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Blind Review: Emilio La Musa Robusto LE 2020

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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.

Final Rating: 80

Cigar Review: La Musa Toro

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20140318_213404

Up for a quick review tonight is La Musa, distributed by Emilio Cigars, one of my all-time favorite boutique brand popular for the AF1, AF2, Suave, and more. I could go on and on about how enjoyable I find just about every cigar in the Emilio portfolio, but let’s get to the review, right?

Blend specifics

  • Wrapper: Habano Rosado
  • Binder: Nicaragua
  • Filler: Nicaragua
  • Size: Toro (6×50)

Construction & Appearance

First off, the Habano Rosado wrapper on this cigar is truly a beauty. Great oily sheen atop a dark brown, physically flawless wrapper. After cutting the cigar using my now preferred method (thumb-nail!), I give it a try pull — the draw is medium, with slight restriction, which incidentally often-times provides for the best smoke production.

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Flavor & Smoke Characteristics

Lighting up the La Musa, I’m greeted with a deep, rich chocolate note that is somewhat similar to what I experienced on the AF blends, but with less sweetness and a bit more mustiness (a good thing). What strikes me most, however, is the physical texture of the smoke: so very smooth for a profile that also includes mild pepper and nuttiness.

As the cigar progresses into the second third, it picks up on strength and also offers a few more notes, including white pepper and some black pepper on the retrohale. And on and on into the final third, where the strength has picked up considerably and now the primary note is a heavy, fresh ground black pepper. Even up to the nub the cigar picks up more and more, which really proves a point about this cigar: it is not a boring cigar. That being said, smoke this with a drink or you’ll find your palate dried out by the end.

Conclusion

La Musa is a great cigar, and it is reflected in this review and the many high marks it has received across the cigar blogosphere. I highly recommend this cigar to anyone looking for a new experience that is both powerful and complex.

Final Grade: A

YSIDRON’S EPICUREAN CIGARS TO BE DISTRIBUTED BY EMILIO CIGARS

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December 14, 2012 — Steven Ysidron, President of Epicurean Cigars, and Gary Griffith, owner of Emilio Cigars announced today that they have entered into a joint distribution agreement.

Under the terms of the agreement Epicurean Cigars will now be shipped from the Emilio Cigars facility in Vineland, NJ and added to the portfolio of products of the Emilio Cigars sales staff.

Ysidron, formerly with Savinelli, USA, has had a long career in the industry, and is now producing his own line, Epicurean Cigars. “We are very excited to be a part of what Emilio Cigars are doing. They represent the integrity and commitment to quality boutique cigars that has long been a passion for me and my family,” said Ysidron.

Griffith reiterated: “We welcome Steve to the family, and look forward to a mutually beneficial partnership. I am fully dedicated to the mission of bringing an array of quality boutique cigars to a broader market, whether under the Emilio Cigars mark, or the mark of other equally dedicated and passionate manufacturers.”

This agreement will free Ysidron to stay focused on new product development and production oversight and allow him to expand his distribution into new markets.

Distribution will shift to the Emilio Cigars facility during the first week of January, 2013.

Press Release: Global Premium Cigars and Emilio Cigars Enter Distribution Agreement

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September 24, 2012 — Enrique Sanchez Icaza, owner of Global Premium Cigars, makers of 1502 Cigars manufactured in Esteli, Nicaragua, and Gary Griffith, owner of Emilio Cigars, announced today that they have entered into a distribution agreement. Under this arrangement Emilio Cigars sales staff will bring the 1502 cigars to market, while Sanchez Icaza will continue to focus on manufacturing and product development along with retailer support and education about the brand. Sanchez Icaza will continue to handle sales in the state of Florida as well. The cigars will be warehoused and shipped from the Emilio Cigars facility in Vineland, NJ.

“I am delighted to be able to help another boutique manufacturer benefit from our existing shipping and billing facilities, and even more happy that we were able to make this arrangement with a dear friend” said Griffith.

Sanchez Icaza added: “I am very proud and honored to have Gary carry our 1502 Cigars. He is a true friend, great entrepreneur and a great cigar guru. I am sure our business relationship will be very successful!”

Product should arrive at the Emilio Cigars warehouse within a week, and begin shipping immediately thereafter.

Press Release: Miami Cigar & Co. and Emilio Join Forces for #CHATWEETUP2012

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From our friends at Miami Cigar and Emilio:

What started last year with the inaugural Tweetup event at Burns Tobacconist (@burnstobacco99) and was put together by the hard work of David Jones (@dmjones1009) tikibaronline.com has grown into the massive event that is expected to converge on Chattanooga on August 24th and August 25th. To commemorate the united voice of cigar smokers on Twitter Emilio Cigars and Miami Cigar & Co. have joined forces to release a limited edition set.

The cedar box of 2 cigars will contain a cigars made just for this historic event. The Añoranza in a box-pressed Churchill, and the debut of La Musa Melete from Emilio cigars in the same format. These sizes will be limited to 300 boxes of 2.
Gary Griffith (@emiliocigar) states, “We are delighted to be releasing this joint project with Miami Cigar and Co., dear industry friends, on behalf of Burns Tobacconist, one of the finest retailers in the country. We chose this opportunity to release this special size of the new La Musa Melete blend, and as the first appearance of the blend on the market.”

In their second year supporting the Tweet-Up, Jason Wood (@miamicigar) VP of Miami Cigar adds, “Cigar smokers on twitter have become a driving voice in the industry. These aficionados are passionate about our craft, and we wanted to share with them something special.”

If you can’t make it to Chattanooga, you can follow the festivities via the twitter hash-tag #CHATweetup2012.