I invite you to dive into my review of the Aladino Cameroon Robusto.
To this day, I can’t think back to that evening at the Royal Cigar Lounge without cracking a smile. I’ll admit it openly: meeting Vivien and Justo Eiroa from Aladino Cigars inevitably colors my affection for the brand. On the pages of Polski Aficionado you can find both a full recap of that event and an interview with Vivien and Justo.
I have a feeling I wasn’t the only one who left with such warm memories, because tucked inside the package of cigars I later received was a perfect-cut cigar cutter – one that, as I was told, Justo Eiroa himself insisted on including. It was a gesture that genuinely made my day, and I treat that cutter like a small artifact of its own. It carries a story I still have trouble believing, even though I lived it.
During our conversation that evening, our guests managed to charm me to the point where I think of that night every time I reach for an Aladino cigar. I had already smoked a stick from the Cameroon line before, and it was a surprisingly pleasant experience. For reasons I can’t fully explain, I wasn’t expecting much – and those are exactly the surprises I enjoy most. I remember thinking how great it would be to try it in my favorite vitola, the Robusto. And that’s precisely how the cigar featured in today’s review ended up in my hands.
Aladino Cameroon Robusto
Despite what the name might suggest, the entire line is crafted exclusively from tobacco grown in Honduras – including the wrapper leaf from which it takes its name. What stands out here is the binder and filler, which, according to the manufacturer, are composed entirely of authentic Corojo. The line spans an impressive range of vitolas, offering something for just about every smoker:
- Aladino Cameroon Rothschild (4 1/2 X 48),
- Aladino Cameroon Robusto (5 X 50),
- Aladino Cameroon Queens Perfecto (5 1/4 X 46),
- Aladino Cameroon Lonsdale (6 X 43),
- Aladino Cameroon Super Toro (6 X 52),
- Aladino Cameroon Gordo (6 1/2 X 60),
- Aladino Cameroon Elegante (7 X 38).
With today’s review, I can officially check off my second cigar from the line – the Aladino Cameroon Robusto.
A Few Technical Notes
The cigar comes in a classic Robusto format, measuring 5 inches in length (about 12.7 cm) with a 50 ring gauge. A traditional size, promising the familiar hour and a half of smoking time I’ve come to expect. The cigar is rolled entirely from Honduran tobacco, with both the binder and filler composed of authentic Corojo. The wrapper has a matte appearance – neither particularly light nor dark – and the cigar is dressed in a simple band dominated by red with silver accents. I’d say the comparison to Cuban-style bands is quite fitting.
The Cut
Before opening the cigar, I take a moment to nose the wrapper and prime the senses. The aroma of the unlit cigar carries notes of coffee, a touch of earth, and a faint sweetness lingering in the background. I decided to make the cut using a straight cigar cutter. The cold draw is excellent – the kind of effortless draw that already makes it hard to imagine anything spoiling the experience ahead. On the palate, the unlit cigar greets me with a flavor reminiscent of sweet wood.
The Smoke
I warm the foot thoroughly with a jet-flame lighter and bring the cigar to life with a few short, gentle puffs. I set it down for a moment to let it settle, then begin the tasting. The first draws greet me with coffee edged by an earthy undertone. There’s also a touch of pepper – just enough to brighten the profile, the way a good seasoning elevates a dish. On the finish, I pick up more wood. I also detect a note of caramel, though not nearly as sweet as one might expect from the name. Soon the cigar offers a pleasant creaminess, accompanied by slightly acidic, mineral accents. Pepper remains a constant presence, never overpowering but unavoidably noticeable. The woody note from the finish grows in intensity and moves to the forefront, showing a subtle astringency. Earth joins the profile as well, gaining strength toward the final stretch.
Strength & Body
I’d place the strength in the medium-to-full range, though it doesn’t really tip into full until the end.
Aroma & Smoke
Smoke production is abundant – something that always brings me a certain joy. The aroma in the air is sweet and creamy, with hints of cedar. Retrohales, on the other hand, are distinctly peppery and may even bring a tear to the eye.
Construction & Burn
Construction allows for an unhurried moment to yourself, though the ash demands caution. It falls whenever it feels like it – not once making it to the ashtray. Every time it dropped at the most inconvenient moment, marking anything within reach. The burn line stays reasonably straight.
Final Thoughts on the Aladino Cameroon Robusto
I genuinely enjoyed this cigar – and the best proof of that is the note I jotted down in my cigar journal afterward. Every now and then I summarize my impressions in just a few words, and the entry for the Aladino Cameroon Robusto simply reads: “a very good cigar.” Plenty of smoke, an excellent draw, and rich, expressive flavors – all the things I look for. If I really wanted to nitpick, I’d mention that the burn isn’t perfectly clean and the ash has a talent for making a mess.
This cigar was provided for review by Szymon Kwiatkowski of Premium Cigars.
If you enjoyed reading this, let me know! Drop a comment or share the post – every bit of support helps others discover my cigar reviews and smoking tips. If you prefer to listen, I co-host a podcast with Piotr Siwiński called „Spotkanie z Dymem” („A Meeting with Smoke”) – currently in Polish, though who knows what the future holds? You can also find me on Instagram, where I share a slice of my cigar life – and a bit more. I always welcome a good conversation. That’s how great connections start – and they often go far beyond just cigars.
Stay smoky!
Mateusz Krzywiecki, @mateusz.krzywiecki, Polski Aficionado, @polskiaficionado
