601 Red

[wolfandwhisky]

As usual, below is the text from my review, pictures are available with the review of my site:

http://wolfandwhisky.com/601-red-habano/]601 Red Habano Robusto Review

Going further into the 601 line, I’ve made my way to the 601 Red Habano Robusto.

Construction: In the Red Label Habano, 601 provides a stick with a fresh and sweet pre-light smell that brings to mind marmalade and leather. There are two prominent veins, and no soft spots; it is rolled nice and tight with a good looking triple cap. Overall, the robusto is a good looking stick – well constructed with a solid weight and feel. I’m partial to the 601 band, too. There is a bit of detail, but not so much as to be too visually busy or gaudy. Plus, the consistency in design, with the exception of color, makes the various 601s line up nicely together, much in the same manner the Fuentes line up nicely.

A slow, smooth draw bring out plenty of white smoke, with more than sufficient amounts still being churned out at the final third. The burn was relatively even, although there were some uneven spots. I prefer to not touch up my cigar unless some environmental aspect (i.e. fan, wind, etc.) requires me to, and I let this one correct itself, which it did relatively quickly and without a problem. The ash was not particularly tight, but I wasn’t overly worried about it as it didn’t really have a noticeable impact on the burn or flavor. The first bit fell off at about an inch and three-quarters. To clarify, I mean it literally fell off – I thought I could get one more puff out of it before ashing, but was taken by surprise when it just toppled over. After that, though, it starting coming off in about quarter- to half-inch chunks.

Initial Flavors: The initial notes consist predominantly of cedar, with background hints of spice and to a lesser extent vanilla. The woody aspect of this was interesting, on the palate I attribute it more to cedar, but it wasn’t quite as sweet and may better be described as burning oak.

Continuing flavors: After about the first third, the spice picks up and runs in parallel with the cedar. The spice isn’t a particularly sweet spice, similar to what may be found in the Work of Art Maduro, but there are notes of cinnamon, and it is augmented by herbal notes.

At about the half-way point, the spice takes over, but the cedar remains in the background. This is the point where a hint of coffee becomes noticeable, which actually seems to bounce off the spice pretty well. An inch or so later, close to nearing the end, there is a very faint note of black licorice. To be clear, though, the spice and cedar are still the predominant qualities, with the coffee and black licorice more secondary aspects that complement and play off of the core palate. Think of them as the cheerleaders at a football game. They are there, and noticeable, but you don’t go to the game because of them. Well, maybe some people do.

At just under $4.00 per stick, this is an incredible smoke for the money. However, as I’ve stated before, I prefer to rate my smokes without price in mind. I can give this a solid 8.5, as it is complex, balanced, and well-constructed, and features a very amiable flavor profile. Stacking it up against my recollection of the 601 Green Habano Oscuro does leave it a little short, but the quality of both warrants a head to head between the two to confirm that the Green is a little more desirable.