People are creatures of habit. Some less so than others but we all tend to stay with what works. Cigar smokers are a particularly loyal bunch, clinging to our favorite brands like cigar ash to a black dinner jacket. Some go so far as to prefer not only select brands, but vitolas as well. This is likely the result of how we were brought up (isn’t everything?), and the degree to which we cling to our preferences can be extreme. But being open-minded has big rewards. It gives us many more things to enjoy and doesn’t bog us down with the burden of negativity.
When the NUB brand cigars first appeared I was very skeptical. It seemed, to me, to be a gimmick and paying full price for half a cigar just didn’t make sense. I have since learned to appreciate the stubby sticks and now “get” what they are all about. But it took a bit of self-exploration to get there.
Another prejudice I had was against “house brand” cigars. I had the misconception that reputable cigar makers would never make a good cigar for such a limited market (the readers of a single cigar vendors catalog). Man was I wrong! I have since sampled some house brands that are as good as any cigar I have ever smoked. (see The Future of the Cigar Business…Boom or Bust?).
This Joe’s Gem was selected because it dispelled two misconceptions of mine, and in doing so, allowed me to experience an outstanding cigar that would have otherwise been rejected.
Brand: Medici
Vitola: Robolo (4.5 X 60)
Strength: mild – medium
Year purchased: 2010
Blender: Alec Bradley for BestCigarPrices.com
Price: $4/cigar
Preamble:
Sometimes smoking a cigar can be like taking a family vacation with the kids. It starts out fine but as the trip evolves, peace and harmony give way to disappointment and aggravation. Other times a trip can become a bonding experience, one that lives forever as a fond memory. This is especially true when smoking new cigars.
The Experience:
When I was given a Medici Robolo I had no expectations. I had never even heard of the brand. I could see its size would be a mouthful, but sometimes I enjoy a good, fat cigar, and the gorgeous chocolate brown wrapper was very alluring.
Right out of the cellophane, an aroma of chocolate and raisins filled my nostrils. I could smell a richness matched only by the deep color of the wrapper. I was now eager to light this fat boy. But this was no easy task. The foot was so wide and moist that I had to resort to the big guns…a triple flame lighter. Once an ample coating of white ash formed across the foot, I was ready for the first puff.
First impressions are often lasting and in the case of the Medici Robolo I was seduced right away. I was greeted with a wonderful aroma and a cornucopia of fruit overtones. With not a hint of bitterness, the flavor was a natural extension of the pre-lite taste. As the cigar continued to burn, the smooth sweetness continued to build with only a slightest feeling of pepper lurking in the background.
From start to finish, the Medici Robolo continued to impress. The flavor never diminished, never got bitter, and never betrayed my first impression. This cigar has a big flavor I can only describe as opulent. I quickly purchased a box and have since enjoyed half a dozen of these gems with each subsequent cigar tasting as good as the last. And as I write this, my Cigar Memory has me craving yet another.
Conclusion
For me, the Medici Robolo came out of nowhere. It shattered my pre-conceptions about house brand cigars and in doing so, opened up new avenues of rewarding cigar adventures. I highly recommend this delicious cigar to anyone who enjoys a fruity, herbal smoking experience, and appreciates the kind of smoothness that only a 60-gauge cigar can deliver…at a price of around $4/stick. This trip turned out to be very memorable indeed.
