2016 brings back a lot of memories, but few of them are fonder than my discovery of Campesino Series from Edgar Julian Sued in the Dominican Republic. This was the puro tag team (with Chogui) that put Manufactura Rivas on a lot of our maps.
This cigar had everything going for them a couple years ago: a classic, delightful blend, a timeless, photogenic band, and an unbelievably attractive price point. Smoking Campesino was like dating the rare babe that has yet to figure out that the world revolves around them. All of the heat, none of the maintenance.
And then poof! Like a summer fling, Campesino disappeared for a couple years right as they were picking up steam. Seeing the well dry up, most of us hoarded our dwindling supply and treated our Campesino Robustos and Toros with reverence.
Thankfully, they came back to the U.S. this year and even introduced a new vitola along with a couple new cigars.
Given the amount of self-applied hype surrounding these cigars, I was initially worried that the re-release wouldn’t live up to the pedestal that we placed it on. As we all know, many a cigar has failed to live up to expectations for various reasons... usually when we make it out to be something that no cigar can live up to.
View our interview with Campesino Series
And while it’s hard to compare apples to apples since my old stock has several years on the new stuff, I’m very happy to say that the new Campesino White Series has the same soul of the 2016 hit and run! Here's a quick run down:
- Robusto: medium+ bodied, buttery, and thick with flavors. Great at any time.
- Toro: milder, sweeter, and the perfect first cigar of the day.
- Corona: An excellent combination of the two, it’s sweeter while maintaining a creamy texture and that medium+ body throughout.
It’s rare when I buy boxes of multiple sizes, but for Campesino I’ve made the exception to pickup at least one box of each size. They’re cut from the same cloth, but have unique personalities that scratch different itches.
Recommendations:
If you're looking for the perfect cigar to introduce someone to the hobby, or enjoy a milder cigar with sweeter tasting notes, I'd highly recommend that you pick up some of the Toro. It's mild-mannered, but not afraid to show up to the party. I've smoked more of these to date than the other sizes because it leaves my palate fresh for a round two later. Expect tasting notes of Cheerios, brown sugar, mild cedar, and hints of milk chocolate.
If you like your cigars a little heavier on the palate, the Robusto is where it's at! Buttery smooth, chewy smoke, and hearty flavors sums it up. Expect tasting notes of graham cracker, various woods, toasted nuts, gingerbread, and molasses.
The Corona (for me) seems to be a perfect combination of the two. I'd suggest this to anyone that remembers the 2016 Campesino Craze or has tried the Robusto and Toro already. If you're really unsure of which you'd like, but want to experience it for yourself, I suggest taking a look at the sampler below to become acquainted. It also has the limited edition Renacimiento, a cigar that I'm also very fond of.
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