Today, we review the Topper 1894 in the Robusto size. The Topper 1894 debuted at the 2024 Premium Cigar Association (PCA) Trade Show. Based in Connecticut, Topper Cigars has a long history in the cigar industry. If you have followed Topper Cigars, you might have seen references to the company being founded in 1896. Recently, Chris Topper, President of Topper Cigar, found historical documents confirming the company’s inception in 1894. As a result, Topper can now lay claim to being the longest-standing family-owned cigar company in America. The Topper 1894 pays homage to this milestone, and the cigar’s release coincides with the company’s 130th anniversary.

A copy of the letter tracing Topper’s establishment in 1894

Topper Cigars was founded. by B.P. Topper in McSherrystown, Pennsylvania – a town between Gettysburg and York in the south-central part of that State. Today, the company is run by B.P.’s great-grandson, Chris Topper, who is the fourth generation from his family to run the company. For many years. Topper Cigars produced handmade cigars utilizing Cuban tobacco and Connecticut Broadleaf wrapper. Faced with the Cuban Embargo and rising labor costs during the 1960s, Topper Cigars switched to machine-made cigars utilizing 100 percent natural tobacco. In 2013, Chris Topper decided to make it a handmade production.

Topper 1894 Robusto Packaging

Without further ado, let’s break down the Topper 1894 Robusto and see what this cigar offers.

Topper 1894 Robusto – Cigar Review

SPECIFICATIONS

Blend and Origin

The blend for the Topper 1894 features a Habano wrapper from Sugar Valley, Pennsylvania. These wrappers are grown in a secluded region of central Pennsylvania. The Pennsylvania wrapper pays homage to the heritage of the company where the company initially started. Topper believes this is one of the first, if not the first, premium cigars to come to market with this wrapper. In addition, the filler incorporates Connecticut Broadleaf tobacco grown in the Dominican Republic. The other components of the blend have not been disclosed. Production comes out of the De Los Reyes factory in the Dominican Republic.

Wrapper: Pennsylvania Habano
Binder: Not Disclosed
Filler: Dominican Broadleaf and other undisclosed
Country of Origin: Dominican Republic
Factory: De Los Reyes Cigars S.A.

Vitolas Offered

The Topper 1894 is a regular-production cigar. It is offered in three different sizes, each packaged in 20-count boxes.

Robusto: 5 x 50
Corona: 6 x 44
Toro: 6 x 54

Appearance (*)

The Pennsylvania wrapper of the Topper 1894 Robusto was medium brown wood with a slight amount of rosado mixed in. The surface of the wrapper had a light sheen of oil. Upon closer examination, a slight amount of toothiness could also be seen on the wrapper. While, in general, this was a smooth wrapper, there were some visible veins and wrapper seams.

PERFORMANCE

Pre-Light Draw (*)

A straight cut was used to remove the cap of the Topper 1894 Robusto. Once the cap was removed, it was time to commence the pre-light draw experience. The pre-light draw didn’t have a radical flavor profile. It delivered a combination of natural tobacco, earth, and cedar. Overall, this pre-light draw was a satisfactory experience. At this point, it was time to toast up the footer of the 1894 Robusto and move on to the smoking phase.

Tasting Notes

The 1894 Robusto opened up with notes of natural tobacco, cedar, and peanut. As the cigar progressed through the early phase, notes of earth and black pepper surfaced on the tongue. The early phases saw the natural tobacco notes emerge as the primary notes. The cedar, peanut, pepper, and earth settled in the background. The retro-hale delivered an additional layer of cedar.

During the second third of the 1894 Robusto, the natural tobacco notes remained grounded in the forefront. At the same time, there were points when the earth and cedar made an appearance in the forefront before receding back into the background. During the second third, some of the black pepper joined the cedar in the forefront.

There wasn’t much change in the final third. The natural tobacco notes remained primary. There were points where the earth and cedar made it into the forefront. There was more black pepper on the tongue and retro-hale than in the earlier phases. Meanwhile, some of the peanut notes remained in the more distant background. This is how the 1894 Robusto came to a close. The resulting nub was soft to the touch and cool in temperature.

Burn

The 1894 Robusto required several touch-ups to maintain a straight burn path and burn line. While the touch-ups did the trick, an unusual amount were needed. The resulting ash was silver-gray, skewed toward the firmer side. The burn rate and burn temperature both maintained ideal levels.

Burn of the Topper 1894 Robusto

Draw

The draw of the 1894 Robusto had a touch of resistance to it. This is something that I like to see in a draw. At the same time, this was a low-maintenance cigar from which to derive flavor.

Strength and Body

The 1894 Robusto was a solid medium in terms of strength and body. Although both attributes slightly increased in intensity, this cigar remained in the medium range. When it came to strength versus body, both attributes balanced each other nicely, with neither overshadowing the other.

BANDING AND PACKAGING NOTES (*)

I truly love the Topper 1894’s packaging. It has a classic vibe, and the white bands complement this cigar beautifully. I still have a fondness for the wrapped-style boxes.

Packaging of the Topper 1894 Robusto

OVERALL ASSESSMENT

Final Thoughts

As much as the Topper 1894 has a classic look, the smoking experience is equally classic. This is a very nice medium-strength, medium-bodied Habano smoke. If you are looking for a slight “bite” in terms of spice, the 1894 Robusto will also deliver. In addition, the $8.75 price point is a good buy these days. This is a smoke I could recommend to any cigar enthusiast. As for myself, this is a cigar I would certainly buy and smoke again. There was also enough going on here where I also would check out the other sizes.

Summary

Key Flavors: Natural Tobacco, Cedar, Earth, Peanut, Pepper
Burn: Very Good
Draw: Excellent
Complexity: Medium
Strength: Medium
Body: Medium
Finish: Very Good