Wandering into my regular shop (Big Sticks Fine Cigars, in Mesa, Arizona) last week, I was surprised to see a Santiago event going on! So picked up a sample of each of their three blends (the other two: Connecticut, Maduro). Here are my brief impressions of the Santiago Habano in the robusto size (5 x 50).

Wrapper: Ecuadorean Habano
Binder: Nicaraguan
Filler: Nicaraguan and Mexican

A big punch yields a loose draw. Lighting up it starts off with a citrus brightness on the attack — or would that be a bright citrus? — Concord grape in the middle, and a mild pepper hardwood finish. After half-an-inch, the hardwood takes over, with some cedar joining in on the finish. Here, it is showing a mild-medium complexity in the medium intensity range.

In the second third, after refreshing my palate with water, the flavors clear up a bit from what was becoming a flat hardwood. It still has that bright attack leading into a well defined hardwood. Fresh green bean makes an appearance ahead of the mild green bell pepper finish.

By the middle, it has gone completely complex vegetals with a mint-like finish. The intensity is now full.

In the last third, the vegetal intensity has dropped off leaving a blended, fairly non-descript profile of mild-medium intensity. Generally, hardwood with a menthol finish.

Summary

This Santiago Habano robusto maintained my interest with several shifts. Starting with a bright attack and hardwood, through full intensity vegetal complexity, to a roll out with moderate intensity woodiness and menthol. I found this to provide a pleasant and eventful smoking experience with no appreciable nicotine effects. At $7.75, this is priced right for a nice little smoke.