. It just seemed to fall flat at that point. Overall, a nice experience and I found it to be an out of the ordinary cigar with a unique flavor profile. Aging might do this cigar some good, I only had mine 2 weeks. Worth a try if you see one at your local shop.