Cigar Review: Heritage 1492 Tradicionales Robusto

This cigar looks so nice, it’s hard not to wonder whether it can match that impression when you smoke it.

It can. And does.

This entry from Global Marketing & Distribution (GMD) is a class act from start to finish. Rolled at Hendrik Kelner Jr.’s Dominican factory, the Heritage 1492 Tradicionales is a medium-strength smoke with excellent construction and lots of flavor.

The first taste is a bit of grass-hay, not surprising given the Ecuadorian Connecticut wrapper. It diminishes throughout the first third, almost disappearing by the second half. Other flavors rise along the way. I noticed leather, nuts, and some sweetness, though never the “fresh pastries” GMD mentions in its marketing material.

The binder is from Nicaragua and the filler is a combination of U.S., Nicaraguan, and Dominican tobaccos. Construction on the three I smoked was nearly perfect, with a great draw, burn, and level of smoke.

According to GMD—a relative newcomer to the cigar world that continued to add to its portfolio this year—the finished Heritage cigars are aged a year before going to the marketplace.

The regular line has five sizes, of which the Robusto (5 x 52) sports the largest ring gauge. There are also two big Edition Especial sizes under the Heritage 1492 Tradicionales brand: a Gigante and a Bellicoso Gigante. These, said to be spicer and more intense, have a Cubra Brazil wrapper.

The Robustos I smoked were provided by GMD. This is a cigar worth seeking out, whether you’re a beginner or a long-time smoker.

At $12 for the Robusto, it’s on the higher end. I think it’s a fair price, and certainly plan to keep an eye out for more. To me, it seems the kind of cigar that is most suited to smaller vitolas; I’d be most interested in trying the half-inch shorter Rothschild.

This cigar earns a high rating of four stogies out of five.

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

–George E

photo credit: Stogie Guys