Let's cut straight to the chase - the Cohiba Blue Rothschild Robusto (4.5"x50) sits at $208.62 per box of 20, making it General Cigar's gateway to the Cohiba name without Cuban price tags. This Dominican-made stick with Honduran Habano wrapper rolls up like your dependable coffee buddy - predictable but comforting. The medium-brown stick feels dense without being Churchill-heavy, its Ecuadorian Sumatra wrapper glistening with factory-fresh oil. I'd peg nicotine strength at 4/10, perfect for 45-minute smoke breaks.
The cold draw gives sweet hay. Initial puffs coat the palate with cashew butter consistency - not AJ Fernandez-level thickness but substantial for mild-medium. Pepper stays in the nose rather than throat, a polite introduction. Watch for slight canoeing if rushed, but mine self-corrected by the first ash drop.
Around the band point, earthiness emerges - think damp potting soil rather than barnyard. Retrohale brings white pepper sparkles against a vanilla backdrop. Burn line stays razor-thin when given 30-second pauses between draws. Smoke output? Moderate cloud generation - won't clear out small rooms but satisfies visually.
Entering the last inch, a cedar note surfaces like sniffing a fresh pencil. No tar buildup until nub territory, which is impressive given the compact size. Mouthfeel stays creamy rather than drying. Stopped at 22 minutes remaining when nicotine whispers started - lightweight smokers might tap out earlier.
This stick plays it safe - no bold transitions but zero offensive notes either. Construction consistency impresses - all three samples from my box burned evenly. Pairing tip: Skip the bourbon. A latte or honey-sweetened tea complements without overpowering. Perfect for herfing with casual smokers who get intimidated by full-bodied monsters.
