Rojas Street Tacos Barbacoa Robusto
Posted on April 23 2021
Vitola: 5x50 | Smoking Time: 75 min | Cigars Smoked: 4 | Body: Medium | MSRP: $8
Wrapper: Sumatran | Binder/Filler: Nicaraguan
Rojas has a simple saying: "Small Ring Gauges Only." Deemed Kings of Small Gauge cigars. The Street Tacos Barbacoa is part one of a three-part series, wrapped in Sumatran leaf.
Visual Inspection: Dark marbled brown Sumatran wrapper with ample tooth, a pleasant aroma, and a nice oil sheen. Semi-closed foot with no soft spots. Foot aromas: brown sugar, charred meat, earth, and nuts. Cold draw: barnyard, nuts, wood.
First Third: Charred meat and brown sugar blast through on first light — tastes remarkably like the outside of a perfectly smoked brisket. Beautiful white ash with tooth translating into the ash. Some drooping but firm overall. Smoke smells of nuts and burning cedar while still retaining the charred meat character.
Second Third: Profile shifts to chestnut-forward while charred meat takes the back seat. Brown sugar still lingers. Consistent and complex for the price point. Heavy smoke with heavy flavors but limited variance.
Final Third: Chestnut, charred cedar, charred meat, and brown sugar continue. Burn line improves significantly. Strong char notes come through more than before. Retrohale finally brings light salt and pepper into the profile for the first time.
Final Thoughts: If any cigar is going to make you crave a taco, this is the one. When we first got these in, we ordered tacos and started the party. Rojas is a new company to me but a favorite among those who know them. Keep an eye out for restocks!
-Sam
Frequently asked questions
What is the Street Tacos line about?
Rojas’s Street Tacos line is inspired by their love of food culture and the social nature of both tacos and cigars. The Barbacoa is the bolder of the series — earthy, rich, and savory-adjacent in flavor, matching its namesake dish.
Is Rojas known for a particular vitola?
Yes — Rojas is self-described as the "King of Small Ring Gauges," intentionally focusing on smaller formats to deliver more concentrated, filler-prominent flavors. The Barbacoa Robusto at 5x50 sits at the wider end of their typical range.
What does the Rojas Barbacoa taste like?
The Sumatran wrapper delivers earth, sweet spice, and mild cedar. Medium body throughout — accessible for intermediate smokers but complex enough to hold an experienced smoker’s attention over 75 minutes.