Cigar Extra: Roberto Duran Premium Cigars

Duran1Vitola: Tainos
Size: 6” x 56 ring gauge
MSRP ~$11
Review samples provided by company

Background

Sometimes time just takes time…or something like that. Leaf Enthusiast was contacted back in September about trying out the new Roberto P. Duran Premium Cigars release. Because of my extra-busy schedule and full review roster I declined but indicated that the other guys on the blog might want to try them out. Jon posted his take on them HERE. When the marketing rep for Duran got back to me, he said he still wanted me to try them so he sent me out a few samples in late November and I decided to put this on the schedule…and “end of year” and new contributors (plus my schedule getting even busier than it was before!) got this pushed out to January. And here we are…

A couple things got my attention when doing some background on this cigar. First is the makeup of the stick: Ecuadorian Habana Criollo wrapper, Nicaraguan binder and fillers from “Nicaragua and other Latin American” countries. I know some companies feel like they need to keep trade secrets, but with the vast range of tobaccos that can come from any one country—all subject to variations in region, farm, rainfall, farming techniques, harvesting time, curing, fermentation, aging—it’s virtually impossible for someone to “steal” a blend. Yes, they can use their knowledge to try to replicate it, but there are just too many factors in play to do much more.

The other thing I noticed was the range of sizes: four vitolas, all 52 ring gauge or bigger, up to 60 ring gauge…just 2 “rings” difference in each one…hell, 3 of the 4 are all 6 inches in length. I saw a similar practice with the Joya Red by Joya de Nicaragua…all the sizes very close to each other. To me, it ends up being hard to tell the difference (visually or in smoking experience) from one size to the next without a score card. I had this conversation with another Leaf Enthusiast reviewer a couple weeks ago…if you were going to start your own cigar line, and were going with 4 initial vitolas, what would you choose? For the sake of my own palate as well as the marketplace, I would choose Robusto, Corona, Belicoso, and Gigante (6×60). That way each one is markedly different from the others…they look obviously different, they smoke differently…and if the line is a success, then go back to fill in the gaps with Toro, Corona Gorda, Churchill, Lancero. Anyway, just thinking out loud.

Notes

I think the overall band design is good, although the exact colors didn’t do much for me…it’s just the blue somehow didn’t look right to me. Meh, personal choice, I guess. Judging from the photos on the website, the boxes and bands all work together well.

The wrapper leaf seemed to be a fairly standard Ecuadorian Habano-type leaf…dark gold in color, with some oiliness to the touch and a combination of sweet hay and ripe earth on the nose.The foot had more of the ripe earthiness to it.

After lightup, what I got most from the Roberto P. Duran was a solid mix of earth and cedar. I got a decent amount of pepper spice on the back of the palate and on the nose, but just a touch of sweetness. It was an interesting profile, though a bit harsh on the throat.

Through 2/3 of the cigar, the flavor didn’t change up much. I still got some earth, but more cedar, with the addition of some grassy and citrus notes, and the pepper tapered off a bit. It wasn’t bad, but it wasn’t all that exciting, either, which is something that would be nice at this price point.

In the end I just didn’t find the Roberto Duran Premium to be all that memorable or compelling for my palate. Not that it’s necessarily a “bad” cigar…it just didn’t make my taste buds sit up and take notice. I would have liked to see if a smaller ring gauge size (my normal preference) would have made a difference, but the samples they sent were all fairly big, and in fact, the smallest size they make is a 52 ring gauge. I know the trend in retail is for larger cigars to sell well, but I simply don’t understand the thought process that says “we’re going to only have sizes that used to be considered ‘big.'” A broader range of sizes would be more welcoming to more smokers…a Corona or Corona Gorda, a Robusto, a 54 ring Double-Toro, and maybe a Gigante. That way, everyone gets something they are likely to enjoy.

David Jones

David has been smoking premium cigars since 2001. He is co-founder and editor-in-chief of Leaf Enthusiast. He worked as a full-time retail tobacconist for over 4 years at Burns Tobacconist in Chattanooga, TN. Currently he works full-time as a graphic designer for ClearBox Strategies, also based in Chattanooga.

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11 Responses

  1. bob langmaid says:

    Great review again. I hope the big gauge trend tapers off… great point about size difference. Would like to see more brands offer something different, even though I seem to enjoy a 52!!!

  2. Mark VanSledright says:

    Good write-up. I think these cigars need a little age. I agree with the rg discussion. I always look for a Corona Gorda first and resort to robustos if there is nothing smaller. I am hoping the big rg trend hits its heyday soon.

  3. Texican says:

    It is strange to me to see the ring gauges getting so big, & I’ve only been at this for a year.

  4. dale427 says:

    Wasn’t he a boxer? No mas!

  5. Tim says:

    Funny how Texican and I were just talking about this today. I’m not a fan of the big RG. It just takes away from the flavors for me and I agree with Bob that it should just fade out already. Thank for the insight on this Roberto Duran cigar Dave.

  6. czerbe says:

    I have heard more or less the same from other people who have smoked this cigar… its just mehhhh.. I do like the band and the look of the cigar but With a name like Duran you would think the Cigar would have a little “Punch” Sorry sorry bad joke 🙂

  7. BMP Aaron says:

    I think the vitola really matters in this cigar. I really enjoy the La Punta vitola.

  8. Lloyd L. says:

    I agree with your idea of offering up vitolas that are distinctly different. I also prefer smaller RG’s and tend to shy away from anything larger than a 52 RG.

  9. Miguel Rocha says:

    I’ve heard mixed things about this line. I am thinking maybe a good beginner cigar!

  10. Christopher Brose says:

    I agree about the sizes. For those that like smaller ring gauge or even shorter cigars, they would just be turned off the the whole line.

  11. Craig says:

    Nice write up. I am starting to learn more about tastes and ring gauges and such. When I first started smoking I automatically assumed that bigger was better, man was I completely off the Mark. Keith and I have talked about this before but I have learned and appreciated what different sizes can bring to the table. In saying that I have gotten to where I enjoy a good toro or robusto, they are my preference. These sound okay, maybe a good golf or working in the yard cigar that you don’t focus to much on and just go with it.