Review: Gran Habano Tres Siglos Gran Robusto - Cyber Herf IV

[montecristo#2]

This is the latest review from Cyber Herfing.

Tom (icehog3) and I started Cyber Herfing since we couldn't herf in person. If you missed the first three Cyber Herfs, you can find them here: 1, 2 and 3.

At the end of Cyber Herf III, Bob (discdog) asked if he could pick the cigar (Gran Habano Tres Siglo Gran Robusto) for CH IV. Tom and I agreed under one condition, Bob joined us for the Herf. Well, we decided to light these up tonight, Tom should be starting any minute now. I thought I would post my review first.

Before I start, I just want to thank Bob again for sending us the cigars.

Pre-light observations: This is one mammoth cigar weighing in a 6 x 54, this cigar really feels substantial in the hand. Very nice dark oily wrapper, reminds me of a good Tatuaje Cojonu 2003. Some minor wrapper imperfections, but nothing significant. All in all, a very nice looking cigar. I did notice something a little unusual, when examining the foot, I notice some dark black leaves in the cigar, this is the first time I recall seeing filler this black.

I had a little trouble cutting the head with my palio, this cigar barely fits into the opening. I took a pre-light draw and it felt a little tight. This is when things got a little strange for me. I noticed a taste on the wrapper I couldn't put my finger on. After a couple of more tastes, I swear the wrapper tasted like cherry cough medicine. Very strange. It also started to burn my lips slightly. I also noticed I was having difficulties holding this cigar in my mouth as it was rather heavy. I even had difficulties holding it between my teeth. This made taking notes while smoking a little difficult as well, since I smoke outside without any sort of ashtray to rest the cigar on.

After I figured out the taste, I decided it was time to light this baby up. Unfortunately, this was no easy task. This cigar did not want to light evenly. It seemed like half the filler wanted to burn, while the other have did not. I am pretty sure the area with the most black leaves was the part that did not want to burn. At this point, a ton of smoke was coming off of the end of the cigar as it tried really hard to correct itself (it tried valiently). I took a couple of puffs and I could tell this cigar was not going to satisfy. The draw was a little bit tighter than I prefer and the amount of smoke was definitely lacking for me.

For the first 1/2 inch or so, I really struggled to get this cigar burning correctly. The ash was shooting out is all directions like the different leaves were burning at different rates. This cigar had one of the ugliest ashes I have ever seen. Burning issues continued throughout the smoke, at times it seemed like the wrapper was fire resistant. Halfway through, my lighter ran out of butane.

While I was struggling to get this cigar burning correctly, I really couldn't concentrate on the flavor profile. After I got it burning decently, I could finally focus my attention on the meat of this cigar. I found this cigar to be more medium-bodied and it was pretty smooth. The flavor profile was not bad, but nothing special either. It didn't have the sweetness I associate with Nicaraguan tobacco (wrapper and binder are Nic, while the filler is Nic., Costa Rican and Colombian). After about another inch, the cigar started to get a little bitter, but this could have been from me smoking too quickly as I was attempting to get more smoke from the tight draw. The slight cherry flavor would come in and out as well.

Honestly, I prefer cigars with slightly loose draws that produce tons of smoke. In my limited experience with larger RG cigars (> 50 RG), at least for me, I have found most cigars with a 54 RG to be a little too tight for me (might just be a coincidence). Whereas, the couple of 60 RG cigars I have smoked have been awesome as they have produced tons of smoke.

My overall review of this cigar is tainted because of the burn issues and the tight draw. I actually ended up putting the cigar out halfway through as it wasn't doing much for me. Again, not bad, but nothing special.

In terms of construction, this cigar was the worst of the four we have smoked so far. In terms of the flavor profile, I would rate this cigar above the Old Henry and the Padron 40th (both were too full and harsh), but it was not as good as the Avo 80th.

Bob, I just wanted to thank you again for letting me try this cigar. I also want to assure you my review in no way reflects poorly on you. I will let the other one you sent me sit for a while and I will try it again some time in the future.

I look forward to seeing both Tom and Bob's review of this cigar.

[edit] = wow, I didn't realize I wrote that much, this is a long review!

[smokin5]

Hmmm...sounds like a drag on the drag. Never had this one, but I DO enjoy the Gran Habano 3 (Habano) Churchill. It's never given me a problem with draw, and its quite a tasty stick. Try it, you won't regret it.

[discdog]

First I would like to thank Tom and Aaron for letting me participate in this little experiment. It has been a pleasure "talking" with them throughout the last couple of weeks leading up to tonight.


Brand: Gran Habano


Frontmark/Vitola/Size: Tres Siglos

Wrapper: Nicaraguan Shadegrown Rosado


Binder: Nicaraguan

Filler: Nicaraguan,Costa Rican, and Columbian – Three different ligeros from three different farms

Local/online price: These range in price from $6.50 to $8.50 both locally and online
There are 4 different sizes available: Churchill, grand robusto, torpedo and the robusto
This was the Grand Robusto which weighs in at 6 x 54
However, they are a somewhat limited release and getting difficult to find


First impression: Beautiful chocolate wrapper with an oily sheen, a couple of veins, small and not much to worry about, had some tiny lumps under the wrapper. The cigar is bigger than what I normally smoke and seemed to weigh a ton. Nothing uncomfortable, but it was a handful.

Prelight draw: Medium draw with a sweet, spicy taste. I decided to punch this cigar, it has a triple cap and a flat head so this just seemed right.

Light: I used my Vector Table torch with no problems, as usual

Smoking the cigar: I love the taste of this cigar; initial draw is spicy with wood & some kind of floral/fruit taste. First inch add a floral note and you have this cigar. All the way through the first half I was constantly bombarded with a sweet spice, coffee, toast and wood. In the last half, the nicotine was amped up a little, the flavors kept changing, cedar and spice and the fruit in the forefront with the toast and sweet floral fading in and out. Pure pleasure.

Ash: I have been on a quest this year to stop wearing ash on myself, so I ash my smokes about every inch or so. This one was a really nice layered white/grey with flecks of black throughout, I don’t believe it would have any problems holding on for 2 plus inches

Conclusion/Comments: This is a must try cigar. If you like the Gran Habanos line, this is the #5 with some finesse.This cigar burned well with no touch up required, smoked cool and smooth the whole way.The only thing I can say bad about this cigar is, it would be really interesting with a little more strength as this was more on the medium side. I will hunt these down so I will always have some on hand.

My scale for rating is as follows:
Appearance: 1-10
Construction: 1-10
Burn: 1-10
Taste: 1-60
Value: 1-10

For this cigar:
A- 9
C- 8
B- 7
T- 58
V- 9

For a total of - 91


Aaron, I hate to hear your sample sucked. I didn't even look in the box when I picked mine out, they have always been consistantly good, so the thought never even occured to me.
I also like the fact that you identified the "cherry" taste. I called it fruit, but you're exactly right, cherry nailed it.
Hopefully your next one will be a mirror image of the one I had tonight since I enjoyed mine so much.
Let's hope Tom's is more of mine and less of yours.
Thanks again.

[montecristo#2]

Bob,

First of all, I really like your style of review. The background information about the cigar and price is really cool. The layout is easy to follow and well done.

Maybe I got the runt of the litter? I might have to torch the second one you sent me this weekend to see if it burns a little better so I can give this cigar a review when it burns properly.

Do you really taste cherries as well? I normally cannot pick out distinct flavors in a cigar, but this one definitely tasted like cherry. When my wife was in Belgium, she brought back some extreme cherry beer (rather funky to say the least) and this cigar reminded me of that stuff. Not as strong, but definitely cherry.

It will be interesting to see what Tom thinks of his specimen.

Bob, if you are up for some more cyber herfing, as soon as we finish IV, we can start planning V.

[discdog]

Aaron, I was thinking. Did you happen to dry box that stick before you smoked it. I've never tried smoking one that's been with that particular humidification device I sent. Just seems like all of the bad things you experienced could be from over-humidification.

Like I said, I couldn't figure out what the "fruity" flavor was. In 46 years, I have probably not eaten cherries more than 10 times. Just not one of my favorites. But as soon you said it, it clicked.

Yeah, I'm hoping Tom likes his and we just find out that it was YOU, and not the cigar.lol

I would love to participate on a continual basis, just let me know.

[icehog3]

Bob, you are definitely with us for Round V...and that one will be on me.
I am getting cut short on time before work here and do not want to rush typing the review..so I will keep you in suspense until tonight!

[montecristo#2]

Come on Tom, you are killing me. I can't wait to see what you thought of this cigar.

Bob - I didn't dry box it, I put it into a temporary storage container with 69% boveda packets. Maybe it was over-humidified? However, other cigars in the container have not had burn problems like this one, so. . .

I hope it is just me and not the cigar as well! I guess we won't know until Tom posts his review.

So what do you think we should smoke for Cyber Herf V?

[icehog3]

Well, my view of the cigar is closer to Bob's than to Aaron's on this one, although not nearly as many flavors nor as highly rated.

As Aaron said, this is a substancial cigar. Mine felt a bit firm near the head and I feared a tight draw, but those fears were soon allieviated. This was a good looking dark wrappered cigar, but like Aaron I was suprised with how dark some of the filler tobacco apperared.

The worst part of the smoke for me was getting it lit. Tried my Blazer PB-207 and could only get about half the filler lit before running out of butane....next was my Zippo with an insert, not much better. Finally got it lit with some cedar matches.

Once I got it lit, the draw was nice and easy and the cigar produced tons of smoke. There was a sweetness to the cigar, not on the wrapper for me as Aaron described, but in the taste of the filler. I didn't get cherry, but then again I couldn't put my finger on the taste. Suffice to say that it was mild and pleasant.

The cigar burned perfect all the way through, razor's edge with no issues staying lit. The amount of smoke I got leads me to believe that Aaron did get the runt of this litter...I hope the other one Bob sent treats you better.

As far as taste, there were no changes throughout the cigar for me. A hint of sweetness and a bit of "toasty" flavor remained constant throughout. Again, the flavor was pleasant, but much milder than the cigars I prefer to smoke. The one unusual thing I did notice was that I tasted this cigar much more in my nose than almost any cigar I have smoked...no idea why. The finish was very short on this one.

So my review.....a good mild cigar. Perfect for a smoker who likes a long mild smoke...also might be good for someone with an extra long morning to enjoy it. I would rate this one above the Old Henry and below the Avo80, though not by too much. It is hard to compare to the Padron 40th because they are such different cigars, a strong spicy cigar Vs. a mild sweeter one.

Bob, thanks so much for the opportunit to try another new cigar. I look forward to many more of these...now you two just need to decide what I should get us for CHV.

[montecristo#2]

I must have gotten the runt of the litter!

I might have to light up the second one Bob sent me this weekend just to give it another try. Maybe it was the costa rican or columbian tobacco that was so dark?

Tom - great review. In terms of the flavor profile, this was more medium to me, but I definitely agree with your overall review. It was definitely a long cigar as well, I think it took me almost an hour to smoke 1/2 of this mammoth.

Looks like we all had a slightly different opinion on this one.

So what will it be for Cyber Herf V? La Flor Coronado, Factory Press II, Padilla Signature, Tatuaje SW, Tatuaje RC184 . . .

[icehog3]

Originally Posted by montecristo#2

Tatuaje RC184 . . .

Neverland?? Was that you, you Mother Scratcher???

[hurricane6]

great reviews guys!!! a very interactive 3 way! i like the #5 and have been wanting to try these, of course my locals don't carry them. anyway great reviews , it has been added to the LIST!

[montecristo#2]

Originally Posted by icehog3

Neverland?? Was that you, you Mother Scratcher???

Sorry Tom, it wasn't me. I had never even heard of Diego Sanchez before you made that post. Sorry, if I implied I sent you that bomb, that was not my intention.

I just noticed you had received one in the mail. I have one that has been sitting in my humidor a while that I really want to smoke, but have not had a good reason to. I was actually just chatting with erab the other day about splitting a box of these in the future and wanted to smoke the one I have before I buy more.

Sorry, wrong use of the . Should have had something like, well since you just got one in the mail, we could always smoke it for CHV. . .

[icehog3]

Originally Posted by montecristo#2

Sorry Tom, it wasn't me. I had never even heard of Diego Sanchez before you made that post. Sorry, if I implied I sent you that bomb, that was not my intention.

I just noticed you had received one in the mail. I have one that has been sitting in my humidor a while that I really want to smoke, but have not had a good reason to. I was actually just chatting with erab the other day about splitting a box of these in the future and wanted to smoke the one I have before I buy more.

Sorry, wrong use of the . Should have had something like, well since you just got one in the mail, we could always smoke it for CHV. . .

No worries Aaron! If Bob hasn't had one of these yet, I can check the Wisconsin B&M we are having the April MoB Herf at to see if the stock them. What say ye, Bob?

[discdog]

Tom, I'm glad you at least enjoyed yours. And I must confess, I get a lot of my taste by exhaling through my nose. So I do this quite frequently. This particular smoke has a lot of pepper when you do this that you never get otherwise. I always found that odd.
I believe the black tobacco is the Costa Rican, I remember reading that somewhere in anothe review.
I've never heard of the cigar you're talking about. I'll have to check around to see if they are available for the next herf.
And worry for the delayed post, have been working on the house all day, just stopped for the night and back at it in the am.

[icehog3]

Originally Posted by discdog

Tom, I'm glad you at least enjoyed yours. And I must confess, I get a lot of my taste by exhaling through my nose. So I do this quite frequently. This particular smoke has a lot of pepper when you do this that you never get otherwise. I always found that odd.
I believe the black tobacco is the Costa Rican, I remember reading that somewhere in anothe review.
I've never heard of the cigar you're talking about. I'll have to check around to see if they are available for the next herf.
And worry for the delayed post, have been working on the house all day, just stopped for the night and back at it in the am.

No, the next cigar is on me Bob, at least yours is if Aaron wants to smoke the one he has resting. I will actually be at a B&M downtown Thursday, hopefully they will have them there.