Blind Review: Emilio La Musa Robusto LE 2020
I was generally unfamiliar with Emilio Cigars until I heard that Black Label Trading Co was taking over Emilio’s branding and marketing. Under Black Label Trading Co, I think the packaging is more artistic, vibrant and attractive on the shelf. Admittedly I hadn’t smoked anything from the brand even with the change up as it was one of the cigars that hadn’t been in the forefront for me… until now. Without knowing, this was my first Emilio Cigar in the La Musa Limited Edition 2020 Robusto.
Blend Specifics
- Cigar Reviewed: Emilio La Musa Robusto (2020)
- Wrapper: Nicaraguan Habano
- Binder: Nicaraguan Habano
- Filler: Nicaraguan
- Size: 5”x 50 (Robusto)
Appearance & Construction
This is a boxed pressed cigar with a mocha colored wrapper and a slightly rounded head. The outer texture is smooth and oily with few veins and appears rather slick. Squeezing the cigar there is a sponginess to it with sufficient tobaccos in the filler. The foot smells of cocoa, spices and cedar.
Flavor & Smoke Characteristics
My Lamborghini guillotine cutter clips a sharp straight slice which leaves the cigar nice and open. Taking a dry draw, there’s a tingling of spice and some mustiness. Using my Xikar lighter, I light up and the first few puffs are charry, spicy and gritty. Notes of graphite come through along with black pepper that is rather strong. There is some hay and barnyard as well and the same flavors are mirrored on the retrohale. To start, this cigar definitely has some rough patches that are not pleasing or harmonious.
By midway, some tobacco on the head comes loose and starts falling out, and there’s a burnt and bitter character as the smoke continues along with a wavy burn line. A few minutes later, the cigar gives off vegetal notes that became short and sharp on the palate. As the cigar progresses, the ash becomes flaky and falls off unexpectedly (no points for construction there!). With another retrohale some sweetness appears along with chocolate and black pepper that quickly fades. Unfortunately, the loose filler tobaccos at the head continue to fall out a bit even the though the cut was initially clean.
In the final third, a sour note kicks in along with a bitterness that coats the sides of the mouth and obscures the other tastes in the profile. The body is a consistent medium and the pepper and spices return followed by a syrupy sweetness that’s cloying rather than subtle. As I attempt to savor the last few puffs I’m greeted once again by a rougher profile of grit and earth that leaves my palate saturated for the evening. A tough cigar to smoke.
Conclusion
I was unfamiliar with the Emilio Cigars brand and this cigar was certainly a poor introduction. The Emilio La Musa Robusto LE 2020 delivered a gritty, rough profile which was difficult to enjoy. The bitterness, char and vegetal notes were not appealing and the sweet and peppery flavors were overwhelming rather than complimentary. The loose filler tobaccos at the head did not demonstrate quality control in the bunching and says something of the craftsmanship. I would not write off trying another smoke in the Emilio Cigars portfolio, but I would suggest passing on the La Musa LE 2020.