The Crux Guild Robusto brings together an Ecuadorian Habano wrapper, a Nicaraguan binder, and aged Nicaraguan filler, rolled at Plasencia Cigars S.A. in Esteli. Announced at the 2015 IPCPR show and shipping since May 2016, the Guild is one of the bolder regular-production lines in the Crux catalog. The 5 x 50 Robusto is the line's anchor size and smokes medium to full.
Dark, dirt-like earth sets the base, layered with coffee and cocoa. Dark fruit brings a sour-sweet edge, warm cedar and pencil shavings fill the middle, and sharp black pepper hits hard on the retrohale. Toasty, roasted minerality and a nutty, creamy cedar finish tie the whole thing together.
This is a cigar for smokers who want depth and grit without paying a premium, and it has held its price point well since launch. Reach for it after dinner with a bold coffee or a rye. Boxes of 20 are built from four five-packs, so you can try a five-pack first and commit to the box when it wins you over.
