Trinidad Robusto Extra

Origin : Cuba
Format : Double Robusto (Dobles)
Size : 156 x 19.84 mm
Ring : 50
Wrapper : Cuba
Binder : Cuba
Filler : Cuba
Hand-Made
Price : ~€22 each
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I have been looking forward to trying a cigar from the Trinidad line for quite some time. Although the price of the Robusto Extra scared me off a bit, I ended up splurging on one because I couldn't seem to find a Trinidad available in any other format in Marseille. Needless to say, when I eventually lit this baby up, I was expecting a great deal from it.

Appearance :
This is a beautiful cigar, with its cute and perfectly applied pig-tail end, and lovely warm-brown shaded wrapper. There were no protruding veins, and the cigar was smooth and silky to the touch. When I had bought the cigar at my local shop, it was in pristine condition. Unfortunately, by the time I got back home, the foot was slightly dammaged, as you can see in the picture.

After some cogitating, I understood the origin of the problem: Post my cigar purchase, I stopped by my favorite local vineyard (yes I am intent on making you feel envious about not living in the south of France, so suck it up.) to load up on two cases of their lovely, yet inexpensive, white and rosé wines for summer consumption. As it happens, there is a superb narrow, winding road, that twists through hill and dale on the way back from the vineyard. This wonderful stretch of road inevitably awakens the sports car driver in me (No I don't own a sports car, but I like to pretend I do.) on every occasion I pass through, delicate cigars as passengers or not. The end result was that my inner sports car driver was quite satisfied, but my inner cigar smoker rather disappointed with my recklesness.

 
Construction :
This was an almost perfectly rolled cigar; very well filled, and with a perfect draw. Taking a look at the foot you can observe the quality of the cigar. The ash was dense and not flaky at all. It fell off by itself after about the first inch, leaving an almost perfectly shaped cone, and then fell off only two more times through its entire length. The burn was not perfectly even, which is why it loses half a star, but never presented any real problems.

Flavor :
Pre-draw presented spice and green tea. Upon light up, this cigar immediately warns you that it means business, and that it is definitely a full bodied cigar. It starts with a spicy bang as well as a very pleasant cuban twang which intensifies throughout the cigar. During the first third I detected, roasted nuts, herbs and coffee flavourings with a pleasant herbacious aftertaste. Well into the first third there was also a bit of white pepper and vanilla. By the second third the spices began to kick in more, but the smoke remained very smooth. The last third presented earthy undertones with a bit of vanilla at times and an overall powerful spicy profile and Cuban twang, never becoming harsh. The last third would be very nicely paired with a good Islay single malt whiskey, unfortunately I had none on hand.

Value :
This is a bit hard for me to judge at it is an expensive cigar that does not quite fit my personal preferences in terms of strength, but I do believe that fans of powerful cigars will feel they spent their money well after smoking it.

Overall Rating :
This is a very high quality, smooth smoking cigar with a reasonably complex flavour profile that is certainly a must have for fans of full bodied cigars. If you like Partagas and Bolivar, you cannot really leave this cigar out of your personal humidor. You will not be disappointed. Due to my own personal preferences, I would probably not purchase this particular format of Trinidad again. On the other hand, I greatly look forward to trying out the Trinidad Coloniales, and Robusto T when it comes out later this year.