Stogie Reviews: Isla de Cuba Blend 376 Robusto Extra

At the IPCPR Darryl Liesler, the man behind Isla de Cuba, handed me one of his new cigars. Called Blend 376, Isler told me the name came about because the final product represents the 376th blend tested while the cigar was being created. While I was able to try one of the 376 cigars while in Vegas, my palate was a bit dulled from smoking cigars by the handful, so I was glad to have the opportunity to smoke a few more and publish this review just as the cigar begins hitting stores.

This Isla features a dark attractive wrapper with a slight box press. The Robusto Extra (5.5 x 50) is firm to the touch.

The cigar is wrapped with a Mexican San Andres leaf, a Nicaraguan binder, and a blend of fillers from Nicaragua, Honduras, and other “secret” Central American tobaccos. (Why the secret? I’m not sure, but two theories come to mind: Perhaps it’s an illusion to the use of Cuban tobacco, or maybe just a way to avoid naming a politically unpopular country like Venezuela. Then again, maybe it’s just secret so cigar reviewers will talk about it!)

Pre-light I find notes of peanuts. The 376 lights up easily, quickly revealing a solid white ash. The draw is deliberate but not difficult, and the ash will hold for a whole inch. Three of the four cigars I smoked for this review burned perfectly from light to nub, while the fourth required only a slight touchup.

The flavors of the Blend 376 are reminiscent to, but not the same as, the original Classic blend. The cigar is toasty with leather and lots of nut flavors—both peanut and cashew come to mind. The short finish features roast coffee, a sensation that leaves the mouth watering.

The Blend 376 is medium-bodied and well-balanced. The flavors don’t change throughout the cigar, but they are still interesting enough to keep you engaged for the entire stick. I found that the Blend 376 reminded me of one of my favorite smokes, the Padrón 1926 (incidentally also a box-pressed smoke), although the 376 isn’t quite as complex.

At around $7 apiece, it may be a stretch to call this cigar a bargain, but I certainly think it is fair price. All things considered, between well-balanced and interesting flavors, excellent physical properties, and a reasonable price, I think Isla de Cuba has a real hit with this new cigar. The Isla de Cuba Blend 376 earns the exemplary rating of four and a half out of five stogies.

[To read more StogieGuys.com cigar reviews, please click here.]

–Patrick S

photo credit: Stogie Guys