Cigar Review: Augusto Reyes Urban Robusto

Last summer marked a rebirth for Augusto Reyes, a respected cigar maker who traces his Dominican tobacco roots back six generations. It was at the 2010 industry trade show that he premiered two new lines: Signature and Sixth Generation.

Before these blends were released, Reyes had been on a hiatus following an ill-fated U.S. distribution deal for his Criollo, Epicure, Grand Cru, Nativo, and Maduro cigars. Another hiatus is unlikely to be on the horizon in 2011. This year, Reyes is once again expanding his portfolio with a new line.

Called “Urban,” the blend consists of a Nicaraguan habano wrapper, a Dominican binder, and filler tobaccos that are three parts Nicaraguan ligero and one part Dominican seco. The result, according to the Augusto Reyes website, produces “a well-balanced burn and builds character…Like its packaging, Urban has an exciting, explosive, and very rich taste.”

When it becomes available at tobacconists nationwide, Urban will be offered in six sizes: Robusto (5 x 50), Churchill (7.5 x 50), Belicoso (6 x 54), Toro (6 x 54), Gordo (6 x 58), and Lancero (6.75 x 40). Each is expected to retail in the $7-8 range.

The Robusto is a striking cigar with a colorful, eye-catching band, a clean, milk chocolate-colored wrapper, and fragrant pre-light notes of cocoa. Firm to the touch from head to foot, the cap clips neatly to reveal a clear draw.

The initial flavor isn’t as bold as I was expecting it to be—but that certainly isn’t a bad thing. The powdery profile has a nice balance of spice and sweetness with notes that remind me of caramel, nougat, cedar, and peanut. Not to be overlooked, the resting smoke yields a chocolate-like aroma.

What I really appreciate about this smoke is how it never develops a harsh or stale taste, instead keeping the base flavors at the forefront and enabling secondary notes to come and go. The midway point and the final third stay fairly consistent. That said, smoking quickly will make the Robusto hotter and spicer, and smoking slowly will make it cooler and sweeter.

I can safely say that the Urban is my favorite Augusto Reyes creation to date. The several Robustos I sampled for this review all smoked well, displaying even burn lines and well-behaved ashes, and the profile is interesting and unique enough to merit a price tag of $7. I think you’ll agree, and I award the Augusto Reyes Urban Robusto four stogies out of five.

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

–Patrick A

photo credit: Stogie Guys