Cigar Weekly

Ecuador has demonstrated an ability, through technology and climate, to replicate some of the finest wrapper in the world. An experimental crop of Cuban Corojo was harvested in 1996 and, while intended for Cuba, Michael Cusano of DomRey Cigars was fortunate enough to taste it and was impressed. DomRey Cigars purchased the entire crop (enough to wrap one million cigars) and created the Cusano Corojo - 1996 vintage. The Corojo wrapper leaf grown in Ecuador has none of the problems that are found in the Cuban (susceptibility to disease) or the Honduran grown Corojo (unreliable burn) and offers the cigar lover a wrapper to remember.

By integrating their strongest Dominican filler and binder, Cusano's Corojo is multidimensional and offers a potent, well rounded flavor. Cusano Corojo is available now in three sizes: Robusto, Toro and Churchill. The cigars are packaged 20 per box and are priced between $60.00 and $75.00 per box.

Cigar Weekly reviews are blind taste tests conducted by our readers. Reviewers are sent three samples with all identifying marks removed. Reviewers are chosen randomly from the list of everyone that has signed the Cigar Weekly Guest Book. Their comments are below.

Pre-Smoke Comments

Brian Dumas (briand): I received the cigars on 5/19 and placed them in a calibrated 70/70 humidor. They were very attractive medium brown robustos about 5 x 50-52. I resisted the urge to compare them to the cigars in my 'dors. They were of a medium texture, with some larger veins, and the surface of the cigars almost had a matte finish but with some sheen. The caps were not perfect with small imperfections. Both were firm, with little aroma. They both cut cleanly with a double guillotine cutter with no tearing. The first was cut and smoked on 5/24, the second on 5/26, both about 30 minutes after a red meat meal, no dairy dessert. Teeth brushed immediately after meal, no toothpaste. Drinking unsweetened iced tea with meal and cigars.

David Deibert (Purosdave): This cigar is wrapped in a light brown/ tan natural leaf with a few imperfections. One of the cigars' wrapper went from medium brown to tan from head to foot, this is the first cigar that I have seen with that much variation. The cigar seems well made, with a firm bunch and a perfect draw. Pre-light aroma was very subtle but encouraged me to light it up.

Douglas F. Richards Jr (dfrjr30): cigar #158 was a robusto size.Claro in color and the bunch was fim yet lumby.the wrapper looked like it was well constructed thu there was some tears in the wrapper..

Dustin Brown (DustinB): Cigar #158 is a nice looking Natural Robusto. Both samples had good to good construction, with some noticeable veins. One of the samples had a soft spot right in the middle (about an inch long). Upon cutting, the pre-draw gave just a typical tobacco taste. The draw was easy. Too easy.

Steven Jurek (Durlach_68): It looks like about 5 x 48 robusto with light to med.-brown wrapper. I construction looks good firm with no soft or loose spots. A very subtle aroma seems like it will be a mild cigar.

Todd Crandall (sevenmag): Both samples had an excellent appearance, no blemishes on the light brown wrapper, and very small veins. The wrapper was very smooth and silky but not as delicate as I thought it might be, it just didn't add any character or flavor to the overall taste. The cap was smooth, so much so I had to give it a second look to tell where the cap stopped and the wrapper started. As far as the construction went, it wasn't as hard as a piece of pipe but was a good firm roll. The pre-light draw was just right on the first sample but the second had much to easy a draw and neither gave much of a hint of what kind of smoke I might have.

Tony Faville (DocFaville): This robusto looked great, excellent construction, even foot, perfect cap, no soft spots yet not too firm. A slight oily appearance to the EMS wrapper gave it a very nice appearance. It lit easily and burned evenly with a firm light grey ash.

Smoke Comments

Brian Dumas (briand): Here is where the two cigars differed dramatically. The first cigar lit well and evenly, drew well and then began to tunnel and run. The ash was flaky and with an inch of ash, the ash split leaving a "y" shaped burning item in my hand. This was combined with a harsh metallic taste that overwhelmed everything else. I hoped this would pass and continued to have some hope for this cigar until the half way point when the wrapper began to unravel and I took pity on the dying beast and chose to carry it and the ashtray outside to die a death with some dignity. The second cigar was smoked 2 days later with some trepidation on my part. It lit well, burned evenly, drew perfectly, had a nice aroma, and then the metallic taste started again, but nothing like the first one. This time the ash held together as a firm grey mass, the coal was a nice cone, but the metallic flavor, albeit an undertone, still persisted. I did not get much flavor over the metal, and must admit it was unremarkable.

David Deibert (Purosdave): The first cigar was well-balanced and complex. Each draw provides generous amounts of smoke with a flavor that I find very difficult to describe. At best I would say that it reminds me of a honduran/dominican blend. The aftertaste and flavor on the second was not nearly as good as the first.

Douglas F. Richards Jr (dfrjr30): the cigar started out with some creamy flavors. the draw was perfect and the burn sated even.there was a touch of harshness havle wat thru this cigar while losing some of the flavor.. a hint of tobacco took over.

Dustin Brown (DustinB): Both samples lit extremely well. I'm trying a new method of lighting, that usually takes a while to get going. But these took right away. Aroma seemed 'sweet' to me (see my last review about my aroma ratings - cigar 150). Draw stiffened up a little after lighting. The first sample I smoked, had very little flavor. The second, had a very faint liking to coffee. Unfortunately, the flavor on the second one did not last long, due to the soft spot. It got hot, and rancid at the middle. These things left an aftertaste of a relit cigarette. Not good at all.

Steven Jurek (Durlach_68): The cigar started out bland and empty and sorry to say it stayed that way the entire cigar. The flavor for me was absent. The burn on the other hand was great tons of smoke about an inch and a half of med. Gray ash before tap off. For me it was a perfect draw and no re-lights.

Todd Crandall (sevenmag): My initial impression was that I had a nice medium bodied cigar on my hands, however that changed over the hour or so it took to smoke it. This was a mild to medium (closer to the mild side) cigar with a slightly sweet flavor and a hint of coffee with a nutty finish. Normally I'm not much of a mild cigar fan but this one had enough flavor to hold my interest, fairly one-dimensional though. The aroma was light and sweet smelling. The first sample burned perfectly, the second had a brief run but straightened itself out very quickly. Nice firm light gray ash, conical coal and plenty of smoke.

Tony Faville (DocFaville): I found the flavor to be quite mild with a slight hint of leather, herbs and a slight grassy taste. This leads me to believe it is a very young cigar and may have easily solved the tastes with some more time in the humidor.

Summary Comments

Brian Dumas (briand): I have to conclude that the first of my sample was a fluke and tried as much as I could not to let it ruin my impression of the second. I probably was unsuccessful in that goal. By my math, and this scale, this cigar rated above average. Had the first not been so bad and heavily metallic tasting, I might not have been as critical of the second. The cigar was an attractive cigar that I hoped would be great, instead, while I might try it again, it will not be anywhere near the top of my "must try" list.

David Deibert (Purosdave): I smoked the first cigar down to the nub, enjoying every moment. The second was not nearly as good, but overall this is a decent cigar. I would like to obtain another sample, after I figure out what it is, so that I can better judge it. If this cigar is normally like the first sample then I would definitely recommend it, but I have to score it on both experiences.

Douglas F. Richards Jr (dfrjr30): Overall this cigar wasn't too bad. i would tend to say that this cigar was on the mild side. the flavor was pronounced throughout this cigar. i probably would smoke this during the morning or early afternoon....

Dustin Brown (DustinB): Not really much to say about these. They had a couple things going for them, but once the first draw was taken, it went downhill. I wouldn't recommend these. They may be good for out on the lake, or some time when you need a smoke, but know it's going to get ruined.

Steven Jurek (Durlach_68): Overall a very well constructed cigar that burned great with lots of smoke. Unfortunately there was no real flavor of body to speak of. A mild cigar that may need some time to mature or it could be a good morning smoke. Not a cigar for me, but if you like a mild cigar you may want to give it a try...

Todd Crandall (sevenmag): Cigar 158 was a good overall smoke, excellent construction and good flavors. It was milder than my usual choices but I would definitely recommend it to any one who likes a mild to medium cigar. I may have to keep some of these around for the rare occasions I have a cigar with my morning coffee on the weekends.

Tony Faville (DocFaville): This cigar really doesn't fit into my tastes but I am sure that many people would find it enjoyable if properly stored for a while. It may well be a good cigar for new herfers to learn from.

Scores

 Review Results
Final Score: 31.4 out of 50

3 1/2 Stars -- Above Average

I would guess that most cigar smokers equate the term "Corojo" with "strong." And while some of the reviewers enjoyed this cigar enough for it to earn a respectable 3.5 Star rating, not a single reviewer described this cigar as strong. In fact, most reviewers described it as closer to mild. Some construction problems marred an otherwise beautiful looking stick. Based on the flavor discrepancies among the samples, it's possible this box was entering the "sick" period. The flavor nuances mentioned included coffee, leather and some sweetness. These are reasonably priced cigars that will only get better with age. Worth a try.