Blind Cigar Review: Padilla | Dominus Robusto
Blind Cigar Review: Padilla | Dominus Robusto

Blind Cigar Review: Padilla | Dominus Robusto

Vital Stats:

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.

Vitola: Robusto 
Length: 5″
Ring Gauge: 50 
Country of Origin: Honduras 
Wrapper: Nicaraguan Cuban-seed Corojo 06 
Binder: Nicaragua 
Filler: Nicaragua 
Factory: Tabacalera Tropical 
Blender: Ernesto Padilla 
Number of reviewers: 5 Brian (B-daddy) Derek (lilninjabuddy) Craig (WyldKnyght) Robert (NavyPiper) Jason (bigslowrock)
Price: $8.00 
Age: 1 year 1 month 
Contributed by: Will (Dubv23) 

Initial Impressions

Appearance: 92

“This was a very good looking robusto size cigar. It had a nice dark oily chocolate colored wrapper, nice, firm and spongy feel to it. Some small veins. Overall a very nice looking cigar. ” –Craig (WyldKnyght)

Aroma: 91

Blind Cigar Review: Padilla | Dominus Robusto
“Barnyard, some espresso and chocolate; and a touch of hay.” –Derek (lilninjabuddy)

Construction: 91

“Very solid construction, very firm, no soft spots, perfect cap well rounded. A couple of veins on the underside of the wrapper.” –Robert (NavyPiper)

First Third

Flavor: 91

Blind Cigar Review: Padilla | Dominus Robusto

Strength: Medium-Strong
Body/Complexity: Medium-Full

“First couple puffs are very inviting tobacco flavor with a touch of sweetness.  As I get into the first third, its a mixture of nutmeg, tobacco and sweet creaminess.  Pepper seems to come and go with each puff.” –Jason (bigslowrock)

“Starts out with peppery spice and spicy pepper. Draw is feathery light, very airy. Initial flavors are a hint of dark bitter chocolate, wood and what can only be described as dried dark cherry. At a half inch in, pepper begins to get harsh, and burns the back of the throat. However, at an inch in things smooth out, and the spice lingers on the palate only, and is quite nice. Wood becomes dominant; dark chocolate and the dried cherry recede to the background. I’m surprised at how much difference a half inch makes. Produces nice amounts of smoke on the draw. Very reminiscent of Fuente maduros, though not as well balanced.” –Derek (lilninjabuddy)

Second Third

Flavor: 91

Blind Cigar Review: Padilla | Dominus Robusto

Strength: Medium-Strong
Body/Complexity: Medium-Full

“Pepper is still primary flavor, and still has the strong black coffee with the hints of dark chocolate. Part way into this third, began getting a flavor of dried fruit, maybe cherries? It was dang good! Bolder stronger strength and body in this third! Wowzers I’m diggin’ it!” –Robert (NavyPiper)
“Flavors in the second third turn mostly bitter, like burnt wood/charcoal.  The smoke volume drops off in this third and it no longer has a rich mouth feel. This third is entirely one dimensional and not very pleasant.  Strength and body have backed-off. ” –Brian (B-daddy)

Final Third

Flavor: 89

Blind Cigar Review: Padilla | Dominus Robusto

Strength: Strong
Body/Complexity: Medium

“The spice mellowed a bit, but not much, still lots of creamy smoke. The chemical flavor I tasted in the second third was gone. I had to use my light to touch up the burn as it was getting pretty bad. Once I touched it up the burn was pretty even until the end. Definitely got a big “nic” kick by the end of this cigar.” –Craig (WyldKnyght)

“This third was an interesting change. Pepper was still there, but the other flavors just sorta faded out… Still good, but missed the additional flavors in the other thirds…” –Robert (NavyPiper)

Overall Impressions

Draw: 92

Blind Cigar Review: Padilla | Dominus Robusto
“Great draw no issues at all with it.” –Craig (WyldKnyght)

“Draw was snug but not problematic.  Not a bad amount of resistance.  Did get hot pretty early though.” –Brian (B-daddy)

Burn: 85

“As noted earlier, the cigar died once, and I was aware that I had to puff more frequently than should be expected to keep the cigar lit. The slight under-packing of the stick caused a bit of tunneling, though nothing too dramatic, but it did burn a bit hot and a bit harsh.” –Derek (lilninjabuddy)

Overall Experience: 90
Overall Strength: Strong
Overall Body: Medium-Full

“Overall, this was a decent stick, but nothing mind-blowing. If the entire cigar had been like the middle third sans relight, I would push the rating into the “very good” category. Unfortunately, the few problems that were there were enough to lower the score to just “good.” –Derek (lilninjabuddy)
“If I didn’t have the re-lighting issues, this would’ve been a 93 at least. Very enjoyable stick! The final third flavors were kind of a let down, but may have been due to keeping it going, I don’t know…” –Robert (NavyPiper)
“Despite the work to keep the burn going, I enjoyed this sticks flavors and could easily see me returning to smoke it again in the future, especially in a smaller format.” –Jason (bigslowrock)

Smoking Time (in minutes): 79

Total Score: 90 (very good)

Blind Cigar Review: Padilla | Dominus Robusto