Stogie Reviews: Brioso Robusto
20 Aug 2009
The trend at this year’s IPCPR Trade Show, if there was just one, was affordable smokes, and Brioso certainly fits that bill. The blend was introduced by General Cigar at this year’s showin New Orleans and will be available soon for around $3-4.
As explained to us at the convention, General Cigar took many measures keep this cigar in that affordable price range, including giving their blenders a mandate to keep the cigar under $4. While they were careful to say that Brioso isn’t a “bundle cigar,” it does come in a display case, rather than a box, which can then be refilled with unboxed (some might call them bundled) smokes. The name, we were told, was picked from the many unused names that General Cigar owns; it means “lively and spirited” in Spanish.
As for the cigar itself, it features a Honduran Jamastran wrapper, a Connecticut habano binder, and a blend of Dominican, Nicaraguan, and four types of Mexican filler tobacco. The wrapper, framed by a rather simple band, has a slightly dry appearance, but its deep brown color is inviting.
Once lit, Brioso has a combination of earth and warm tobacco flavors. It is rather simplistic and medium-bodied. Occasionally the cigar has a somewhat unpleasant damp flavor that detracts from the otherwise enjoyable, if uncomplicated, profile.
As I’ve come to expect from General Cigar’s products, the construction is superb. The draw has just the right amount of resistance, the burn is even, and the ash is stable enough to last an inch at a time.
All it all, Brioso is a cigar that will compete nicely with similarly priced sticks. But if your expectations are too high you’ll be disappointed. I suspect company representatives would admit that you won’t be mistaking Brioso for the deep powerful flavors of a Punch or even the complexity of La Gloria Cubana (both also made by General Cigar).
Still, Brioso is serviceable cigar at a good price that I’d be glad to smoke on the golf course, or give to a friend who doesn’t yet have the palate to fully enjoy something with more complexity. In the end, that combination earns the Brioso Robusto three stogies out of five.
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photo credit: Stogie Guys
Patrick Ashby
Co-Founder & Editor in Chief
Patrick Semmens
Co-Founder & Publisher
George Edmonson
Tampa Bureau Chief
Paid $2.69 for the Brioso Rubusto. Slightly tight draw but tolerable. Medium strength with a leathery feel in the mouth. Reminded me of a weak Partagas. I hope my next one is as good. A steal for the price. Highly recommend.
Enjoyed my second Brioso Robusto. Near perfect draw but took a few puffs to work out some harshness. The remainder of the smoke was quite good, again with leathery tones. As with the first cigar this one smoked down to one inch. If I had a toothpick I would have continued. Judging by the poor reviews toward the Brioso line, I'm not expecting my luck to last. Is it possible General Cigar made an adjustment to the blend based on the deludge of negative reviews? If the next few cigars are as good as the first two, I'll buy out the remaining stock.
As far as a $3 dollar smoke is concern,I have limited complaints if any @ all. I've bought several and only 1 as taken a "crap on me.
"It is what it is.