Blind Cigar Review: CZ Cigars | Indie Robusto
Blind Cigar Review: CZ Cigars | Indie Robusto

Vital Stats:

Vitola: Robusto
Length: 5″
Ring Gauge: 52
Country of Origin: Nicaragua
Wrapper: Sumatra
Binder: Nicaragua
Filler: Nicaragua
Factory: Segovia
Blender: Unknown
Number of reviewers: 8 —– Sandeep (Djangos) Craig (WyldKnyght) Robert (NavyPiper) Ron (shuckins) Brian (B-daddy) Derek (StogieNinja) Milton (mjohnsoniii) Will (Dubv23)
Price: $5.00
Age: 3 months
Release Date: June 2013
Contributed by: CZ Cigars

This cigar was reviewed blind (no bands) by a panel of at least 4 reviewers. They did not know what they were smoking beforehand. The scores are an average of all the reviewers' scores with outliers removed. All of our cigars reviewed are shipped to the panelists with Boveda packs to ensure optimal smoking experience.

Cigar Info

Blind Cigar Review: CZ Cigars | Indie Robusto
CZ (Core Zero) Cigars

CZ (Core Zero) is a new, Colorado-based Cigar company that we met at IPCPR 2013 as well as the Rocky Mountain Cigar Festival. They are a group of current and former Law Enforcement and Military personal. They offer discounts to those serving in law enforcement and military and contribute to Cigars for Warriors.

From Manufacturer: “A subtle and understated smoke, the Indie has a Sumatran wrapper that brings an amazing flavor profile matched with a very mild strength/body. The Indie starts out with a great appearance, then moves on to an excellent draw and mellow pre light aroma.   As it begs to be fired up you can sample the rich aromas of the beginning light before sampling it’s awesome flavor. We hope our efforts in creating this mild, “everyday smoke”, blend will impress you. As you take in the well-rounded flavor and admire the consistent burn we hope our dedication to quality and an exceptional product are obvious. The Indie is available in three sizes: Robusto (5×52), Toro (6×52) and the Sesenta (6×60)

CZ Cigars is a company that is founded by current and former members of the Law Enforcement community as well as the Military.  As such we have a profound respect and appreciation for those who serve.  We are proud to support and assist currently serving members of the cigar community with special price points as a thank you for your service.  Please email us with the details of your service and we will extend you the Service Price Point that you can take advantage of as often as you’d like.  Once again thank you for both your service and your patronage of CZ Cigars!  We look forward to a long lasting relationship!”

Initial Impressions

Blind Cigar Review: CZ Cigars | Indie Robusto
Blind Cigar Review: CZ Cigars | Indie Robusto

Appearance: 90

“This nice robusto (5X52) sized cigar looks nice. Some small veins, but barely noticeable. A medium to dark brown, oily wrapper.” –Craig (WyldKnyght)

Aroma: 90

“Mostly coffee, espresso and chocolate predominate. Some earthy flavors are definitely present in the background. Dry puff however is more earthy and with some pepper to the back of the throat. Some other spices are also present that I cannot immediately place.” –Sandeep (Djangos)

Construction: 91

“Nice round roll with a firm feel. Topped with a double cap that once cut presented a smooth draw.” –Will (Dubv23)

First Third

Blind Cigar Review: CZ Cigars | Indie Robusto
Blind Cigar Review: CZ Cigars | Indie Robusto

Flavor: 89
Strength: Mild-Medium
Body/Complexity: Light-Medium

“The cigar starts off with a smooth creamy cedar flavor that has a splash of nutmeg in it. A little earthiness joined in after a few puffs, along with a hint of leather before the nutmeg picked up a peppery taste at the end of the first third.” –Ron (shuckins)

“The first third begins with a blast of sweet, creamy wood, clove and nutmeg spices, and just a hint of graham cracker. So far this is a very nice, pleasant cigar. At about the one-inch mark, a slight harshness has crept in. I’m hoping it goes away, and purging seems to help. The dry wood and graham cracker have increased, but the clove and nutmeg sweetness remain at the front.” –Derek (StogieNinja)

Second Third

Blind Cigar Review: CZ Cigars | Indie Robusto
Blind Cigar Review: CZ Cigars | Indie Robusto

Flavor: 87
Strength: Medium
Body/Complexity: Light-Medium

“A taste of coffee has joined the leather as the nutmeg and cedar fade a bit, letting more pepper and earthy flavors in. It still has a pleasant creaminess though, which I do enjoy.” –Ron (shuckins)

“In the second third I’m getting some heavier tobacco flavors and coffee. There’s still some sweetness but it’s out competed by dark tobacco, coffee and leather. The spice is increasing too. There’s some black pepper on the finish and I still have that spicy tingle going on on my lips. Right as the burn line hits the crack in the wrapper, the ash starts to flower and split and the flavors become burnt and ashy. Pretty unfortunate.” –Brian (B-daddy)

Final Third

Blind Cigar Review: CZ Cigars | Indie Robusto
Blind Cigar Review: CZ Cigars | Indie Robusto

Flavor: 88
Strength: Medium
Body/Complexity: Medium

“Not a lot of change in the final third. One moment it’s sourness, and the next it’s nutmeg, cloves, graham cracker and sweet cedar. When it’s “on” it’s quite nice. Unfortunately it’s not “on” nearly enough, and the sourness/bitterness/harshness seems to take the forefront most of the time. I didn’t nub this one.” –Derek (StogieNinja)

“There’s a lot of creamy smoke billowing now. I’m getting coffee and dates along with hints of raw leather and pie crust. As the smoke hit the back of the throat, it gave off a thickness. This lasted for the better part of the final third and eventually smoothed out to a smooth buttery taste.” –Milton (mjohnsoniii)

Overall Impressions

Draw: 91

“Draw begins nicely, if just a little too restrictive. Smoke pulls through nicely and evenly. Remains decent throughout, and never tightens any further, which was fortunate.” –Derek (StogieNinja)

Burn: 91

“Very good even burn from start to finish.” –Craig (WyldKnyght)

Overall Strength: Medium
Overall Body/Complexity: Medium
Overall Experience: 87

“Overall, this was a pretty consistent, straightforward cigar with no surprises. Enjoyed the flavors, especially the sweetness.” Robert (NavyPiper)

“Good tasting, nice flavors, very enjoyable and easily recommendable.” –Ron (shuckins)

“I liked it. I’d smoke it again. I don’t think I’d seek it out but it was a good cigar. It did have a bad patch right in the middle but it was very good before and after that point.” –Brian (B-daddy)

“This was decent overall smoke, good for an afternoon on the golf course or maybe even a lunchtime smoke. I would give this a decent price tag of about $5-6 (at most) and would house a bundle of these for buddies while sitting around the poker table.” –Milton (mjohnsoniii)

Smoking Time (in minutes): 70

Total Score: 89 (Good)

Edit
Reviewer Appea-
rance
Aroma Constr. 1/3 2/3 3/3 Draw Burn Overall
Sandeep 90 92 92 88 84 81 92 92 81
Craig 90 90 90 87 86 84 82 90 84
Robert 87 87 88 88 88 88 88 88 88
Ron 94 94 94 90 90 90 95 95 90
Brian 83 91 86 90 86 89 93 91 88
Derek 83 76 91 88 86 84 91 87 85
Milton 89 92 89 89 89 90 88 92 89
Will 92 83 93 85 84 79 92 94 79
Overall 90 90 91 89 87 88 91 91 87

To view the complete scores and notes, click here

Blind Cigar Review: CZ Cigars | Indie Robusto