I have been looking forward to this one for a while! Maduros may be the most divisive Cuban cigars that are being sold today. I’ve heard so many differing opinions on these. Many say to avoid them entirely, but a lot of people seem to enjoy them. These are also very very rarely available online, so when I saw a single available at a B&M in London I knew I needed to pick one up and find out for myself.
Draw was perfect, it was just the right level of snug for me. First light comes with notes of dark roast Italian espresso, baker’s chocolate, and toasted rye bread. There’s some fudginess on deeper pulls. This reminds me of eating just the cookie part of an Oreo without the stuffing. Good notes so far, but there’s a sweetness missing to keep things balanced. Lighter pulls are leaning more towards white pepper and leather on the retro. The smoke output here is fantastic.
The burn line is a getting a bit wonky here. I’ve been noticing this with some Cubans as of late. The wrapper is not all the way snug with the binder so the wrapper ends up separating a bit. I gave it some time to self correct but I had to touch it up to keep it on track here. The rye note has shifted towards that classic Partagas toasted sourdough flavor. I’m still getting some bittersweet chocolate, and espresso in spades here. There’s some cayenne joining the white pepper on the retrohale.
I had to do one more touch up here to keep the burn line in check. The Cayenne has taken a definitive step forward in the blend. The profile is now really close to a spicy Aztec hot chocolate, but with a bit too much milk. The blend is rounded out, pretty well balanced, but the flavors aren’t necessarily popping out here. I’m also picking up on some almond and walnut in the background, and a bit of cinnamon spice on the retro.
With such a polarizing cigar I was really expecting to either love or hate it, but in the end I just don’t think it left a lasting impression. I feel like I’ve had other cigars do this profile, or a very similar profile better. The Tatuaje 15th Anniversary in Rosado comes to mind with the cayenne/chocolate/almond interplay. With it’s availability, and price taken into consideration I don’t see myself purchasing another one. Especially considering the construction issues. Overall the Partagas Serie D No. 4 feels like a more refined version of this blend, without the spice and strength.
