Origin : Dominican Republic
Format : Corona
Size : 140 x 17 mm
Ring : 42
Binder : Mexican
Filler : Dominican
Hand-Made
Price : ~$6 each
Macanudo is one of the brands I was eager to try, since a lot of people are searching for “macanudo” here at Cigar Inspector. As soon as I had an opportunity, I got myself a few of Hampton Courts (tubos) for about 6 USD each. According to Leafy Times, the Robust line is the most interesting although I can’t say that I was impressed with this cigar.
Appearance : Rating: 
The wrapper is far from smooth, with very pronounced veins (they really stand out because of their darker color). I must admit this is not my favorite wrapper shade, I am more into milk chocolate.
Construction : Rating: 
Average construction. Although the light-up process was painless and I was getting a pretty good draw, the wrapper began unraveling (a little) 5 minutes later. Fine ash.
Flavor : Rating:
Disappointing. Tasted like a dry cigarette, very bland and the only flavor I could distinguish was average-quality tobacco. People I was with complained about the bad smell of this one (never happened to me before).
Value : Rating:
I would not recommend ever buying this one.
Overall Rating : Overall Rating:
The Macanudo Hampton Court disappointed me, I was expecting something much more interesting, especially considering that Macanudo is supposed to be a premium and very well-known brand.
This post was written by Denis aka Inspector, who founded CigarInspector.com back in 2007. Click here for his latest articles and more information.
I’ve never been real impressed with Macanudo cigars. I do like some of the milder ones in the morning if I’m gifted one, but I don’t go out of my way to buy one. What they have going for them here in the States is brand recognition if you someone buying cigars that typically doesn’t smoke, they’ll reach for these.
I had a Hampton Court recently at a ball and was also dissapointed. It didn’t burn evenly and i found i had to work hard on the draw, perhaps i didn’t light it correctly. I also found the taste bland and just like a machine made cigar.
I absolutely love this Macanudo Robust. I think anyone not enjoying it obviously got a bad stick. I buy these very often. This cigar to me has great natural flavors that are earthy and woody. It finishes up with a peppy spice. Sometimes this smoke may have a few burn issues but they are mostly caused by a poor light. I always come back to this cigar and enjoy it every time!
My brother-in-law gave me one of these. It was tubed and I think it must have been sitting on a shelf for a while somewhere. It was very dry. I hate to put a cigar down after I have only had one, but this just had harsh flavors.
Macanudo, love or hate their cigars, serves a role in cigar marketing and overall cigar consciousness. The robust was a decent cigar, for a generally mild smoke, but it served as a step towards smoking the heavier (and much tastier) Honduran and Nicaraguan maduros.
Macs are good casual/beginner cigars for folks with $$, but if they catch the fever, they’ll inevitably branch out to Montecristo, RyJ, and who knows, maybe Pepin Garcia-blended cigars.
The passion for cigars is a journey, and the Macanudo Robust is a mild, but pleasant, step along the way.
By the By, I’m glad that Macanudo didn’t give up on trying bolder blends, because the new Macanudo 1968 is a fantastic smoke. The price could be a little lower, but it IS a Macanudo after all.
Won a box of ten along with a hat at a local herf.
They gave me one to smoke as I walked in the door.
I was not impressed and used the box as give a ways when friends came over.
mac’s were a smooth starter stick, but no spice
I agree with St.Jimbob, Macanudos in general are a fine way for a new cigar smoker to enjoy a range of mild-strengthed cigars without blowing his/her doors off.
Definitely stronger than the Mac Gold and perhaps smoother overall, but other than that, a solid cigar. Definitely no beauty queen, and the burn was not even enough to impress, but my experience left me saying, I would not hesitate to light up another.