Quick Smoke: Maria Mancini Robusto Larga

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.”

Yes, there are still good-tasting cigars out there that sell for less than a latte. The next time you feel like every cigar worth smoking costs north of $10, try a Maria Mancini Robusto Larga (6 x 50). This softly box-pressed, spongy smoke—which sports a Nicaraguan Habana 2000 wrapper around a Honduran binder and Nicaraguan fillers—can be found for less than $3. While it absolutely won’t wow you, it will deliver a classic, no-frills, medium-bodied profile of cereals, coffee, cashew, leather, and a little white pepper spice. My only caution is to expect a somewhat erratic burn line (Habana 2000 is notorious for this). For the price, though, you really can’t complain.

Verdict = Buy.

–Patrick A

photo credit: Stogie Guys