Cigar:            Cusano 18 Robusto

Size:             50 x 5"

Country:          DR

Wrapper:          CTSH, N

Binder:           CTSH

Filler:           DR (Oro, Piloto)

Flavor Strength:  Medium

NicotineStength:  Medium

Date Received:    2005-04-17

Suspected Age:    Filler is 18 years old

Vendor/Price:     $2.60 @ CigarBid

Beverage(s):      Water

Smoke time:       1:10

Date:             2005-04-23, OTT

Posted to ASC:    2005-04-23

Overall score:    3.6/5.0

Overall:    Good construction, wonderful pre-light aroma, good draw, good smoke volume, and perfect burn throughout.  A harsh, back of the throat note persisted throughout.  Pepper in the first half.  Leathery, turning to aromatic wood with some vanilla in the last third.  Nub showed more vanilla and some cocoa in the slightly sweet finish.  Don't know how much good more ageing of 18 year old tobacco would do, but this deserves another try in a few months in warmer weather. 

Ambience:   Chilly and cloudy on the deck after a short flight to Scenic along highway 2.  Eventually the winds picked and it started raining sidewise. 

Construction:     Light colored wrapper with medium veining, triple cap, and some tooth.  Floral, honey, perfume aroma.

Cut & Prelight:   Cut well.  Good draw.  Slight bit of lip tingle and a sweet, floral draw flavor and finish.

First third:      Lit well.  Burn throughout smoke was flawless.  Good draw and a lot of smoke.  Sweet pepper in the initial puffs.  Some harshness in the back of the throat.  Sweet leather, still with a bot of pepper.  Long, sweet leathery finish. 

Second third:     Creamy smoke with some vanilla, and still some harshness. 

Third third:      Leather has turned to wood.  Still some harshness.  Nub is somewhat spicey with vanilla, and a long slightly sweet finish.  Abandoned at 1" due to inclement weather.  Long finish turned to cocoa.