Stogie Reviews: EO 601 Serie “Red†Robusto
10 Jan 2007
The first thing I noticed, after just a few puffs, was that my lips were going numb. In a good way.
The heat and pepper that introduce Don Pepin Garcia’s Serie 601 “Red,†a Nicaraguan puro from EO Brands, are a testament to its power. The way they quickly melt into an almost sweet taste on the tongue display the stogie’s complexity.
After about an inch, I found a warm, toasty tobacco flavor that waxed and waned through the rest of the stick. The pepper came back about halfway through, though not enough to induce numbness again.
I can only add to the nearly universal chorus of praise for this stogie – I enjoyed it immensely. Whether judging appearance, construction, performance, or taste, I found it to be a first-rate cigar.
The dark Nicaraguan Habano wrapper looks great. The draw is fine, and the ash is tight and white. The only problem I experienced came in the last third when there was some tunneling, which I was able to easily correct.
I didn’t notice how long the 601 lasted, but it seemed to burn fairly quickly. I tend to smoke slowly, and I don’t think this lasted as long as others its size. Maybe some of that, though, was how sorry I was to have to put it down.
The Robusto I smoked was a five and ½ inches by 50 ring gauge cigar with a retail price of $6.50, which is what I paid. You can save a few dollars with a box purchase of 20. There are also three longer vitolas: Churchill (7x 52), Esplendido (7 x 49), and Torpedo (6 x 52).
I wonder whether the 601 “Red†might get even better with aging, though I’m far from expert enough to know. Maybe aging comes to mind because of the cigar’s strength.
On the other hand, it seems a logical assumption that time might allow the blend’s characteristics to interchange interestingly. I plan to get more and hope I can resist them long enough to see if it makes a difference. (I’m also eager to smoke the 601 “Black,†which is said to be a bit milder.)
I heartily recommend this full-flavored cigar. I smoked it with coffee after a meal and that worked fine for me – I doubt I could handle it early in the day or on an empty stomach.
I give the EO 601 Serie “Red†Robusto by Don Pepin Garcia four out of five stogies.
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Patrick Ashby
Co-Founder & Editor in Chief
Patrick Semmens
Co-Founder & Publisher
George Edmonson
Tampa Bureau Chief
Nice review. I've had the 601 "Black" before and, yes, if the "Red" is as you've described, its counterpart is much more mild.
Which makes perfect sense. Instead of a Nicaraguan Habano wrapper, the "Black" has an Ecuadorian Connecticut.
Wow thats a sexy looking cigar! Good luck on the aging. I fail terribly whenever I attempt to age any sticks.
Smoked my first one yesterday, wow what a great cigar.
Hi George,
I'm smoking an aged 601 Red Churchill as I type. It's been resting for over a year and paired nicely with a mid-morning iced coffee (come to think of it, most everything pairs nicely with a good cup of coffee.) The stick's strength has tempered, the spice has softened and the general flavors have rounded. Thoroughly enjoyable and tamed a touch as well.
Nice review!
Thanks,
Greg