Origin : Dominican Republic
Format : Perfecto
Size : 6 x 49
Wrapper : Connecticut Broadleaf
Filler : Nicaragua, Dom. Rep., Brazil
Binder : Honduras
Hand-Made
Price : $9 each
Produced by General Cigar, the Macanudo Vintage Maduro 1997 is the first cigar from the General Vintage line to wear a maduro wrapper. Not only is this the first maduro vintage, the Connecticut Broadleaf wrapper is 13 years old. Being the brainchild of General’s tobacco operations manager Edumundo Garcia, the vintage maduro 1997’s come packaged very different than your typical cigar. The cigars have a metal band near the head of the stick, which is referred to as “Reserva Dorado” (meaning gold reserve). The point of the metal ring is to not only catch the aficionado’s eye but to serve as a humidity gauge. That’s right! If the cigar starts to dry out the metal band will become loose, just as if the cigar is over humidified it will inflate like a balloon, squishing itself against the metal ring. Be aware though, once they have sold out of the cigars bearing the metal ring bands, the cigars will be marked with the normal Macanudo Vintage bands. So if you’re a collector you may want to hunt for them now.
The Macanudo Vintage Maduro is available in two sizes; 6 x 49 Perfecto, and 6 x 54 Toro, each available in boxes of twelve.
Excited to get this review started, the first thing that caught my eye was the unique metal band. The cigar also had a second band of red and gold at the foot displaying the name. The wrapper leaf was very dark, almost black with a veiny texture. The cap of this perfecto was perfectly pointed however the foot was very sloppy and the shoulder of the cigar not perfectly round. Pre-light smell was of cedar and wood with a tight cold draw showing signs of sweet wood and herbs.
Pre-light score: 7 pts.
The Macanudo Vintage Maduro 1997 opened somewhat dry with a nuttiness layering the front of my palate. Once over the shoulder the first third of this smoke displayed nice spicy, woodsy, cedary characters to go along with the nuttiness. This very slow burning cigar gave part to a thin white smoke and extreme white ash. What was very interesting is the taste the wrapper leaf was leaving on my lips. A very sweet, sugary taste almost like a clove cigarette… interesting.
Into the second third of the Macanudo Vintage Maduro the body of the cigar moved into the full range with copious amounts of white smoke. The taste turned to sweet sugar and fresh flowers/honeydew. The burn became wavy and uneven, so much so that I had to make touch-ups. The end of the second third however took another change with the cigar becoming meaty and thick on the palate.
The meaty heavy notes didn’t last long into the final third as the cigar moved into a crisp clean freshness with overtones of almonds/nuts. The burn and body remained uneven and full into the finale and the finish was long just as the rest of the smoking experience had been.
Smoking score: 7 pts.
My final thoughts of the Macanudo Vintage Maduro 1997 are overall good. I really enjoyed the size of the cigar and know how difficult it is to roll the pointed tip torpedo perfecto. Out of all the Macanudo Vintage series cigars I would have to say this one is by far my favorite. It showed complexity and character and I believe everyone can gain an enjoyable experience from this cigar. Just be aware that it is a very slow burner, so give yourself plenty of time to enjoy. Thumbs up from me!
Overall Experience score: 7 pts.
Macanudo Vintage Maduro 1997 Rating
Pre-Light: 7 pts.
Smoking: 7 pts.
Overall Experience: 7 pts.
