Stogie Reviews: La Floridita Gold Robusto

La Floridita is a Famous Smoke Shop exclusive that, according to a company representative, “has been performing very well for us. The name is well recognized by our customers as an outstanding value for their money.”

Given the success of the established La Floridita lines, including the Fuerte (Habano viso wrapper) and the Limited Edition (mata fina wrapper), it was a “logical line extension” to release a version with an Ecuadorian Connecticut wrapper. Hence La Floridita Gold, which was introduced in March.

This blend comes complete with a Honduran binder and long-filler tobaccos from Nicaragua and Honduras. Like its brethren, it’s made by Nestor Plasencia and priced to move.

The Robusto (5 x 50), one of three traditional sizes, sells for $80 for a box of 20, $16 for a 5-pack, or $5.25 for a single.

This cigar doesn’t come at a super-premium price, and it certainly doesn’t make a super-premium first impression. But it also doesn’t look half bad, either. The exterior leaf has moderate oils and minimal veins, the feel is firm from head to foot, and the pre-light aroma is of honey and almond.

Once lit, the initial flavor is somewhat grassy with a base of cream, cashew, hay, and vanilla. The overall effect is mild with a taste akin to coffee with hazelnut creamer. While not complex, the profile is nice for the price.

If I were one to complain, I’d say the Gold Robusto tastes a bit green at this point. I’d be interested to see how it develops after a few months, or even after a year. Even so, today it tastes pretty good for such an inexpensive smoke.

That value is further illustrated by the combustion qualities, which are exceptional. The burn line is straight as they come, the white ash holds sturdily off the foot, and the draw is just about perfect. I wouldn’t expect anything less from Plasencia.

In full disclosure, Famous Smoke Shop did furnish the five Robustos I smoked for this review. But I always judge a cigar on its merits—presentation, aroma, flavor, complexity, construction, etc. In this case, the merits of the La Floridita Gold earn it a rating of three and a half stogies out of five.

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

–Patrick A

photo credit: Stogie Guys