H. Upmann Royal Robusto

Overall Score

1 review for H. Upmann Royal Robusto

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    C**** I********

    H. Upmann Royal Robusto

    H. UpmannOrigin : Cuba
    Format : Edmundo
    Size : 135 (5.3 in) x 22 mm
    Ring : 52
    Hand-Made
    Price : ~10 EUR each

    Many thanks to Frédéric from La Casa del Habano Knokke (Belgium) for sending me these cigars for review! Check out the shop for a nice selection of Cubans.

    Released in the beginning of October 2011, H. Upmann Royal Robusto is a special edition cigar limited to La Casa del Habano stores worldwide. Only 5,000 boxes, each one containing 10 stogies, were created. I can now proudly say that I consumed 1/50000th of the total production, which means that this review is based on one sample only. However, I think that the probability of me smoking at least 10 of these in the coming years is pretty high, if you know what I mean.

    Appearance : [rating:4.5/5]
    This cigar is far from flawless. Its wrapper doesn’t have a regular shade of brown and features a lot of small darker spots. The Royal Robusto is rather bumpy and the veining is prominent. However, its slightly rustic appearance combined with the perfect triple cap and a top notch roll result in a damn attractive cigar.

    Construction : [rating:4.5/5]
    After I clipped the triple cap, I discovered a comfortable draw with as much resistance that I am looking for in a cigar. It doesn’t feel like a regular robusto in the mouth and I remind myself that this is a royal one, i.e. it has an extra 2 ring gauge. The Royal Robusto has a VERY slow burn – indeed, the cigar is very tightly packed and the wrapper is super thick. Sometimes, this combination means that there’s a high chance of the cigar going out, but this was not the case here. I knocked off half a star because the white aromatic smoke was not as thick as I’d want it to be. Oh, forgot to tell you everything about the ash – it’s spectacular. White, rock-solid and holds for well over 2 inches.

    Flavor : [rating:4.5/5]
    The beginning is one of the best ones I ever experienced in a Cuban cigar. Instead of a simple spice kick, I get toasted notes which do contain spice but all the flavors are perfectly balanced. Surprisingly, the cigar doesn’t taste young at this point (I’m fairly sure it was boxed in 2011). The spice, in fact, is simply perfect – entertaining and far from overwhelming. The flavors are so… meaty. The first third is also characterized by other spicy flavors like gingerbread and cinnamon.

    As I slowly (very slowly, see my remark about the burn above) transition into the second third, something changes. I need a minute to understand what’s going on as I don’t really expect this cigar to develop any sweetness. But here it is, raisins, dried apricots, honey… amazing. These flavors do not last very long though. Progressively, woody notes begin to dominate the flavor profile. From medium-bodied until this point, the Royal Robusto gets rather full-bodied in the beginning of the last third. This is where I feel the freshness of its tobacco – the flavor profile is rough around the edges with strong notes of leather. It stays this way until the very end.

    Value : [rating:4/5]
    LCDH Knokke has them at 105 EUR/box of 10, which is a solid value in my book (they are out of stock as of now and available at pre-order).

    Overall Rating : [rating:4.5/5]
    You might notice that I liked this cigar a lot. In fact, the first half is so good that I’m willing to try ageing it for 6-12 months to see what it does to the last third. From my experience with other young Cubans, the results can be truly rewarding. I know some of you have already received your boxes of H. Upmann Royal Robustos – I’d be curious to hear your opinions about this release!

    Helpful?
    0 0
    • s***** W*****

      I just smoked my second out of a box of 10. The first one had major burn issues probably because I only let it rest for a week after receiving mine in the mail. I let the second one rest an additional 3 weeks and did not experience any burn issues. The flavors on the first 3rd were complex with woodsy spice that had hints of sweet cinnamon the ash went 1 1/2″ before a I ashed it. The flavors mellowed out after the last half and remained woodsy with a hint of mint. I plan on aging the remaining 8 for at least a year before I have my 3rd try at this fine cigar.

    • J**** H

      Bought a box of 10 of Sept. 2014 release. Smoked the first one at end of January 2016. Construction, burn, smoke volume were all outstanding. The flavor was full and I smoked it to the nub with never a hint of bitterness or “ammonia”. One of the best Habano’s I’ve smoked at a price point below $20 per stick.

    • S************ J**

      I purchased a couple of these as singles from LCDH and just smoked one. Would agree that they are young and need some aging. I found the smoke to be medium bodied thoughout and did not get any of the flavors others have. I will let the other one sit for a few months and try again.

    • l******

      Just finish one and must say…It was a top notch smoke! Amazing flavors almost creamy from the start to finish. Near perfect burn and a full 1 1/2 of ash before it toppled.
      I felt that this cigar did not have some of the typical Upmann mustiness that I have noticed from the 46/50. The RR will stay with me for a while. It will be hard to let the box age!

    • 1**

      I dont know all the fancy words to describe a cigar but ive smoked many but this one deserves special attention. a great smoke with a some ageing and a camp fire get um well you still can u wont regret it!

    • J****

      Chipping away at first box and just put down second box for a nap. I can only imagine what these will taste like in 1-3 years.

      Lets face it, the CC naysayers are wrong. I have smoked better younger cigar the last 18 months that I ever have before.

    • B*****

      I just smoked one this afternoon, perfect draw, flawless appearance. Flavorwise great and interesting with Upmann, honey, wood etc… Loved it but the combustion was terrible in the end.

    • D******

      2nd release (I presume 2012’s) are out at authorized retailers. I ordered my two boxes last night.

    • D******

      I had the pleasure of smoking one of these last night. You are correct in recommending some age for this cigar. Although I did love the cigar and was able to catch all the taosted nut, cocoa and caramel flavours that I expected, I did find some bitter amonia like sections during my experience. However, these spots were minimal and do not detract from my experience which for the most part was incredible. It burned like a charm and smoked beautifully. Extremely tasty with a creamy velvety smoke. I will be buying some to age for sure.

    • m*****

      Thank you very much for the review of a cigar that if it ever arrives in Spain it will have to take some time. From your excellent comments I tend to agree that ageing will be highly recommended for this cigar. It is mouthwatering when you say that the medium body turns to full body and the freshness of the tobacco…!!! With H Upmann flavors..!! Exciting,
      What has arrived here is the short hoyo piramides, galera forum, E.L. 2011, that I have smoked several this week(since I know you are an Hoyo fan) with excellent tobacco and wonderfull fermentation. I think you will enjoy. Please find them, smoke them and give us your opinion. Gracias.

    • B***********

      Working my way thru another now. Great value in a special release. Rich, complex…..and young. Bun problems working out after 1/3 with some help. Spicy, toasty with an underlying barnyard muskiness (hay?) waiting to come thru. I’m gonna bet on these aging well. 5 boxes please!

    • T*******

      What a terrific review! I’m sure going to get myself a box of 10 when I come across a LCDH during one of my business trips. Thank you for posting this.

    • S****

      They are wonderful cigars that need a bit more time. I bought two boxes when they were first released and couldn’t help myself from trying one soon thereafter. They are rich, tasty and complex with loads of Upmann flavors and hints of Mag 50 LE greatness. That being said, they are terribly young. The wrapper burnt horribly and it kept going out (admittedly, I was working while smoking so I wasn’t completely paying attention to it). The particular cigar I smoked probably could have benefitted greatly from a dry boxing for a couple days. In addition, the cigar got a little acrid towards the final 1/3. My suggestion is to buy you can get your hands on and give them a long rest — at least a year and probably three.

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Cigar Region Cuba
Filler Cuban
Wrapper Cuba
Binder Cuba
Length 5 1/3
Ring Gauge 52
Vitola Robusto
Construction Hand Made