Cusano 18 Review

[PuroBrat]

How shall I start? Let me set the scene as I wax philosophical for a second.

Stars are so very numerous in our Galaxy, so many that I do not think anyone has or ever can count them all. Many have names I do not know, and some I do. But sitting outside reclined under the vast sky, watching the stars I was left to ponder why I am here. For what? I am sure of one thing, none of us are here on this earth simply by chance. Every one of us has a purpose, a reason to exist. Tonight, my mind was left to wonder about the stars, examining my life, and why I have been spared death so many times. I can't count the number of times I should have departed this earth in a flash with a bang. But I am still here. I hope to one day find the reason. But for now I am happy that I am.

Now, on to the cigar:

Cusano 18, Toro, about $3 in single from the local Majestic.

Here is what a well known retailer has to say about this line:

Cusano 18 cigars have a 1985 Dominican Oro/Seco filler leaf that's now 21 years old! To enhance the flavor of this rare leaf, Cusano uses rich Dominican Cuban Piloto & San Vicente Olor tobaccos, and binds them in a mild Connecticut Shade leaf with an aromatic Connecticut Shade wrapper.

This is a beautiful smoke. Smooth and delicate looking. I decided to remove the band first (a mistake) and found that the band was stuck and when removed brought a roofing nailhead size piece of the wrapper with it.

I had sat holding the cigar while watching the last of "High School Musical" on the Disney Channel. And since I had already chewed a hole in the cap and the draw was perfect, I did not cut any further. Toasting the foot released a wonderful smell that I can't describe but loved. It lit effortlessly and from the first puff I was delighted.

I am not real good at picking out subtle flavors but I would say this one was somewhat floral with a hint of leather. I try to place my cigars somewhere in the spectrum of my limited experience with cigars and this one took me back to a special night;

[SIZE="1"]I had just gotten the news that the two skull surgeries my son had just gone through were successful and that his head was to be perfect. I celebrated that night with a Cuban Monti 2. And this Cusano 18 had a flavor so close that I was reminded of that night.[/SIZE]

Mild is stretching it a bit, I would put it dead set in the Medium category. And this thing was so well constructed, I swear it would have smoked fine if the whole wrapper were gone, instead of just a smidge. It burned slow, straight and true, from start to finish.

About midway it picked up a strong essence of Earthy notes. and toward the end I detected a slight Citrus undertone and the Leather flavor became more pronounced. I smoked it down to about an inch and tossed it reluctantly. The smoke was so heavy that it lay swirling on the ground around the nub and was eventually carried vertically away by a light breeze.

As I write this I have to say, the only thing that would have made it better would have been a Cigar Brother to share the time with. I am drinking a Jasmine Green tea sweetened with Honey and enjoying the lingering flavor of a very good cigar.

I would recommend this cigar to anyone, and will. And watching the stars through wafting smoke being finally released into the air ids a fine way to enjoy one, trust me.

[Dr. Stogie Fresh]

An excellent review. And with that, I can finally retire for the evening.

Doc

[donp]

PB: I had one of those about 6 months ago, and didn't like it too much. I was very new to the hobby and didn't have a well developed palate at the time. On a hunch though, I went back to my local store and picked up another one; I wanted to be sure about this one. A stick with so many good leaves in it can't be as bad as the one I had was. I still have it in my humi, and will fire it up soon. It ought to be well rested now, and all that you say it is.
A good review....thanks.

[Miami]

I have had several and found them to be very good. I would like to try the maduro next. The nat was a bit to mild for me.

[stormin]

My wife bought one for me last year. It was too mild for my taste. Great review though. If I ever find myself smoking one again I will enjoy it much more then the first one only because I will think of your review while smoking.

[PuroBrat]

Originally Posted by Miami

I have had several and found them to be very good. I would like to try the maduro next. The nat was a bit to mild for me.

Agreed, the Maduro would actually be more to my style of normal smoke. I didn't even know they made it in a Maduro version until I went after thw Retailer blurb to put in this review. They don't have the maduro version in my area. I may need to order from that Famous Retailer

[sgresso]

awesome review

[Alpedhuez55]

Originally Posted by Miami

I have had several and found them to be very good. I would like to try the maduro next. The nat was a bit to mild for me.

I like the Maduro a little better. I think it is a paired Madoro with a Maduro Binder as well. I have several resting in the humidor now. I would also suggest trying the 18 which is a little stronger.

The whole Cusano is great for value. I have been smoking them ever since they were introduced at Two Guys Smokeshop back in the early 90s. I do find them to be a little light in the filler. That can make them soft at times. But they usually burn great and have a nice easy draw.

[celticgent]

i had one of the robustos about 6 months ago.

i remember it being really light tasting, and i liked it.

last night, i was drinking only water (not scotch like the other time)

and for some reason it tasted SPICY.

i was pretty shocked...i had to purge it twice because i was getting a lot of nicotine.

i almost thought that somebody switched the labels on me!

sooo weird.

but i guess it goes to show me how much a couple glasses of scotch can deaden my taste buds.

[Mister Moo]

Originally Posted by celticgent

...last night, i was drinking only water (not scotch like the other time) and for some reason it tasted SPICY... ...i was pretty shocked... ...sooo weird.

sounds like another one 'o them ancient celtic tales of mystery and weird stuff with crop circles and stone circles and cigar banshees and all that. It's creepin ' me out.

The C18 was one of my faves when I got interested in cigars but I drifted away to punchier tunes. There are still the remains of a box in the bottom of my humidor, waiting for a new guy to come along - something nice but mild that won't terrify a kid off the street. Never bad, just smooth and gentle.

[celticgent]

you're probably right.

my Pooka named Harvey switched the label on me

[Scott1966]

I like the Cusano 18 also but last week I tried the Cusano 18 Maduro and that was a really good smoke - better than the natural IMO. I was able to nub it.

[hunter1127]

Originally Posted by Scott1966

I like the Cusano 18 also but last week I tried the Cusano 18 Maduro and that was a really good smoke - better than the natural IMO. I was able to nub it.

I have always liked the Cusano 18 Nat. and found it to be a mild, but full flavored smoke. But just completed a box split w/ a fellow BOTL for the Paired Maduro..had 1st one last night. an outstanding smoke. More mild to meduim, well constructed, great even burn. Great flavors w/ a nice creamy finish. Highly recommened!!

[RumblePen]

I haven't had one of these in ages. I think they're great. I'd go as far as to call them the best mild cigar money can buy.