My Weekend Cigar Review: Underrated by Luciano Cigars

Underrated: The Challenge of Being an Unexpected Pleasure

“The story of Underrated is about surprise – the unexpected pleasure of discovering something remarkable where one least expects it,” says Luciano Meirelles, president and founder of Luciano Cigars. And since so-called “celebrity cigars” can risk being seen with some skepticism, Underrated partner, former NBA star Ron Harper, stayed out of the spotlight at first to let the cigar stand on its own.

“In every stage of my career, I’ve seen firsthand how the unexpected can harbor greatness,” said Harper. “This partnership is an homage to those moments and to everyone who revels in the joy of discovering the exceptional in the unanticipated.”

Offered in four popular sizes, Underrated cigars feature a dark Mexican San Andrés wrapper, Nicaraguan binder, and fillers including Ecuador Habano, Connecticut Broadleaf—used mostly for wrapper—and bold Nicaraguan medio tiempo.

Added Harper, “When you defy expectations, you have a chance to delight in the underrated!”

Cigar Details:

Factory: Luciano Cigars Factory – Esteli, Nicaragua
Size: 5½” x 50
Body & Strength: Medium
Wrapper: Mexican San Andrés
Binder: Nicaraguan
Filler: Ecuador Habano, Connecticut Broadleaf, & 2021 Nicaraguan Pueblo Nuevo medio tiempo.
Flavor profile: Earthy, nutty, spicy

Presented in boxes of 20

Underrated by Luciano Cigars Robusto Extra Cigar Review

Both of my samples were seamlessly rolled and quite firm with a textbook cap and a comfortable feel. The San Andrés wrapper had an even milk chocolate color head to toe. I didn’t get much aroma off the wrapper, but the base had an herbal fragrance. The cap cut well resulting in a very good cold draw that offered a combination of light cocoa and fruit tartness.

The cigar lit easily. The opening puffs were mostly earthy in taste followed by a bold shot of pepper. Thick, creamy smoke developed, also on the earthy side in flavor, but with much less pepper on the finish. The cigar was burning perfectly at about 3/4 of an inch, revealing the first firm, grey ash.

By inch two things started to get interesting. Flavors of baking spices were led mostly by nutmeg with a faint hint of sweetness. The cigar had settled into a smooth smoke with medium-bodied strength and flavors of mostly nutmeg, earth, and white pepper. Suddenly, the top flavors diminished as an increase in pepper washed over them.

At the midsection, the pepper settled down again; it came and went—most likely the medio tiempo—and some nuttiness entered the fray. Nutmeg was back, too, this time with cinnamon. Still with a fair amount of earth in the mix, the flavors were balanced and more nuanced as the pepper moved offstage.

In the last two inches the cigar turned earthy again. It was an interesting ride as the cigar proved very manageable and performed well overall.

Was Underrated Weekend Worthy?

Ask any devoted cigar smoker what cigars they think are “underrated,” and no doubt, they’ll have at least a few. As for the Underrated Robusto Extra, its medium strength and very reasonable price will make it attractive to many, but I found this blend very nuanced and more of an acquired taste. After all, it was made for Ron Harper’s palate, so a fair amount of experience would be reasonable.

As I noted in my recent Fonseca Edition MX review, the Mexican San Andrés wrapper did not have that familiar sweetness. I found no reference to “Maduro” in Luciano’s blend info either, but it probably comes down to how the wrapper was fermented. Conversely, it could be that the heartier core tobaccos override the San Andrés’ naturally sweet elements.

Most of the time Underrated stays under the boards, but it also makes its share of three-pointers, so it’s certainly worth a try.

Please Note: Gary’s review was based on his experience, so your mileage may vary.