Initial Thoughts:
Today's cigar is one I see on sale a lot over at CigarMonster.com. So, before I jumped in to buy a box, I wanted to smoke and review the 601 Blue Label Maduro Robusto to see if I liked it.
The first thing I noticed about the 601 Maduro was its relatively low-quality wrapper. Immediate after removing the cigar from the cellophane, I had to readjust my expectations for this cigar, just based on the Nicaraguan Habano leaf used for the wrapper.
Honestly, this is one of the worst, most rugged-looking wrappers I've ever seen. Not attention was paid to how this cigar looked. There was excessive glue, knicks and cuts, light dots that looked like water spots, and even an area where it looked like another leaf had been glued onto this one.
If there ever was a budget-looking cigar, this 601 Blue Label Maduro would be it. With expectations lowered, I dove into the cigar…
After punching and torching the end, I was shocked to find flavors of grape Cool Aid. So, who knows what's about to happen.
CigarScore:
Brand: 601
Line: Blue Label
Size: 5 1/4 X 52
Cut: Punch
Light: Torch
Price: $8.00
Wrapper: Nicaraguan Habano
Binder: Nicaragua
Filler: Nicaragua
Smoke Time: 75 minutes
If you couldn't see this cigar, you might actually like it. And, the flavors are a little chemical-ish, a little green, and almost sour. This cigar seems destined for the bargain bin as a “yardgar” (yard cigar).
Final Thoughts
I did not care for the 601 Blue Label Maduro Robusto. The flavors were a little bit sour and bitter, and the visual problems were too much to ignore.
That said the visual problems didn't actually have a negative impact on the cigar smoking experience. While it's easy to say, “oh, you just got a lemon,” and I can accept that, I now question the quality control of the factory where this cigar was rolled.
With all that said, the flavors might be right up your alley, and the construction of the cigar, once it was lit, was okay. And it's because of these two caveats that the 601 Blue Label Maduro Robusto earns a CigarScore 2.
