Connoisseur’s Corner: Cohiba Robusto

Cohiba Robusto

99
Punch Double Corona (1995)

Cuban double coronas are things of beauty, and this 27-year-old Punch is a prime example. It bombs the palate with big flavor from the very first puff, with notes of honeyed wood, flint, and bloody red meat. It’s so good that it’s hard to smoke slow, with a nearly effortless draw and an even burn. The finish is long, with a pleasant minerality. Balanced, rich, a true marvel.  —David Savona

96
Dunhill Atado (circa late 1980s)

It’s amazing how such a thin cigar can still produce such dense, weighty smoke, but this Atado really delivers a lot of flavor, with warm layers of roasted chestnut, nutmeg and almond. Some woodiness is to be expected, as it’s spent more than three decades in a slide-lid cabinet. The smoke has the creamy texture of a cappuccino, and about halfway through, it starts to taste like one too. —Gregory Mottola

95
Montecristo Robusto Edición Limitada (2000)

This cigar has evolved beautifully. It was from the first release of Limitadas (there were four that year), and the heavy, dark wrapper gave it some early harshness. But today, this cigar has completely evened out with a solid core of espresso coffee and dark chocolate flavors, and a nice, sweet core of cedar wood that lingers on the long finish. Lots of life left. —Gordon Mott