Astral by Don Tomas Robusto Maduro – (Corona 5 x 43)

· Wrapper – Sumatra (Ecuador)

· Binder – (Honduras)

· Filler – Long (Honduras)

My First Impression:

Wow a blast from the past! I remember smoking these guys back in 1997 at Players jazz bar in Avondale (Jacksonville FL). Back then these little babies were about $8 bucks a stick. These little guys (only a 43 ring) have a rich Maduro wrapper that is packed with Honduran filler. The touch and feel of the cigar is nice and what it is to be expected from a premium stogie. Of the twenty or so that I smoked during cigarfest none disappointed me – but I didn’t have a huge expectation either (when you are smoking eight cigars a day they all start to taste the same). None the less this little guy kept it ask and burn – never needing to be relight or creating any wrapper runs. She was mild from start to finish a throwback to be when cigars weren’t measured by how much they could knock you out. The best part of this cigar is the price and all in all it has a huge ROI (Return On Investment).

· Where I smoked? Cigarfest about 20 of them

· What I drank? Beer – Andrews home brew

Recommendation:

This is a great everyday cigar with a burn time of about 40 minutes. Cigar International has bought most of the nations stock of these little guys and blowing them out a $25 bucks a box (25 to a box) that is a dollar a stick! For this price and the pedigree for which this cigar comes from this is an awesome deal you shouldn’t pass up. If nothing else when your cheap mooching friends come by you won’t feel bag about giving them a S@#$ Stick – this one will definitely satisfy.

The Pro’s Comments:

Astral is a time-honored brand from Honduras that was once a beloved favorite among serious cigar enthusiasts, a brand that regularly outsold many of today’s boutique and national brand giants due to its smooth flavor profiles, top-notch quality, and relentless consistency. Well, good news....a nice quantity of well-aged Astral handmades has been unearthed, including this gem: the original Astral. Made with a seamless Sumatra-seed wrapper from Ecuador, the standard issue Astral is exceedingly smooth and creamy throughout the burn, thanks to a well-aged blend of Dominican long-fillers. Expect subtle but complex notes of nuts, cedar, pepper, and earth from start to finish, completing a well-aged, eventful handmade built for daily enjoyment.