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From
CigarPad.com (March 6, 2006)
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Written by Administrator |
| Monday, 06
March 2006 |
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Tabacos de la CordilleraTM
ColinasTM Robusto
rating: 88
When it comes to cigars, especially in the United States, the
words “Cuban” or “Havana” have a certain mystique to them. Many
of the top selling brands - while not having an ounce of Cuban
tobacco in them – often sport names that generically associate
the cigar with the hard to come by and frequently talked about
Cuban cigars. Unfortunately, even some true Cuban cigars aren’t
as “Cuban” as they used to be. Tabacos de la Cordillera,
however, has found a way to embrace some of the essence of Cuban
cigars, while remaining legal and affordable in the U.S. |
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Tabacos de la Cordillera is a smaller cigar
company that has taken 100% genetically pure, pre-embargo Cuban
tobacco seeds in more than 40 different varieties, to grow a
tobacco crop used for their premium hand-rolled cigars. From
this crop they have produced several cigar lines, including the
popular Cumbres de Puriscal line, the Pursico, and Picos lines,
as well as the Colinas line. We recently had the opportunity to
taste several of the Robusto shaped Colinas cigars. |
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The Colinas Robusto is a 5 inch, 50 ring-gauge
smoke made from the same pre-embargo tobacco as the other
Tabacos de la Cordillera cigars. Available only through their
website (www.tabacordillera.com), the Colinas cigars are a
bargain at $12.50 for a bundle of 5, or $62.50 for 25. At only
$2.50 per stick, its hard to imagine that such an inexpensive
smoke can deliver such a pleasurable experience. |
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The dark wrapper of the Colinas was slightly
oily, with an almost sandy texture to the leaves. A few distinct
veins protrude from the firmly rolled cigar. The overall look of
the cigar is beautiful, although the presentation doesn’t quite
do the smoke justice. As a bundled cigar, there isn’t a “wow”
factor when opening up a bundle, and the band doesn’t have a
very regal look to it. In fact, without tasting or smelling the
Colinas, you might think you were getting just another bundle
cigar. |
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Tabacos de la Cordillera’s Colinas really shines
once it has been lit. Lighting the Colinas is a breeze, with a
pleasant initial smoke aroma, and a quick but controlled draw.
Actually, the draw from the Colinas is one of the most
pleasurable draws a smoker could expect from a cigar – not too
tight and not too loose. It responds perfectly to the effort
exerted to draw in smoke from the cigar. Despite the easy draw
the Colinas still burns at a slow pace, which allows smokers to
fully enjoy the slightly shorter robusto. As the cigar smokes
down the burn stays even, requiring little to no attention. The
ash also stays sharp and defined, though the slightly soft ash
falls off a little bit earlier than expected. |
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Flavors from the Colinas include a hint of spice
surrounded by grassy and woody overtones, with a touch of
cinnamon. The spice and cinnamon comes without a detection of
sweetness, however. In fact, a small amount of bitterness was
experienced in the immediate aftertaste, though this sensation
faded quickly. The overall taste was noticeable and distinct,
but it didn’t quite have the robust body and complexity of an
after-dinner high-flavor cigar. On the plus side, the aftertaste
of the Colinas is pleasant, lasting on the palette just long
enough. The smoky flavor of the aftertaste is reminiscent of the
actual tobacco flavor, without leaving the harsh ashtray taste
in your mouth. The smoke itself is smooth and cool. There is no
heat or bite to the tongue or throat. |
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As a whole, the Colinas is an extremely good
bargain. It is not going to be one of those cigars that you age
in your humidor for a year or two, waiting for the perfect
special occasion to enjoy. Instead, it is certainly worth the
money to throw ten or twenty in the humidor to save for that
Friday afternoon after a long week of work, when you just want
to kick back with a glass of scotch and a really enjoyable
cigar, to let the week slowly burn away in an aromatic cloud of
smoke. These are the cigars you don’t have to think about to
enjoy. You don’t have to worry about the burn. You don’t have to
try to detect the subtle flavor nuances. You light it, you smoke
it, and you enjoy the hell out of it. |
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Our final score for the Colinas Robusto cigar
is: 88 |
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