Is the My Father The Judge Grand Robusto a good cigar for beginners?

Ease into it. The fuller body can be a lot for a first-timer, so it's better once you've built up a little tolerance.

How strong is the My Father The Judge Grand Robusto?

The My Father The Judge Grand Robusto is Medium-Full-bodied. Strength is about body and nicotine rather than flavor, so eat something first and take it slow if you're sensitive.

What does the My Father The Judge Grand Robusto taste like?

Expect spice, roasted nuts, and cedar, leaning spice. Tasting notes are a guide — your palate may pick up more or less.

What is the My Father The Judge Grand Robusto's rating?

Published critic scores: Cigar Aficionado 98/100 (2024). Casa DNC aggregates third-party ratings and doesn't score cigars itself.

What pairs well with the My Father The Judge Grand Robusto?

It pairs well with espresso, aged rum, and bourbon. As a rule, match the drink's intensity to the cigar's medium-full body.

How long does it take to smoke the My Father The Judge Grand Robusto?

Plan on about 65 minutes for the grand robusto — longer if you smoke slowly, which keeps it cool and tasting its best.

My Father · The Judge

New WorldExperienced

My Father The Judge Grand Robusto

Cigar Aficionado's 2024 Cigar of the Year — a thick 5 x 60 Grand Robusto under a dark Ecuador Habano Oscuro wrapper, loaded with spice, nuts and cedar.

Strength

Medium-FullSmoke time ~65 min

The short answer

The My Father The Judge Grand Robusto is a richer, medium-to-full smoke — a Nicaragua grand robusto with a Ecuadorian Habano Oscuro (Sumatra-seed) wrapper. Expect spice, roasted nuts, and cedar. Critics rate it 98/100.

Flavor profile

Spice · Roast · Earthy · Sweet

Spice Roasted nuts Cedar Cocoa Black pepper

Critic ratings

Cigar Aficionado

2024

98/100

Scores as published by each reviewer. Casa DNC aggregates third-party ratings; we don't score cigars ourselves.

The verdict

The My Father The Judge Grand Robusto is a richer, medium-to-full smoke from My Father's The Judge line. It's a Nicaragua (New World) grand robusto wrapped in Ecuadorian Habano Oscuro (Sumatra-seed) at 5 in × 60.

On the palate, expect spice, roasted nuts, and cedar, leaning spice. Plan on roughly 65 minutes from light to nub.

It's well regarded: Cigar Aficionado rated it 98/100 in 2024. It pairs naturally with espresso, aged rum, and bourbon. If you're newer to cigars, work up to this one rather than starting here.

The Judge is one of the García family's bolder modern lines, and the Grand Robusto — a chunky 5 x 60 — was named Cigar Aficionado's 2024 Cigar of the Year. It's built on a dark Ecuadorian Habano Oscuro (Sumatra-seed) wrapper over a double Nicaraguan binder of Corojo and Criollo, with a three-tobacco Nicaraguan filler.

What it tastes like

This is a flavor-packed, spice-forward smoke true to the family's roots. Expect heavy notes of spice, roasted nuts, and cedar, with cocoa and a black-pepper bite, finishing long and smooth. The big 60 ring gauge keeps things cool and gives the blend room to spread out. It lands at medium-full — rich and assertive but balanced, never rough. Construction is excellent, with a slow even burn and a draw that handles the wide format well.

Who it's for

The fuller body and thick ring gauge suit experienced smokers who want a substantial, flavorful cigar. As a Nicaraguan-grown smoke with a dark wrapper, it fits both our Cuban vs Nicaraguan and Maduro vs Connecticut comparisons. New to gauging boldness? See our cigar strength guide.

Give it an unhurried evening with an espresso or bourbon, then log and rate it in the Casa DNC app.

Curious how it stacks up? See Cuban vs Nicaraguan cigars.

My Father The Judge Grand Robusto — frequently asked

Is the My Father The Judge Grand Robusto a good cigar for beginners?: Ease into it. The fuller body can be a lot for a first-timer, so it's better once you've built up a little tolerance.
How strong is the My Father The Judge Grand Robusto?: The My Father The Judge Grand Robusto is Medium-Full-bodied. Strength is about body and nicotine rather than flavor, so eat something first and take it slow if you're sensitive.
What does the My Father The Judge Grand Robusto taste like?: Expect spice, roasted nuts, and cedar, leaning spice. Tasting notes are a guide — your palate may pick up more or less.
What is the My Father The Judge Grand Robusto's rating?: Published critic scores: Cigar Aficionado 98/100 (2024). Casa DNC aggregates third-party ratings and doesn't score cigars itself.
What pairs well with the My Father The Judge Grand Robusto?: It pairs well with espresso, aged rum, and bourbon. As a rule, match the drink's intensity to the cigar's medium-full body.
How long does it take to smoke the My Father The Judge Grand Robusto?: Plan on about 65 minutes for the grand robusto — longer if you smoke slowly, which keeps it cool and tasting its best.

More cigars like this

My Father

Medium-Full

Don Pepín García Black Label 1979 Robusto

Don Pepín's 'Cuban Classic' Black Label in the 5 x 50 1979 Robusto — a Nicaraguan puro built on Cuban-seed tobacco with earth, cedar and cocoa.

Nicaragua · Nicaraguan Habano Rosado

My Father

Medium-Full

Jaime García Reserva Especial Toro

Jaime García's personal blend in a 6 x 54 Toro — a dark, oily Connecticut Broadleaf over aged Nicaraguan tobacco with cocoa, espresso and cedar.

Nicaragua · Connecticut Broadleaf

My Father

Medium-Full

My Father El Centurion Toro

A 6.25 x 52 Nicaraguan puro from the García family under a 3-year-aged sun-grown Criollo wrapper — cedar, a touch of honey, and balanced spice.

Nicaragua · Nicaraguan Sun-Grown Criollo

My Father The Judge Grand Robusto head-to-head

See how My Father The Judge Grand Robusto stacks up against similar cigars — strength, flavor, and ratings.

vs Illusione Garagiste Robusto→vs Illusione Garagiste Toro→vs Aging Room Quattro Nicaragua Sonata Maestro→vs AJ Fernandez Bellas Artes Toro→