Ilegal Maduro Robusto by Robaina 5/2/20

Appearance

A dark chocolate colored wrapper with a few thin veins. The seams are tightly wrapped. It feels like very fine grit sandpaper but the nice light oil sheen looks very nice. The filler bunch is well packed with no apparent soft spots.

Aroma

Dried fruit, dark chocolate, cedar and a mild spice on the wrapper. Closed foot.

Prelight Draw

Dried red fruit, earth, dark chocolate, cedar and black pepper/cinnamon spice.

1st

The initial draws bring notes of earth, cedar and cinnamon spice. The next set of draws brings a heavy black pepper presence with a dried fruit note in the background. On the finish the profile balances with the fruit notes balancing the heavy black pepper notes. The draw is a tick snug and the burn is mildly erratic but we are just getting started. The ash is medium gray and stacked with a bit of flake. The burn is self correcting with the help of simple physics. Draw has opened up nicely at 3/4” in to the 1st/3rd. Smoke production is at the medium range. The ash interestingly is very light gray as it 1st burns then becomes more medium gray as it cools. The ash dropped at just over an inch so beware. Strength is medium. The chocolate notes become very prominent at the end of the 1st/3rd.

2nd

Upon inspection of the working end I find the tunnel near the binder that was causing the uneven burn appears to be ending. The profile is very well balanced at the midway point of the cigar. A perfect amount of gomma was used as the band removes with no damage. Smoke production is at the high range. The finish is long with notes of cedar, earth, red fruit, chocolate and a perfectly balanced cinnamon/black pepper spice combo.

Final/3rd

Moving into the final/3rd the well balanced and flavorful profile continues unchanged. Strength moves to med/full. The well balanced and flavorful profile continues right to the nub.

Overall

The Ilegal Maduro Robusto provides an enjoyable smoking experience. A well balanced and flavorful profile with a perfect draw and mildly erratic burn.

A very good cigar from Hirochi Robaina and Spence Drake(one of the brand owners of LaFamilia Robaina) which is to be expected with the Robaina name and heritage.