The Davidoff Yamasa Robusto (50x5") stands as a bold statement in the robusto category, priced at $21/stick or $252 per box of 12. This dominican puro features an oily Ecuadorian Habano wrapper hiding Nicaraguan fillers and Panama-grown binder leaves. I sampled one after 60 days of humidor rest - the dark wrapper glistened with visible tooth, promising complexity.
First Third: Immediate black pepper zing subsides into raisin sweetness. Draw opens up after 1cm, releasing cedar notes with faint mineral undertones from the Yamasa binder.
Middle Third: Creaminess emerges - think cappuccino foam layered over roasted almonds. Smoke output increases noticeably, requiring slower draws to manage warmth.
Final Third: Earthy base dominates as leather and damp soil notes appear. Despite perfect burn line, nicotine strength builds rapidly - inexperienced smokers might bail before nub.
The Yamasa magic comes from Panama's mineral-rich soil in Herrera province. Combined with Dominican Volado leaves and Nicaraguan Ligero, it achieves what most global blends miss - soil character actually detectable in smoke. The Dominican Olor binder acts as flavor conductor rather than mere combustion agent.
