Value Line 600 Robusto

(Honduras)

By Gary Korb

I was so impressed with this cigar, I couldn't believe it was being sold as a bundle; it could have easily been sold by the box. So, like finding that special great-tasting wine for under $10 a bottle, the same can be said for this tasty little, high-quality find that sells for just under $2 a stick.

Made by STC Cigar, the tabacalera that produces Guillermo Rico's excellent Gran Habano cigar lines, the Value Line No. 600 Robusto is a bit rustic in appearance, which may account for its bundle-class status. The cap was well made and popped-off nicely. The wrapper, filler and binder are all Honduran, and the cigar was also very well packed.

The cigar drew easily with a nutty pre-lit flavor. Once lit, the cigar was dominated by toasty, earthy, and sweet wood flavors laced with a note of nutmeg on the finish. The strength is mild to medium in body (depending on your palate), and perks up a bit at around the halfway mark. The burn is clean with a nice, semi-firm grey ash.

I've smoked a lot of these with my morning coffee over the past month and they've been incredibly consistent, too. The one fault I've found is, some tend to turn a little bitter in the last two inches, but most I've been able to smoke down to about an inch.

My instinct tells me these cigars are going to age-up really well. So as an experiment, I've stashed some away in my humidor, and I plan to try one of those in three months, then another in six months.

Overall, a solid, well-balanced cigar that will appeal to even the more discriminating palates out there looking for a much better than average everyday cigar.

Appearance: 7
Construction: 9
Burn: 9
Draw: 9
Aroma: 9
Flavor: 8
Final Score: 8.5