When smoked moist, straight from the tin, the cigar leaf overwhelms the other tobaccos.

If allowed to dry long enough, Robusto is a completely different experience. The Virginia dominates the first third of the bowl, and gives me a wicked tongue bite, despite the tin description above. Orientals make the middle third an exotic, flowery interlude. The cigar leaf and Latakia, in the background throughout, dominate the final third. The wrapper leaf is always present, but not overpowering.

Nicotine was evident only in the last third of the pipe, medium to strong.

I am a Virginia/VaPer/Burley man, so this kind of blend is not typical for me. I bring it out once a month when I want something exotic.

To me the cigar leaf takes a front seat in this smoke while the latakia and red virginia leaf adds both creamy and sweet highlights. It Produces a good volume of smoke on the draw and smokes to the bottom of the bowl with few if any relights. There is definitely some strength to this blend so I usually smoke it in a medium sized bowl.

A good and gratifying smoke.

The second half of the bowl is when the cigar personality really starts to come out. Slow puffing is essential so as not to dull the tongue and become overwhelmed with roasted richness. Cigar blends are now earning a spot in my collection.

I rarely touch cigars anymore. Not because the pipe is cheaper. It's because I've never tasted a cigar that tastes as good as blends like this or C&D Mississippi Mud.

That said, Robusto is the Bomb; an atomic bomb, perhaps even thermonuclear! When I smoke this I make sure I have a comfy seat, a hot mug of java and no place to be or heavy equipment to operate. This is one to be savored over time and not hurried or pushed.

Deep, thick, chewy, dark, rich, brown then black. All those and more. Now I can smoke this in an oversized pipe, but made the mistake of having my first Robusto- fest in one. It almost won that first bout.

I like it strong, hot, smokey, stout, thick, rich and powerful. This never leaves me lacking for any of those. Thank you Mr. Pease, you done damn good with this beast of smoking pleasure.

Robusto has a cigarish flavor that I enjoyed. I much prefer pipes, but from now on, this cool burning, heavy tasting blend will be my "cigar" when the urge for a stogie hits.

Thoroughly enjoyable and both of my thumbs are up.

It does have a cigar like taste to it and is fairly well mannered for it's strength. I enjoy this much more than the cigars I have tried in the past.

I would describe it as sharp and bold without being bitey. Not smooth or creamy. I pick up a lot of earthy taste and some smokiness. There is also a distinct zing that hangs on the tongue throughout the bowl and a hour or two after it is done, I believe comes from the cigar leaf. Some with a tender mouth may consider this bite but I find it to be a pleasent aftertaste.

I would reccomend this as a change of pace blend. I will smoke it but not every day or all day.

I suspect this would benefit greatly from aging as well.

Update: This is great but it is basically a cigar for the pipe to me. I smoke it on the occasion that I want a cigar flavor to my smoke. I mainly smoke the pease balkans- abingdon, caravan, and charing cross when I want a pipe.

It may be just the thing for you if you enjoy cigars and pipes.

1st fifth of the bowl: good

2nd and 3rd fifths: tolerable to bad

4th fifth: very bad

Last fifth: an indescribable nightmare

I concluded this after many attempts in different pipe materials, shapes and sizes.

It is worth a try and I will smoke it again, sometime. If you like cigars and pipes, I recommend trying a tin or two. If you don't like cigars there would be no reason to smoke this or any other similar tobacco. (Other than writing a negative review!)

Spend your money on Westminster or Caravan.