Johnny Tobacconaut Robusto

In 2015, Room101 took the cigar world to space with the famed Johnny Tobacconaut, a Nicaraguan puro out of Honduras. The cigar was followed only one year later with the Chief Cool Arrow, extending the Johnny Appleseed allegory through the eyes of the native space-dwellers. Since that time, Matt Booth has hinted that Room101 would return to space. Year after year, cigar enthusiasts were left waiting; until 2021, when a short, limited visit to space was done as an exclusive for retailer Luxury Cigar Club. Finally, in 2023, Johnny Tobacconaut suited up and was taken to space once again—this time as a regular offering.

This space-themed cigar, based on American pioneer Johnny Appleseed, has undergone some adjustments from its previous releases in order to make it ready for regular production. Like the 2021 version, the cigars are rolled at A.J. Fernández’s factory in Estelí, Nicaragua. This Tobacconaut is suited in a Connecticut wrapper, while the binder was changed to a Mexican leaf, surrounding an all-Nicaraguan core.

“We look forward to continuing to evolve Johnny Tobacconaut in many ways, shapes, and forms. And while this is not the end all, be all realization of this brand, it is a solid look forward that we will build on over the years to come. Rest assured: Johnny Tobacconaut will continue to evolve, just as space and time evolve.” —Matt Booth

Johnny Tobacconaut Robusto Breakdown

Johnny Tobacconaut is available in four sizes: Robusto, Toro, Gordo, and Perfecto. The boxes have the classic black and gold Johnny Tobacconaut logo. The Perfecto is packaged in 10-count boxes, with full Room101-style dressed cigars, outfitted with tissue paper and a paper sleeve. However, the cigars of first three sizes come in cello only, lacking the classic Room101 tissue paper and sleeve.

Appearance

The Johnny Tobacconaut cigar has a creamy coffee-brown-colored wrapper that is smooth. It sports two bands—the main band is larger, in classic gold and black colors with the name “ROOM101.” The other side of this band is in the shape of Johnny Tobacconaut himself (something the original JT cigar lacked). Our space explorer is holding a shovel in one hand and has a space pack full of tobacco leaves. There is a second band that is thinner—all gold—with three lines of text displaying “JOHNNY TOBACCO NAUT” in a black rectangle. The Johnny Tobacconaut box displays the same colors, having a large Johnny Tobacconaut character in gold taking up nearly the entire lid. The aroma of the cigar has a mixture of cinnamon and graham cracker that intensifies as you get to the foot of the cigar.

Smoking Experience

With a straight cut of the cigar, the cold draw has a salty buttered cracker taste with a starchy finish. With a slow toast and launch of the Johnny Tobacconaut, a mild peppery note hits the tip of the tongue, while a graham cracker crust with mild orange zest flavor settles onto the palate. There is an enjoyable meaty/savory feel to this Connecticut-wrapped cigar. The retrohale has a pleasantly warm black pepper taste and feel.

As we reach the upper astrosphere, the graham cracker flavor has lessened, but the savory flavor profile has increased, along with some traces of orange zest. Occasionally, throughout the smoke, there are hints of white pepper and cedar. The smoke output is a very light, white smoke that rolls off the cigar in a way reminiscent of smoke billowing from a rocket before liftoff.

Finally reaching space, Johnny Tobacconaut finishes out with rich, savory sage flavors. Citrus notes become more prominent, creating a really enjoyable smoking experience. The retrohale remains fairly uniform from start to finish, with a nice black pepper flavor lightly stinging through the nostrils. Overall, Johnny Tobacconaut delivers an excellent smoking experience as a fuller-bodied Connecticut smoke.

As one would expect from any cigar made by A.J. Fernánadez, construction is sturdy and solid. Johnny Tobacconaut has a silky-smooth Connecticut wrapper with no imperfections. The draw was slightly loose, which did lead to a bit faster burning of the cigar. The ash, which was white and flaky, stayed on for two centimeters, having a razor-sharp burn line throughout the entire smoking time.

Would I Smoke This Cigar Again?

This revisit to space with the Johnny Tobacconaut is a terrific relaunch of the brand for regular production. The changes made to Johnny Tobacconaut bring a bolder, fuller-bodied Connecticut, which is a pleasantly surprising departure from the classic Room101 flavor profile. The price of the cigar is outstanding for what is delivered to the consumer. Johnny Tobacconaut has rich, savory, meaty flavors paired with graham cracker crust and orange zest. These, along with the notes of sage and warm black pepper, make for an easily enjoyable experience. I would definitely fly to outer space with Johnny Tobacconaut again, and I suggest purchasing multiples of this cigar.

• Currently on the Dojoverse, this cigar has a “99% Smokable” rating, and has been checked-in/smoked 523 times.
• Johnny Tobacconaut was number 18 on the Cigar Dojo Cigar of the Year 2023 list.

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