Cigar Weekly

jazznut · 08-31-2004, 03:58 PM

"User Friendly"

Black Pearl Gran Robusto from the Dominican Republic
Size: 5.25 inches by 52 ring gauge

As part of an Air-Mail assault delivered to my doorstep by Eugene (CW's hopelessly unselfish crossbow), this Black Pearl Gran Robusto stood out as something of a dark-horse.

Concocted from 100% Cuban-seed Corojo ligero Dominican filler and wrapped in an Oscuro Connecticut Broadleaf, the Gran Robusto was just slightly oversized by Cuban standards.

The Black Pearl certainly lived up to its name in a visual sense, its fairly matte 'full-roasted' extremely dark brown capa displaying moderately pronounced longitudinal inky veins as well as rosewood highlights.

The cigar felt to be medium-firm in resilience, and exuded a distinctive sugary sweet and spice cupboard-like pre-light aroma along with mocha nuances and hints of rich soil.

However, once afire, the Gran Robusto readily released thickly pungent scents of molasses-soaked old leather garnished with cayenne turning to embers in a fruitwood bonfire.

The smoothly surfaced grey-white ash also displayed a somewhat surprising consistency given my original assessment of the cigar's degree of firmness, being quite flaky and more than willing to drop at a moment's notice. Nonetheless, the Black Pearl burned uneventfully, if at a marginally faster pace than I'm used to.

More surprises were in store on the palate, where a very rounded and mellow interpretation of that sugary sweetness noted earlier coated underlying tastes of expresso and dark chocolate infused with ginger and Malabar pepper earthiness, while flashes of fresh cedar came and went.

And there the flavour spectrum remained, in a medium-bodied manner, throughout the entire session. Despite this apparent lack of progression, the Dominican was very likeable and balanced, not a single rough edge detracting from its pleasant demeanour.

The Black Pearl Gran Robusto strikes me as an exceptionally 'user-friendly' cigar that doesn't demand a great degree of attention in terms of either technical or contemplative attention. It makes for a perfect casual smoking interlude.

Thank you Gene for widening my horizons ever more.

rdk · 08-31-2004, 05:23 PM

Great review Doug. I too enjoy this cigar whenever I come in from the darkness.

crossbow · 09-01-2004, 01:58 AM

Jazznut

Anytime - You are very much welcome

solomr2 · 09-01-2004, 03:37 AM

gumby · 09-01-2004, 05:02 AM

I love reading your reviews.

Mr.Mean · 09-01-2004, 07:49 AM

My favorite non Cuban cigar

Malabar pepper........you made that up

mark5 · 09-01-2004, 02:46 PM

Great review Doug just got a box of those they need a little rest in the coolerdor first one ROTT was a little wet still.

If you have'nt tried the Don linos africa duma's yet deffinatly try that one
after a month in the humi these have turned into a great cigar but once again ROTT they burned poorly. These already come withh 4 1/2 years of age on them not sure what kind of age the black pearl has.

Ironman · 09-10-2004, 06:20 PM

Just finished my first Black Pearl tonight, and was trying to sum up this cigar when I found this review... Doug you are right on as usual

I could have never described the flavors I was tasting, you did it to the tee, I enjoyed this cigar while reading the daily paper and just couldn't puy it down

I like this cigar and will look to get some more

Ironman

AA · 09-11-2004, 04:13 AM

Every time I read one of your reviews, I start swearing, because it generally means yet another cigar I want to try. And at a pace of one a week or so, I'm already booked solid for years!

Nice work, as usual!

flyfishtn · 09-11-2004, 07:03 AM

I've been away from the board for a while due to work commitments and I return today to find that Doug's reviews are still excellent as always!

08-31-2004, 03:58 PM	#1
jazznut Managing Editor Emeritus Herf God Join Date: Apr 2003 Location: Montreal, Canada Posts: 26,082	Black Pearl Gran Robusto "User Friendly" Black Pearl Gran Robusto from the Dominican Republic Size: 5.25 inches by 52 ring gauge As part of an Air-Mail assault delivered to my doorstep by Eugene (CW's hopelessly unselfish crossbow), this Black Pearl Gran Robusto stood out as something of a dark-horse. Concocted from 100% Cuban-seed Corojo ligero Dominican filler and wrapped in an Oscuro Connecticut Broadleaf, the Gran Robusto was just slightly oversized by Cuban standards. The Black Pearl certainly lived up to its name in a visual sense, its fairly matte 'full-roasted' extremely dark brown capa displaying moderately pronounced longitudinal inky veins as well as rosewood highlights. The cigar felt to be medium-firm in resilience, and exuded a distinctive sugary sweet and spice cupboard-like pre-light aroma along with mocha nuances and hints of rich soil. However, once afire, the Gran Robusto readily released thickly pungent scents of molasses-soaked old leather garnished with cayenne turning to embers in a fruitwood bonfire. The smoothly surfaced grey-white ash also displayed a somewhat surprising consistency given my original assessment of the cigar's degree of firmness, being quite flaky and more than willing to drop at a moment's notice. Nonetheless, the Black Pearl burned uneventfully, if at a marginally faster pace than I'm used to. More surprises were in store on the palate, where a very rounded and mellow interpretation of that sugary sweetness noted earlier coated underlying tastes of expresso and dark chocolate infused with ginger and Malabar pepper earthiness, while flashes of fresh cedar came and went. And there the flavour spectrum remained, in a medium-bodied manner, throughout the entire session. Despite this apparent lack of progression, the Dominican was very likeable and balanced, not a single rough edge detracting from its pleasant demeanour. The Black Pearl Gran Robusto strikes me as an exceptionally 'user-friendly' cigar that doesn't demand a great degree of attention in terms of either technical or contemplative attention. It makes for a perfect casual smoking interlude. Thank you Gene for widening my horizons ever more. __________________ My whisky adventure began at the age of nine. Good things DO take time!

09-01-2004, 03:37 AM	#4
solomr2 Herf Meister Join Date: Aug 2001 Location: Cone of Death & Destruction Posts: 5,324	__________________ A broken Punch whore. Now I smoke anything I can get.

09-01-2004, 05:02 AM	#5
gumby Contributing Editor MOM November 2012 Emeritus Honorary MOM November 2021 Herf God Join Date: Sep 2000 Location: Republic of Texas Posts: 47,284	I love reading your reviews. __________________ I predict future happiness for Americans if they can prevent the government from wasting the labors of the people under the pretense of taking care of them. Thomas Jefferson

09-01-2004, 07:49 AM	#6
Mr.Mean Herf Meister Join Date: Jul 2001 Location: Basement Dweller Posts: 7,216	My favorite non Cuban cigar Malabar pepper........you made that up __________________ I can eat 50 eggs.

09-01-2004, 02:46 PM	#7
mark5 Club Member Join Date: Mar 2004 Location: Holly Springs, Georgia Posts: 1,753	Great review Doug just got a box of those they need a little rest in the coolerdor first one ROTT was a little wet still. If you have'nt tried the Don linos africa duma's yet deffinatly try that one after a month in the humi these have turned into a great cigar but once again ROTT they burned poorly. These already come withh 4 1/2 years of age on them not sure what kind of age the black pearl has. __________________ LIVE TO RIDE AND RIDE TO LIVE! ENJOY THE RIDE!

08-31-2004, 05:23 PM	#2
rdk Member Join Date: Jan 2004 Posts: 302	Great review Doug. I too enjoy this cigar whenever I come in from the darkness.

09-01-2004, 01:58 AM	#3
crossbow Club Member Join Date: Oct 2003 Posts: 1,229	Jazznut Anytime - You are very much welcome

09-10-2004, 06:20 PM	#8
Ironman Club Member Join Date: Dec 2003 Posts: 1,817	Just finished my first Black Pearl tonight, and was trying to sum up this cigar when I found this review... Doug you are right on as usual I could have never described the flavors I was tasting, you did it to the tee, I enjoyed this cigar while reading the daily paper and just couldn't puy it down I like this cigar and will look to get some more Ironman __________________ "If smoking cigars is not permitted in heaven, I won't go". Mark Twain

09-11-2004, 04:13 AM	#9
AA Member Join Date: May 2004 Location: Lebanon, NH Posts: 241	Every time I read one of your reviews, I start swearing, because it generally means yet another cigar I want to try. And at a pace of one a week or so, I'm already booked solid for years! Nice work, as usual!

09-11-2004, 07:03 AM	#10
flyfishtn Club Member Join Date: Oct 2003 Location: Nashvegas Posts: 4,906	I've been away from the board for a while due to work commitments and I return today to find that Doug's reviews are still excellent as always! __________________ Sometimes it is entirely appropriate to kill a fly with a sledgehammer. - Maj. I.L. Holdridge, USMC