It’s Sunday, and my girlfriend’s hosting family brunch, with mimosas and laughter filling our home. She spots the Room101 Hit & Run Redux Robusto in my humidor, its label caught her eye as a cute match for her table decor. This 5 x 50 smoke, a $12 medium-full blend from Tabacalera William Ventura, feels perfect for the occasion. I’m ready to relax with my pups nearby, clip the cap, and light up with the family vibe.
Let’s see how this Robusto elevates brunch.
The Roots
What the Pros Say
Stogie Press gave the Robusto a 94, praising its dark chocolate and spice transitions. Halfwheel, reviewing the Gordo, noted creamy cedar and anise with a solid 90, suggesting the Robusto’s tighter draw enhances balance. Developing Palates scored it 88, loving the creamy wood and dark fruit start but noting less complexity later. 90
The Smoke Stats
- Name: Room101 Hit & Run Redux Robusto (2024)
- Length: 5 Inches
- Ring Gauge: 50
- Vitola: Robusto
- Wrapper: Mexican San Andrés
- Binder: Ecuador Sumatra
- Filler: Nicaraguan, U.S.A.
- Origin: Tabacalera William Ventura, Dominican Republic
- Release Date: March 2024
- Price: $12/cigar, $120/bundle of 10
To complement this cigar’s rich flavors and family brunch vibe, here’s a book to savor.
Book Pairing
A Man Called Ove by Fredrik Backman. This heartwarming tale of a grumpy man finding community through unexpected bonds mirrors the Robusto’s bold yet smooth journey and the warmth of family brunch. Its emotional depth pairs perfectly with the cigar’s chocolate and espresso notes, ideal for a reflective smoke.
The Experience: From Start to Finish
First Look: Pre-Light Impressions
The Robusto feels compact yet substantial at 5 x 50, its Mexican San Andrés wrapper a deep cocoa hue with a leathery texture and fine veins. The roll’s firm, with a clean cap and tight seams, showcasing Ventura’s craft. Pre-light, I get sweet wood, earthy coffee beans, and a hint of hay, with the wrapper adding leather. The cold draw’s smooth, offering creamy cedar, chocolate-covered almond, and a starchy white rice note, promising a rich smoke.
I light it up, ready for brunch bliss.
Foot to Cap: The Flavor Journey
The first third opens with dark chocolate, creamy cedar, and hay, a medium-bodied kick from the San Andrés wrapper. A touch of almonds and plain white rice adds intrigue, while the smoke’s dense and creamy. The burn’s mostly even, with a light-gray ash holding an inch, though it needed a quick touch-up. The draw’s firm but smooth, perfect for the 50 ring gauge. It’s smoother than Room101’s Farce, with less spice, setting a cozy tone.
The middle third ramps to medium-full, with bitter espresso and leather taking over, backed by oak and a chalky mineral saltiness. Black pepper and caramel sauce sweetness hit on the retrohale, adding depth. The Sumatra binder brings toasted bread and cornbread notes, with almonds lingering. The burn steadies, ash clinging tight, and the draw opens up, pumping out massive smoke. Compared to Room101’s Big Payback, it’s richer, less earthy, keeping the brunch vibe lively.
The final third is a bold climax, with anise, earth, and dark chocolate dominating. Dried tea leaves and leather tack add complexity, while the caramel sweetness fades into spicy black pepper. The burn’s straight, needing no fixes, and the ash holds to the nub. The smoke stays cool for 75 minutes, smoother than Farce’s peppery close. The medium-full finish leaves a warm buzz, wrapping a robust yet balanced smoke that fits the family gathering.
Build & Burn: The Craftsmanship
The Robusto’s build is top-notch, with the San Andrés wrapper oily and toothy, showing minimal veins and tight seams. It’s firm, well-packed, feeling premium at $12. The draw’s firm at first but smooths out, delivering creamy, cool smoke over 75 minutes. The burn’s mostly even, with light-gray ash holding an inch, though occasional touch-ups are needed. The construction reflects Ventura’s family-run precision, making it a reliable brunch companion.
Flavor Deep Dive: What’s Cooking
The Robusto starts with dark chocolate, creamy cedar, and hay, with almonds and white rice adding a starchy twist. The middle third shifts to bitter espresso, leather, and oak, with chalky saltiness and caramel sweetness on the retrohale. Toasted bread and cornbread from the Sumatra binder deepen the profile. The final third brings anise, earth, and dried tea leaves, with black pepper overtaking the caramel. It’s richer than Room101’s Big Payback, smoother than Farce, a medium-full delight for brunch.
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Strength & Body: The Power Within |
The Robusto’s medium strength delivers a gentle buzz, ideal for most smokers, growing to medium-full by the end with a mild nicotine kick. It’s smoother than Room101’s Farce but bolder than Big Payback. The body’s medium-full, with dense, creamy smoke carrying chocolate, espresso, and anise. The flavors balance spice and sweetness, perfect for a sunny brunch session.
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Perfect Pairings: Elevate the Experience |
These pairings enhance the Robusto’s 75-minute brunch vibe:
- Drinks: Bourbon (matches chocolate); black coffee (lifts espresso).
- Foods: Dark chocolate (echoes cocoa); spinach quiche (complements cedar).
Grab these for an evening chill.
Value: Worth the Price?
At $12 per stick or $120 for a bundle of 10, the Robusto’s a solid value for its 75-minute burn and premium blend. The complex chocolate, espresso, and anise notes justify the price, matching Room101’s quality. As a regular-production smoke, it’s accessible but feels boutique. The minor burn quirks don’t detract from its appeal, making it a great pick for brunch or gifting.
Our Rating:
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The Room101 Hit & Run Redux Robusto earns a Refined. Its chocolate, espresso, and anise deliver a medium-full, 75-minute smoke. At $12, it’s a steal for its craft and vibe, though burn quirks keep it shy of perfect. A top pick for family moments. |
Final Thoughts
As brunch winds down, the Room101 Hit & Run Redux Robusto’s nub glows, wrapping a 75-minute smoke that elevated our family gathering. My girlfriend’s decor pick was spot-on—the cigar’s bold label and rich chocolate, espresso, and cedar notes fit the sunny vibe perfectly. This medium-full gem delivered balance and warmth, despite a few burn tweaks. At $12, it’s a standout for special moments.
Own the Smoke: Make It Yours
This Robusto’s for intermediate to experienced smokers craving a medium-full smoke with chocolate, espresso, and spice. Its 75-minute burn suits brunches or evening sessions. As a regular-production stick, it’s findable at shops, so grab one, sip coffee, and enjoy the moment.
