Mbombay Habano Robusto Review

Habano Robusto
Made by: Mbombay
Wrapper: Ecuadorian
Binder: Ecuadorian
Filler: Nicaraguan, Peruvian
Vitola: 4 1/2 by 50

The bands on the Mbombay cigars are always extremely eye catching. Beautiful designs on a band that covers half of the cigar in this particular vitola. A lesser known company, Mbombay is becoming known more and more. This particular blend I have visited before and the strength snuck up on me. Given that was a year ago let’s see what time has done to this cigar. And I have also prepared myself by eating a large dinner beforehand. Let’s see what this has to offer with an Mbombay Habano Robusto Review.

Prelight

This cigar has a closed foot that smells like a wide mix of pepper and a slight herbal finish. The herbs are reminiscent of clove almost a spiced apple. The cap is constructed nicely no issues. Once the outer band is removed, there are two, it reveals visible seams and medium sized veins. Lots of tooth on the wrapper, a foreshadowing of a tasty mouth feel. Quite a lumpy pack some hard and soft spots throughout. Clean cut but there is a lot of loose tobacco on the end. Lots of white and black pepper on the prelight draw with a cayenne pepper bite on the lips.

1/3

Pleasant surprise a burst of deep cocoa on the front, with a delicious marshmallow like finish of the creamy smoke from the wrapper, and a light mix of pepper notes (white pepper mostly). The tooth is doing wonders for this cigars profile. Medium to full body and low-medium strength at this point and I expect both to rise. The body has risen slowly in the first third. The cocoa note has died down and has been replaced with a woodsy mix which is oak forward. There is still a subtle white pepper finish with a cayenne pepper lip tinge as well. The creamy smoke is this blends current strong suit. The smoke production is very thick and high.

2/3

At the start of the second third the white pepper note has moved to the front of the profile and there is a dry cocoa note on the finish. The woodsy note has been mostly covered by the peppers now to the front. Very odd shift, I have to say revisiting this has been a great experience perhaps time did this cigar wonders in terms of balancing out. The ash has tons of marks from the wrappers tooth and is a reminder of the thick creaming mouth feel this blend has to offer. The flavors are playing a bit in terms of what is on the front but it is very well balanced. Full bodied now and medium strength.

3/3

As I reached the final third of this cigar which really is the nub due to its size. There was a black pepper that came up to mix with the white pepper, the dry cocoa came up further to blend with the pepper notes, and it held through the finish. Full bodied, and strength was at a high medium at the end of this for me still.

Smoke Time: 55 Minutes

Conclusion: 87

This was much more enjoyable then the first time I reviewed this cigar. Much more robust flavor wise and well structured. I would still say the strength needs to be toned down but that is a matter of personal opinion. Delicious blend, definitely a medium to full cigar with medium to full strength that builds as the cigar burns down. I would highly suggest letting this blend rest if they are fairly young. Because after that time they develop into a much more well-rounded cigar. Click on the picture to find this cigar at anthonyscigars.com