Quick Smoke: Villiger 1888 Robusto

Each Saturday and Sunday we’ll post a Quick Smoke: not quite a full review, just our brief verdict on a single cigar of “buy,” “hold,” or “sell.”

The first 1888 line—Villiger’s introductory hand-made long-filler cigar—was a limited edition that hit U.S. shelves in 2009. This incarnation is made in the Dominican Republic and sports an Ecuadorian leaf over a Mexican binder and filler from the Dominican Republic and Nicaragua. The Robusto (4.9 x 50) is a mild- to medium-bodied, papery-tasting smoke with sweet cream, butter, almond, and hints of Davidoff-esque mustiness. Construction is exquisite. The asking price of about $6 is more than fair. That said, the cigar’s lack of complexity and depth renders it unworthy of a full recommendation.

Verdict = Hold.

–Patrick A

photo credit: Stogie Guys