Vitola: Double Robusto- 5.5” x 56 ring gauge
- MSRP $17.50
- Samples provided by J.C. Newman
Background
J.C. Newman made a big deal about The American when it came out a few years ago…and honestly, there was good reason to make a big deal out of it. It was the first cigar—perhaps in history—that was completely and 100% American. All American-grown tobaccos, American-made cellophane, American-made boxes, American printing for labels…and the cigars are rolled in the El Reloj cigar factory in Tampa, Florida.
The first time I had this blend I have to admit to finding it fairly forgettable, though when my friend, Will Cooper, named it Cigar of the Year on his website, I was intrigued enough to try it again. He specified that the Toro size was the magic for this blend and after smoking that size, I see where he’s coming from, although it still wasn’t quite “COTY” level for me. This past month, J.C. Newman came out with a limited run of a Double Robusto of The American and sent me some samples for review.
The American is rolled with an exclusive Florida Sungrown wrapper (a leaf grown by Jeff Borysiewicz, owner of Corona Cigar Company), a Connecticut Broadleaf binder, and a blend of Connecticut Havana and Pennsylvania Mennonite filler tobaccos. This being the thickest ring gauge available for The American, they had room to put an extra leaf of Pennsylvania ligero in the filler, as well, which they claim makes this the strongest vitola.
J.C. Newman sent me three samples for this review. Today I’m smoking the third one.
Prelight
The box for The American is a understated from what I’ve seen…and I’ll admit to not having seen it in real life, just in some photos. It’s serviceable, but not ornate or spectacular. For this brand (and for their sister brand in Arturo Fuente), for a cigar to be this pricey and have this understated of a box is a little unusual. Nothing wrong with it, just making an observation. I do like the band, in the shape of a shield and decked out with American imagery like an eagle and a flag…and unusual imagery that is also somewhat American like a flowering tobacco plant (because all the tobacco is American) and a Puerto Rican flag (I missed the PR connection somewhere along the way, I guess).
The Florida Sungrown wrapper leaf was a medium brown with a hint of red in it and a decent amount of oiliness under my fingertips. It had an aroma of fresh-cut wood, earth, and natural tobacco, while the foot had more pungent earth, cedar, and hay notes.
Once clipped, The American had a very good cold draw with flavors of citrus and cedar, earth and bell pepper.
Flavor
One might assume that American tobacco would be either unsuitable for cigars (and the truth is that most of the production in this country is headed for cigarettes or pipes) or just not very bold (owing to the perception of Connecticut Shade wrapper leaf as being very mild…even though most Conny leaf is grown in Ecuador these days). The American tries to prove both notions wrong right out of the gate, with bold earth, wood, and bell pepper notes, backed up with some hay and pepper spice. There was a touch of sweetness in the mix and a touch of spicy heat, both in small, balanced measures. The retrohale had roasted almond, toasted wood, and additional pepper spice. By the end of the first third, I would call The American a “bold medium-bodied” cigar, meaning that the flavors are definitely vivid and vibrant, although the body is still in the medium range, even though this is supposed to be the strongest vitola.
As the second third was reduced to ash, I picked up a touch of citrus sweetness coming through the earth and wood profile, while the pepper spice continued on at a rather mild level.
The last third of The American had an increase in woody notes, more oak than cedar, along with underlying earth and grassiness, accented by the ever-present pepper spice and just a touch of sweetness that continued on.
Construction
I had a good draw, even enough burn line, and solid ash that got up to just over half an inch before needing to be tapped off.
Value
This is a very good cigar, but the “all-American” origins definitely come out in the price tag. I’m going to say it’s “just” worth the price of admission and remind everyone interested that if you are going to go “American made” with any product you will have to be willing to pay more.
Conclusions
The American Double Robusto is just a touch short of the goodness of the Toro vitola I had a few months ago, but still a very good cigar that is a great exemplar of how complex and dynamic American cigar tobacco can be. I wonder what would happen if they switched binder and wrapper leaves, putting a really nice Connecticut Broadleaf dark leaf on the outside…would it ramp up the sweetness and be even better? That’s an idea I’ll leave out there for “The American Maduro.” As it is, I would definitely recommend this cigar to fans of medium-bodied, full-flavored cigars.
By-The-Numbers
Prelight: 2/2
Construction: 2/2
Flavor: 4/5
Value: 1/1
Total: 9/10
