The trend of releasing smaller cigars for the winter months is nothing new. Most of the time, companies announce a smaller corona size for a single pre-existing line. So when Quesada announced it was putting out a sampler containing a short robusto size from five lines, we took a bit of notice.

Quesada Winter Pack 1

Quesada Winter Pack 2

It’s known simply as the Quesada Winter Pack, a sampler of five 4 x 50s from the company’s 40th Anniversary, Selección España, Heisenberg, Oktoberfest and Tributo lines. Two of the cigars—the España Short Robusto and Oktoberfest Kurz—are already out, but the other three are currently only offered in the sampler, which is limited to 2,000 units.

Included is the Quesada Tributo Short Robusto. Quesada introduced the Tributo line in 2010, a tribute from the 5th generation of the family to four members of the family that have passed away. It’s a regular production line that uses an Ecuadorian HCHS hybrid, which is developed from Habano 2000, Corojo, Habano Vuelta Arriba and Sumatra. Underneath is a Honduran ligero binder and fillers from the Dominican Republic and Nicaragua.

Quesada Tributo Short Robusto 1

  • Cigar Reviewed: Quesada Tributo Short Robusto
  • Country of Origin: Dominican Republic
  • Factory: Quesada Cigars
  • Wrapper: Ecuadorian HCHS
  • Binder: Honduras
  • Filler: Dominican Republic & Nicaragua 
  • Size: 4 Inches
  • Ring Gauge: 50
  • Vitola: Short Robusto
  • MSRP: $4.99 (Boxes of 5, $24.95)
  • Date Released: Nov. 3, 2014
  • Number of Cigars Released: 2,000 Boxes of 1 (2,000 Total Cigars)
  • Number of Cigars Smoked for Review:

I have always liked the main logo used on the Tributo and I’m glad to see it used now on various lines throughout the company. The thicker profile definitely helps things in my opinion. The wrapper looks much like I remember the line to be with fair amounts of reds and oils. Aroma-wise, I pick up a lot of acidity along with leather. While there’s not much sweetness from the wrapper, the foot has cherries and cocoa alongside nuts and some hickory all underneath a freshly polished wood note. There’s a lot of dry ramen noodle flavor, beef jerky and some fruit on the cold draw, one of the more unique things I’ve tasted of late.

I get subtle notes of hickory and leather, both semi-sweet, to start the Quesada Tributo Short Robusto. As the cigar burns, woody flavors emerge along with ramen and some cola underneath. The finish has a grassy quality from the start and it combines nicely with a grainy wheat flavor. While two samples were a bit challenging to get going, once they are lit fully, it’s a relatively easy smoke with a nice even ash and a slightly open draw.

Quesada Tributo Short Robusto 2

That ramen flavor picks up in the second third. I should stress that while it is somewhat salty, it’s plain noodle, so not overwhelming flavors like you would get from the included seasoning packet. Things get a touch harsher and there’s a peanut note that overwhelms the grassy finish. At the halfway mark, green pepper and spoiled lime emerge, things that I find pleasant enough. Construction for the Tributo is still quite good and strength remains at the medium level.

Quesada Tributo Short Robusto 3

A few puffs into the final third and it’s like I’m biting into a freshly baked loaf of whole wheat. I’ve never done it before, although I have had bread straight out of the oven, and it’s a similar sensation. I wouldn’t say that it overwhelms the ramen flavor, rather, the ramen has completely disappeared. Creaminess is now in place of the harshness and that essentially is where the Tributo leaves me for the final inch. It’s two very different, yet identifiable flavors. Strength hasn’t budged the entire time and construction remains fine, although the sample that I photographed shows a flowering ash.

Quesada Tributo Short Robusto 4

Final Notes

  • This is not the first time Quesada has released a sampler in winter time, two years ago it released the Blender’s Sampler.
  • Toraño actually filed opposition to the Tributo trademark back in 2010. The company made a cigar called Toraño Tribute.
  • All three draws were noticeably more open than your average cigar. The best flavors came from the sample that I cut the least amount off of and I honestly would recommend a shallow and conservative punch.
  • This is the only Tributo size without a special name.
  • Quesada Cigars is an advertiser on halfwheel.
  • Cigars for this review were purchased by halfwheel.
  • Final smoking time was 55 minutes on average.
87 Overall Score

The night before smoking my first Tributo Short Robusto I was outside in similar conditions smoking an utterly slow-burning gran salomones for a future review. What a difference a day makes. The short and quick Tributo provide its purpose: an array of flavors in a small format that takes a little more than 45 minutes for a noted slow smoker. I definitely enjoyed the cigar, but I don’t recall this being like other Tributos I’ve smoked through the years. This was a bit brasher, fuller and with some incredibly unique flavors.

Avatar photo

Charlie Minato

I am an editor and co-founder of halfwheel.com/Rueda Media, LLC. I previously co-founded and published TheCigarFeed, one of the two predecessors of halfwheel. I have written about the cigar industry for more than a decade, covering everything from product launches to regulation to M&A. In addition, I handle a lot of the behind-the-scenes stuff here at halfwheel. I enjoy playing tennis, watching boxing, falling asleep to the Le Mans 24, wearing sweatshirts year-round and eating gyros. echte liebe.