Cusano M1 Robusto

Bundled cigars may not be the sexiest pick at your local brick and mortar or favorite online retailer, but they do help take the strain off your wallet. Many times, there is a sacrifice that comes with buying value cigars, and that is to be expected. The mild and smooth M1 line from Cusano offers bundled cigars at an affordable price. Luckily, they are said to be of decent quality and a pleasant surprise considering their price. Some have called them a similar, yet cheaper alternative to Macanudo cigars. Sounds good to me. Let's light one up and see.

The Robusto vitola of the Cusano M1 line measures 5 x 50. The cigar also comes in three other traditional sizes: the 6 x 52 Torpedo, the 6 ½ x 42 Corona, and the 7 ½ x 50 Churchill. The M1 Robusto has a filler and binder made from Dominican tobaccos. The wrapper is Connecticut Shade. As stated, the M1 line is anything but a powerhouse and is listed as being a mild-bodied cigar.

At first glance, the M1 Robusto definitely has somewhat of a budget look to it. It's not ugly by any means, but it doesn't have the refined look of more premium sticks. A simple green, white, and gold band sits near the head. It denotes the Cusano name and the M1 label. Again, nothing too flashy here, if that even matters. The cigar itself has a light-brown wrapper with a slight amount of oil. A few large veins are visible and the cap is a tad ragged. Construction is not impeccable, but there are no major red flags. The M1 Robusto has a little give to it when pressed, so it does not seem to be packed tightly. It has a pre-light aroma of cedar. The cold taste is slightly sweet.

It may not be the prettiest or most impeccably constructed cigar on the block, but the Cusano M1 has a surprisingly solid burn. It does tend to burn a bit fast, but the burn line stays even for the most part. Only a couple of minor touch-ups are needed. Zero re-lighting is necessary. The ash is more flaky than solid, but it does have a nice light color. The draw is easy.