First Third

My White Label Robusto opens with bold earthy notes, toasted nuts, red pepper spice, hay, and an emerging creamy note at the back of the palate. There are so many flavor notes to pick apart in these first few puffs. Which is why I have to allow the cigar to settle. After a few draws, a delicious creamy note dominates the front of the palate. Beneath it are sizzling citrus notes, nuts, hay, and an undeniable meaty nuance. There's an absolutely delightful long finish enveloped in sweet toffee. 

When I Retrohale, an exquisite but fleeting mint savor whizzes past me. It's so fluid and subtle that you can't help but chase it. The construction on this baby is rock solid. Even though the ash is a little flaky it doesn't fall. It's a perfect milkshake draw crowned by a razor sharp burn.

Mid Third

It's in the mid third that I notice the billows of smoke emanating from this stogie. The truth is, smoke output was top-notch all through and I just wasn't paying attention. But now that we're talking about the smoke, it's not the heavy cotton mouth-like feel. It's thin, light, silky, and wispy smoke.

In the mid third a creamy buttery cake flavor sets in. Nuts, citrus, hay, and implicit sweetness take a back seat. The meaty note adapts a pork-like disposition. Red pepper comingles with cedar, dry herbs, and toasted nuts to create an interestingly enjoyable camaraderie. The long sweet toffee finish becomes short with roasted coffee, orange peel essence, and a certain sourdough tartness appearing at the very end.

The overall experience is very smooth and creamy. I have no complaints about the burn line, smoke, draw, or construction whatsoever. Finally I can definitively speak about the body. Flavor is full at this point while the strength is medium to full.

Final Third

I knew I was in the final third when everything began to intensify. The nutty flavors mature to a full-on peanut butter creaminess while the dry fruit notes that had gone obscure come back as full floral piquancy. Orange bitters combine with earthy tones and brand new leather to create an interesting base. Dancing all over my palate are notes of roasted coffee, cedar, hay, white pepper, and cream. That elusive mint note comes in clean and flashy. Flavours are popping all over and strength is a solid medium to full. My White Label Robusto went for a little over an hour. It was worth every minute.