Origin : Cuba
Format : Short Robusto
Size : 4 x 50
Hand-Made
Price : ~$15+ each

After getting a couple of reminders from readers, I guess it’s about time to start reviewing the new 2010 Cuban limited editions. What have we got here? A Montecristo Grand Edmundo (5.9 x 52), a Partagas Serie D Especial (5.6 x 50) and a Trinidad Short Robusto T (4 x 50). Notice the ring gauges… The Monte sounds plain boring, Partagas is not really a favorite brand of mine, so the choice of the first cigar to test was fairly quick – Trinidad Robusto T was my favorite cigar in 2009 and I couldn’t help thinking that there would be other similarities between these two besides the name.

Appearance : Rating:
The Short Robusto T has a rustic (which is typical of Trinidad) dark brown wrapper with a fair bit of imperfections (a couple of water spots, a trace of glue). The cigar is quite bumpy. However, the pigtail and the triple cap look great.

Construction : Rating:
The construction is spot on, with a draw that has the perfect amount of resistance and a burn that behaved very well in a windy environment (I did need to apply a couple of corrections).

Flavor : Rating:
Pre-light, the cigar has that sour smell that we all like. It is especially strong at the head, while the foot has a distinct woody smell. The wrapper is very spicy. As soon as I’m done toasting the foot, I experience the first bouquet of the Short Robusto T – it is composed of sweet coffee, wood and pepper. What’s striking is that the flavors change from puff to puff – the sweetness becomes more or less present, from time to time I discern some (rare) toasted notes and the spiciness seems to randomly fluctuate. Very complex and medium-bodied. As I enter the second third, the addition of bitterness is obvious, it starts to taste like dark chocolate. Pretty enjoyable as well. In the last third, the sweetness and the pepper disappear, resulting in a heavy, mostly woody finish.

Value : Rating:
This is where a comparison with the Trinidad Robusto T is inevitable. The new limited edition is both shorter and more expensive than the robusto… As for the flavor, there are definitely some similarities yet again, I find the robusto superior.

Overall Rating : Rating:
Although I thoroughly enjoyed my Trinidad Short Robusto T LE 2010, I can’t wholeheartedly recommend a box purchase because IMO the money is better spent on a box of the Robustos T. However, I definitely encourage you to pick a few singles, they are fine smokes.