Casa Magna Robusto Review

[uvacom]

Yeah, it's another casa magna review.

Some of you may remember I went out and grabbed a handful of these and offered most of them up here to the pufferfish. I kept two, one each for me and sam. The other night, we decided to light them up.

This is what it looks like:



Overall construction on these cigars is very good. Nice, tight looking roll, great cap, no lumps, modest veins, all complemented by a gorgeous oily colorado wrapper.

The prelight draw on these cigars was a little tight, mostly woodsy, reminiscent of a forest just after a rainstorm - I don't mean that in the poetic sense, that is truly the sensation which came to mind which was closest to the taste of the cigar.

Initial flavors were that of pablano pepper, green and vegetal but sweet and with a little spice. Into the first third this settled into a flavor which was more pine pitch - enticing and aromatic, but astringent and bitter at the same time.

There was little evolution throughout the cigar other than a gradual transition towards something in between pine and cedar - redwood, perhaps. I found the cigar to be very woodsy, but also with a lingering bitterness. I also found the draw to be uncomfortably tight, so much so that I wish I had a draw tool. At the same time, it was not so tight as to be described as "plugged", there was just a lot of tobacco in this cigar. I can't attribute this to the humidity in which it was stored, my humidor is constantly at about 62F/64%rh which is on the dry side, if anything.

I will say however that the burn was consistant, the ash was very pretty, and the wrapper was incredibly pliable - I was contantly massaging the cigar very firmly in an attempt to loosen it up, and the wrapper held admirably.

I ended up pitching this cigar a little more than halfway through. I can't say I enjoyed it too much, but neither can I say it was a terrible cigar. If I were to ascribe a CA-style numerical rating to it, I'd give it about an 84.

A few more pictures (this part is only exciting when the cigar explodes. this one didn't):

[cigarlvr]

I couldn't agree with you more on this cigar. I am not sure where CA get there numbers from but it sure wasn't what they were saying it was.

[Baldyisme]

Thanks for the review. Obviously not your #1 maybe not even your top 10? Wish I could find some here in Canada to try.

[uvacom]

No, not a top 10 at all. I might give this cigar another try some day. If the draw were better and the bitterness were not present, that would probably put it in the top 10 for me. I think it was just rolled a little too tight, causing tar build-up in the cigar (bitterness) and the draw problem. I should have also mentioned that the 3/5 of a cigar took nearly an hour to smoke (at a measured but dutiful pace), and never threatened to burn out, so I think that also supports this.

[andrewsutherland2002]

So, did it taste just like a JdN Antano?

[uvacom]

Originally Posted by andrewsutherland2002

So, did it taste just like a JdN Antano?

I wouldn't know, I haven't had one yet. But in comparing the two at a B&M it clearly has a different wrapper. I'm pretty certain they aren't the same cigar.

[drake.c.w.]

Originally Posted by andrewsutherland2002

So, did it taste just like a JdN Antano?

I've smoked a bunch of both and they're not even remotely close. I think the Casa Magna is just supposed to replace JdN because it went to Drew Estate. Or am I getting my facts mixed up?

[karmaz00]

thanks for the review...i need to get my hands on some...cant find them anywhere up here in the frozen north

[FN in MT]

I'd like to try one...but like many here...can't find them anywhere in MT. We have a poor selection of B&M's.

The top 25 list on CA seems to always bring a few good sticks to light. This past issue is no different. I found the Hoya de Tradicion's to be a nice find.

FN in MT

[Baz]

I smoked one today on the golf course and I must disagree...quite enjoyed it...8 1/2 out of 10 for me...nice draw, even burn, well made, nice feel...decent cigar...in my top 10 past 6 months for sure...!
Corona Cigar in Orlando (large superstore) has them at $5.50 per.

[Herf N Turf]

Originally Posted by drake.c.w.

I've smoked a bunch of both and they're not even remotely close. I think the Casa Magna is just supposed to replace JdN because it went to Drew Estate. Or am I getting my facts mixed up?

No. Sadly, you're right on the money. JdN is going away in order to make room for the more cost concious Magna. They don't taste anywher near the same, but are supposed to. The Antano is in my top 5 and the last two magna's I've smoked have delivered similar flavor, but to about half the degree... and have cracked. If I ever get to nub one, I will write a review. I am not impressed with this marketing effort. No, not at all.