Nat Sherman 1930 Gran Robusto

19 Jun 2014  •  Posted by Jack  •  Nat Sherman  •  3613 views

One of the cigars I have been most excited to try makes its first appearance on my blog today.  Nat Sherman has been stepping up their game over the past few years.  Unfortunately their cigars are really hard to find in my area and I just haven't had the notion to order any from online retailers.  So, a couple of weeks back I treated myself to a nice big fat robusto size Nat Sherman 1930.  This cigar commemorates the start of the brand.  Sporting an absolutely gorgeous art-deco band and constructed at the Quesada MATASA factory, this new entry into the Nat Sherman catalog has been on my list for a long time. So, let's get going...

Construction: The medium brown wrapper leaf is oily with only a few veins.  I note some spots on the leaf too - it actually adds to the vintage feel, so no complaints.  It's a husky cigar - fairly heavy in hand. 

Pre-light Aroma and Draw: Out of the cellophane, I get leather, woody spice, pepper, and some vanilla.  From the foot there is a nice sweet chocolate note.  The draw is perfect.  Not too open or closed.  A cold pull gives a nice leather and spice flavor.  Let's light it up....

Light and Burn: After starting out a tad ragged, the 1930 evens out perfectly and burns razor sharp until the end.  Ash is medium gray and fairly heavy. A solid performer from start to finish.

Tasting: Off the start I get a nice grouping of flavors.  Flint, cola, leather, cedar, and a nice meatiness with a few notes of toasty pepper begin the first third.  Things soften after the first few puffs and notes of sweet oak and a nice creamy vanilla lay over a nice leathery core.  Honestly better than I hoped for so far.  Flavors are pretty rich and there is a very slight note of mint on the finish.

The middle third hits with a nice chocolate note and some pepper.  That leathery sweet core is still there too.  There is also a very unique creamy vanilla bean sweetness that I haven't encountered before in the mix as well.  Now there is something I don't say very often.  The balance is very good and the flavors are nice and complex.  Body is in the solid medium range too.

As the final third arrives, that vanilla flavor moves up and complements the leathery core.  Notes of black pepper and a doughy sweetness that reminds me of cookie dough pop up.  That chocolate and vanilla create such a wonderfully complex series of flavors it is astounding.  The strength doesn't really drive past medium-full, which is really nice.  These flavors are just exquisite.

Value: The 1930 in this vitola will run you around $11 online and this is the only real blemish on an otherwise spotless review.  If these were in the $8 to $9 range, I would smoke them daily.  As it stands, a box of these will run you a couple hundred bucks online.

Final Thoughts: It's no secret, if you know me, that I am a vintage fanatic - the 1930's, 40's, and 50's are fascinating to me.  I watch the movies, listen to the music and radio shows of those decades daily.  Heck, my son and I even wear vintage hats (planning on getting a Bowler this autumn).  As a graphic designer, the vintage feel crops up in my designs too.  Therefore this Nat Sherman nod to the good old days was bound to be right up my alley.   So, after all the waiting, was the 1930 worth it?  I say a resounding yes!  It totally surpassed my expectations and delivered a totally unique experience.  Now, I have had very limited experience with Nat Sherman cigars in the past.  I smoked a few of the Host series long long ago, and they were okay, I guess.  These new additions - the Timeless and Sterling series along with the 1930 - were put together by Michael Herklots who used to work with Davidoff.  If the others, and they are on my list to review, are anywhere as good as this 1930 entry, I am sold.  To be honest, I am very pleased to see such a historic brand being brought back to life.  Well done, Nat Sherman.  Highly recommended! 

Wrapper: Dominican
Binder: Dominican
Filler: Dominican, Nicaraguan

Strength: Medium leaning towards medium full

Size: 5.25 x 54


Sadly the photo doesn't show the oily sheen very well.


I quote Egon from Ghostbusters: " Art deco.  Very nice."


Final rating:

93/100


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