I have to do a better job of noting where I get some of my cigars, like today’s focus the Casa Robles – A Knights Tale. It has been in my humidor for a while and the other day I was rotating things and it just seemed to attract my eye with its oily dark brown wrapper and bold yellow lion graphic on its band.
I did a little research, after the journey, to learn more about what it was I was enjoying. I came upon the company’s website which states:
“Casa Robles has been blending and rolling cigars since 2002. We pride ourselves in searching around the world for the best aged tobacco leaves and producing the best cigar smoking experience you can have.“
The company is owned by Gabriel Robles, CEO & Master Blender and is based out of Puerto Rico.
Based on what I learned, the Casa Robles – A Knights Tale is expressed in two different vitolas:
- Toro (6 x 50) – MSRP $14.95
- Torpedo (6 x 52) – MSRP $15.95
The company’s website actually has these fairly well discounted, in fact the torpedo is listed on the site, as of this writing, for $9.59, when purchased as a 5-pack – a great deal. They also come packaged in 28-count boxes.
The company describes the blend as:
- Wrapper – Connecticut Broadleaf Maduro
- Binder – Undisclosed
- Filler – Honduran and Nicaraguan
For this review, I sampled 2 of the Casa Robles – A Knights Tale Torpedos
Pre-Light Examination
The Casa Robles – A Knights Tale sports a dark dark brown (almost black) oily wrapper that exhibits some noticeable veins throughout the wrapper leaf. The cigar is quite solid to the touch, with no soft spots or give from head to foot.
As noted, it is adorned with a single band that uses a white, black and yellow motif. A royal lion is presented front and center on the band, colored in bright yellow. The name “A Knights Tale” is printed on the side along with the company name “Casa Robles”
Running the barrel along the nose, I detected a rather floral aroma and the foot graced the nasals with notes of floral and earth.
I sliced the tip of the cigar with my CigarMedics Baller cutter (yes it can be used for a torpedo too) and proceeded to give it some cold raw puffs. I found the draw to be just fine with restriction and offered a complex array of notes including a very gentle spice along with natural tobacco sweetness and a touch floral and earth.
Using my double flame torch, I warmed the foot gently and brought it to an even orange glow as I drew in the first puffs of spice and fruity citrus notes. Follow along as I burn this one to ash.
Cigar Review Notes
- Initial light offers spice and fruity citrus notes to start the journey
- Floral notes add to the mix early
- Light grey ash forms on top of a wavy thin char line
- Espresso notes begin to build in the background
- Ash fell in a decent chunk revealing a decent ash cone
- Fruity floral notes keep the profile bright
- Touch of leather joins the mix
- Cream and mild spice notes enter midway
- Continued citrus remains in the core of the smoke
- Espresso tones down to more of a creamy coffee in the final
- Strength hits medium – full
- Total Smoking Time was 1 hour and 50 minutes
Final Analysis
I found the Casa Robles – A Knights Tale Torpedo to pleasant broadleaf cigar that offered a fine array of flow, fruit, and espresso notes. Though not overly complex, I liked how it started rather bold and then eased back as it burned through the journey. As much as I liked the early espresso notes, I enjoyed the creamy coffee notes late in the burn. This is certainly one I would suggest picking up a fiver and you too may be as surprised with the blend as I was. I rate this a 94.
Point Deductions: (-1) Wavy Burn
Bonus Points: (+1) Consistent across multiple samples
