Autumn & Nica Rustica Cigars Are Perfect Combo

This cool and rainy September afternoon reminded me of the best side of Autumn - rustic beauty, brown leaves falling and slight musty smell of the season. It's also the day I met my new afternoon luvr. It was unexpected. I didn't really know what I was looking for when this dark and lovely looker caught my eye at Carmine's Cigar Lounge in Staten Island. 

Not my usual type ... he had a rustic, carefree, and bold look. But I knew the moment I picked him up and breathed in deeply that I could fall for him. And OH did I ever.

Nica Rustica, made by Drew Estate, has an unrefined Connecticut Broadleaf wrapper with a Mexican San Andreas binder and Nicaraguan (Esteli & Jalapa) fillers. Dark and robust, this medium to full strength cigar presents with pigtail cap and 6 inches x 52 ring gauge that fits perfectly between my lips. Cost? $12

Not in looks, but more in flavor & profiles, the Nica Rustica reminded me of Undercrown and Liga Privada.  Delicious preview of rich flavors during the pre-lit draw was earth & cocoa. Upon lighting, the Nica Rustica  kept a terrific burn line, slightly flakey ash, with tremendous smoke output. 

Once I had my hand on him I just knew we were meant for each other. Upon lighting, I drew in the rich tobacco, savoring the first delicious puffs. Full of flavors, my new cigar luvr teased my palate first with unsweetened cocoa and wood, then opening up with black pepper that balanced the taste. Not as dense as No.9 or as sweet as I find the Undercrown can be, the Nica Rustica is consistently good. He slowly released a tasty goodness making me want him all the more. What girl doesn't like to be teased with treats and goodies? With Nica around, who can even think of another cigar luvr ... I only want him. 

Nica builds with potency ... He's robust, but gentle and oh so fulfilling.  Midway through our encounter, his earthy flavors develop into a slightly sweet tobacco taste. The final third rounds out with a touch of smokey BBQ wood flavor and I just knew I don't want my date with Nica to end. 

Sitting back in my chair, Nica in hand, I can't take my eyes off this delicious new luvr who caught my attention and held me fast for about an hour and twenty minutes. Even when it was over, my thoughts went back to Nica and our relaxing, flavorful afternoon together. Believe me when I say I'll be adding him to my rotation of cigar luvrs.

Nica ... yeah... he stays on my mind. 

Looking forward to hearing your thoughts on the Nica Rustica.

For more information about the Drew Estate Nica Rustica Cigar go to  http://www.DrewEstate.com

Wishing you long ashes -- The Robusto Cigar Babe

chat with me on Twitter: @RobustoBabe
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Creamy? Absolutely! The La Careme by The Crowned Heads Gives It All

Sometimes simple, plain and elegant cigar bands can appeal to the cigar smoker and in the case of the La Careme, it worked perfectly for me. In fact, the name is sexy. I was attracted to the look of this cigar long before anyone mentioned a word about it online.

The Look of the La Careme is very impressive. The dark brown wrapper has very few small veins and the box-pressed feel of the cigar, fits very nicely in my hand. It feels velvety and sleek. The simple band looks elegant sitting upon the dark Connecticut Broadleaf wrapper. 

The Scent of the wrapper has cocoa, earth, and tobacco. 

This is one of my favorite parts of the cigar review experience. The Cold Draw yields a sweet chocolate and spice on my lips. 

The First Third starts off with a blast of Black pepper. The spice is very prominent and is joined by a strong earthiness. 

Ten minutes in and the pepper is fading with a dark coffee flavor joining with cedar wood balancing out the profile. A few more puffs in and a creamy cashew nuttiness has joined adding a little sweetness and cocoa to the profile

It could be the chilly breeze but the ash is flakey and the cigar is very smoky. Pepper and wood have moved into the background with the sweet chocolate and cream tantalizing my palate.  Several minutes go by and the consistent flavors in this First Third are Cocoa, vanilla, cream, wood and pepper. This is one very smooth and delicious cigar.

Into the Second Third, the cocoa and coffee are prominent for a while and then a smoky molasses sweetness comes into the profile with an earthy balance and spice. The coffee then moves to the finish and the creaminess is very welcome and delicious. 

The creaminess carries well into the Last Third with chocolate balancing the cigar out beautifully. Later into the middle of the Last Third, the earthiness, spice and wood pick up till they are prominent in the profile. The cigar finishes off with a lovely vanilla latte flavor that makes it very hard to put down. 

Absolutely luscious and delicious! I always keep this cigar in my regular rotation. The Robusto size has more spice and the larger vitolas have more cream and chocolate but all are fabulous. 

Wishing You All Long Ashes ...

Robusto Cigar Babe

@RobustoBabe