Agile Cigar Review: Nat Sherman Timeless Sterling Short Robusto

Agile Cigar Reviews are cigar assessments where we use a lightweight, shorter format. These will never take the place of our comprehensive reviews. They are only used on blends we have previously assessed. This might be a blend we are re-scoring or giving a score for the first time. It might be a blend we are looking at in a different size. Today we look at the Nat Sherman Timeless Sterling in the Short Robusto size. This is a cigar we have previously assessed in the Corona Gorda size back in July 2014.

Wrapper: Ecuadorian Connecticut
Binder: Dominican
Filler: Dominican
Country of Origin: Dominican Republic
Factory: Quesada Cigars SA
Short Robusto: 4 x 52

In 2013 Nat Sherman introduced a line in its portfolio known as the Nat Sherman Sterling. It was intended to be a more premium offering in the portfolio that focused on connoisseur sizes – with six of the eight vitolas under a 50 ring gauge, and no vitola larger than 52. Fast forward to 2018 and Nat Sherman underwent a major restructuring of its portfolio. The portfolio was split into several pillars and the Sterling was moved under the Timeless pillar. While the blend and sizes remained the same, new packaging was introduced to the Sterling making it consistent with the Timeless offerings. Today we take a look at the Nat Sherman Timeless Sterling in the Short Robusto format.

Available in ten-count boxes, the Timeless Sterling Short Robusto has the thickest ring gauge (52) and along with the Perlas size, it is the shortest vitola in the series (4″) The Short Robusto size was not a part of the original 2013 launch, but was added into the collection in 2015. As for the blend, it consists of an Ecuadorian Connecticut wrapper over Dominican binder and filler. Production is handled out of the Quesada factory in the Dominican Republic.

The Nat Sherman Timeless Sterling Short Robusto delivered a mix of cream, classic wood, citrus, black pepper, salt, and nut. Early on the creaminess was more prominent. During the second third, the wood, pepper, and salt components all increased, while the citrus decreased and nut dissipated. The wood increased at a greater rate and by the second half, it displaced the cream as the primary note. The woody notes were primary throughout the remainder of the cigar experience and were rounded off by secondary notes of cream, pepper, salt, and citrus.

In term of strength, the Nat Sherman Timeless Sterling Short Robusto isn’t going to be a nicotine bomb as it delivered mild to medium strength. The flavors of the Timeless Sterling Short Robusto were a solid medium. For the most part, the intensity level of the strength and body did not have much variance.

OVERALL ASSESSMENT

Final Thoughts

I believe Nat Sherman made the right decision moving the Panamericana out of the TAA series and making it a regular offering. I’ve found the Panamericana to be a solid offering, but one that got lost in what has become an over-saturated collection of TAA releases. That being said, I’ve found the Panamericana one that smokes better in the smaller ring gauges. The Belicoso Fino is the second largest ring gauge in the line, so it did fall a little short when compared to sizes such as 43 ring gauge Cervantes. Still, this is a cigar I’d recommend to a novice or experienced cigar enthusiast. It’s one I’d smoke and buy from time to time as well.

Summary

Key Flavors: Cream, Classic Wood, Citrus, Pepper, Salt, Nut
Burn: Excellent
Draw: Excellent
Complexity: Medium
Strength: Mild to Medium
Body: Medium
Finish: Very Good