What is the best Robusto today? 21/22

[westg]

What a turn around from ERDM ...some incredible Robusto in the last few years 

[Arabian]

consistency, rich Cuban twang... I go with Partagas D4

[joeypots]

CORO and RASS

It’s got more to do with what’s smoking well at any given time for me. When Cohibas are on there are hard to beat in any vitola. D4’s, BRC, Epi #2, and JL#2  can all be fantastic, so it’s a tough choice. 

[SingleBarrel]

D4 and BRC!!

[Silverstix]

My personal favorites are BRC and JL2.  Having said that - the D4's the last couple of years have been insanely good across multiple factories....by far the best robusto as of late and there really isn't anything that's been close.  So I'll say D4 and JL2 at the moment

[Tunkat92]

9 hours ago, NSXCIGAR said:

You are not alone. Never been a fan. RASCC all day though. 

I may have to dive deeper into the RA line. Besides Regionals, I’ve only had the RASS and RAS. The profile just wasn’t for me

[SpecialK]

RASS and SLR Regio.. are the 2 I've enjoyed the most.. 

[NSXCIGAR]

8 hours ago, Tunkat92 said:

I may have to dive deeper into the RA line. Besides Regionals, I’ve only had the RASS and RAS. The profile just wasn’t for me

I've never liked the RASS and I've always liked the RASCC. I haven't been without a box for 20 years. The RAS is a little light for me. The RASCC is much more intense and fairly strong IMO. Certainly a must-try CC.

[TheDonTX]

I cant see anything this size passing up a JL2 and CORO. 

[RichUK]

JL2 and the Short Churchill for me.

I bought some aged SC from Bond Roberts and am steaming through them at a rapid rate they are that good.

[SigmundChurchill]

On 2/16/2023 at 7:24 PM, Tunkat92 said:

I was beginning to feel like I am the only one in this forum who doesn’t love RASS

Here, hold my drink….

[SigmundChurchill]

I said CoRo and PSD4, but it took me a minute to decide between the D4 and the Epi 2.  I only chose the D4 because I got tired of choosing and had to pick one, but they really tie for second place for me.

[Fugu]

D4’s on a roll for sure.

[rascalmonkey]

so glad to see RASS come back to form ca. 2020

++ so glad I was on this forum & found out about this "renaissance" - cuz I had given up on them years ago

[LizardGizmo]

2020-2022, for me:

1. RASS
1a. D4

 

[SCgarman]

RASS are much better if they have lighter colored wrappers like you typically see on D4's. Real dark wrappers tend to change flavor notes to less of my liking. Unfortunately you don't always get a choice with wrapper shade.

[BrightonCorgi]

Both the Juan Lopez and Cohiba have never had a down period.  Both were my choice.  Doesn't matter the decade; consistent fabulous cigars.  D4 and Epicure have had up's and down's over the years.  Both are great today.  Bolivar has suffer the last decade or so.

But for today, Cohiba or Juan Lopez; home runs.

[Tunkat92]

51 minutes ago, BrightonCorgi said:

Both the Juan Lopez and Cohiba have never had a down period.  Both were my choice.  Doesn't matter the decade; consistent fabulous cigars.  D4 and Epicure have had up's and down's over the years.  Both are great today.  Bolivar has suffer the last decade or so.

But for today, Cohiba or Juan Lopez; home runs.

Bolivars have suffered the last decade? I feel like they have been the most consistent and the PCs and BFFs are amazing in ‘22. I haven't had a RC from 22 to comment though. Sorry for the contradiction just amazed at the variances in palates. Thank you for your input!!

[NSXCIGAR]

10 hours ago, rascalmonkey said:

so glad to see RASS come back to form ca. 2020

As much as I dislike them I will admit the best ones I've had have been 20-22, although 90 points is about as good as they could muster. Give me a Famosos any day. 

5 hours ago, SCgarman said:

RASS are much better if they have lighter colored wrappers

Over the past 20 years I've had light, dark and everything in between and never found a decent one. I've finally given up on them completely. Recent ones are the best I've ever had and they barely crack 90 points. I'm done with them. Love RASCC and plenty of the ERs and looking forward to the RA 3. RASS and I just do not agree. 

[BrightonCorgi]

9 hours ago, Tunkat92 said:

Bolivars have suffered the last decade? I feel like they have been the most consistent and the PCs and BFFs are amazing in ‘22. I haven't had a RC from 22 to comment though. Sorry for the contradiction just amazed at the variances in palates. Thank you for your input!!

Do you have any from the late 90's or early 2000's?  The BRC (and BBF) are just shadows of their former selves.  Yes, they are consistent, at being a lower performer. 

[Fugu]

8 hours ago, NSXCIGAR said:

Over the past 20 years I've had light, dark and everything in between and never found a decent one. I've finally given up on them completely. Recent ones are the best I've ever had and they barely crack 90 points. I'm done with them. Love RASCC and plenty of the ERs and looking forward to the RA 3. RASS and I just do not agree.

Could it also possibly be related to its maturing? I find this, your dislike for them, somehow odd, as both share a lot of marca-specific similarities. I do like both, RASS as well as RASCC (like you, big fan of the latter), but while the Small Club Coronas is good to go from early on (though ageing fabulously), the Specially Selected needs some minimum time to blossom, from my experience. It can indeed be quite unexpressive when young but really begins to shine from +five years on, gaining a lot in complexity and depth. Something which I find it to share with the BPC - a waste when smoked any sooner.

That’s also why we will only really know at hindsight about the “best Robusto” of current production. 😁

[Bagman]

17 hours ago, Tunkat92 said:

Bolivars have suffered the last decade? I feel like they have been the most consistent and the PCs and BFFs are amazing in ‘22. I haven't had a RC from 22 to comment though. Sorry for the contradiction just amazed at the variances in palates. Thank you for your input!!

Don't listen to the nonsense.  Bolivar RC of late (and BFF) have been awesome.  That, plus the Famosos and JL2 have been the best for me.

[rcarlson]

16 hours ago, NSXCIGAR said:

As much as I dislike them I will admit the best ones I've had have been 20-22, although 90 points is about as good as they could muster. Give me a Famosos any day. 

Over the past 20 years I've had light, dark and everything in between and never found a decent one. I've finally given up on them completely. Recent ones are the best I've ever had and they barely crack 90 points. I'm done with them. Love RASCC and plenty of the ERs and looking forward to the RA 3. RASS and I just do not agree. 

I felt the same way. . . until recently.  I've had some killing RASS recently.  Stupid good.  

[SigmundChurchill]

46 minutes ago, rcarlson said:

I felt the same way. . . until recently.  I've had some killing RASS recently.  Stupid good.  

Are you just saying this just to get me all riled up, like I do to you when I tell you Slash is a great guitarist?

[rcarlson]

1 hour ago, SigmundChurchill said:

Are you just saying this just to get me all riled up, like I do to you when I tell you Slash is a great guitarist?

Maaaaybe.

Yngwie still sucks as bad though.