Casa Magna Domus Magnus Limitada Optimus

Overall Score

1 review for Casa Magna Domus Magnus Limitada Optimus

  1. Aaron

    Casa Magna Domus Magnus Limitada Optimus

    Origin : NicaraguaCasa Magna
    Format : Robusto
    Size : 5.75 x 52
    Wrapper : Sun Grown Jalapa
    Filler : Nicaragua
    Binder : Nicaragua
    Hand-Made
    Price : $8.90 each

    A cigar that made most people’s Top 25 of 2011 list, the Domus Magnus just missed the mark on my own. The critics were gasped when the Casa Magna topped the list at CA back in 2008. I really thought the Casa Magna Colorado from 2008 was a truly polished cigar, but nowhere near the top of the tobacco heap. Then Quesada and Casa Magna came out with the Domus Magnus this last year proving the hype behind Casa Magna was not a fluke, and with their best efforts, put out the best Casa Magna ever (in my honest opinion).

    Appearance : [rating:4.5/5]
    The Optimus has a Colorado brown wrapper that has minimal veins and firm box press. The label is the new eye catching yellow and red band with “Domus Magnus Limitada” distinguishing it from the other Casa Magna cigars. No imperfections anywhere on the cigar. It is capped off with a fairly long nippled end and adorned with a foot band as well. Cigar smells of bitter sweet chocolate and light leather.

    Construction : [rating:4.5/5]
    The cigar was surprisingly hard to squeeze and had hardly any give to the wrapper which is unusual for box presses. Some light oiliness covers the wrapper. Getting the foot to burn took a little extra heat but once lit the cigar burned quite straight with 1 or 2 touch ups and dropped off 1 ½ inch chunks of salt and pepper ash. The draw on the cigar was perfectly firm but not a whole lot of smoke can be pulled with each puff (it was enough but I would like more smoke).

    Flavor : [rating:4/5]
    After torching the foot, I was hit with some soapiness and some astringency. After four or five puffs this blew off and some slightly sweet straight tobacco flavors came out back ended by a touch of cognac/rum.

    1st Third: The retrohale is very fragrant and slightly floral with leather notes. The cigar hits around the medium bodied range from the start and the smoke feels quite light and clean on the palate. Not a whole lot of pepper anywhere to be found. Relatively a sleeper through most of the 1st third, it livens up and punches the palate and sinuses, near the end of the first third, with some leather and spiced meatiness,… now we are rolling!

    While smoking this cigar, one may notice a high amount of acidity that lends itself to tasting a little like coconut crème or lemon meringue (?), which is the closest thing I can compare it too. The acidity is a little unsettling and kind of hides some underlying flavors. I get the feeling that these sticks may be a little young and would shine with a year or two of sleep under their belt.

    2nd Third: Coffee bean and bitter chocolate flavors continue and are still backed with noticeable amounts of acidity and saltiness. This is where the cigar is reminiscent of its cheaper cousin, the Casa Magna Colorado. But that is as far as the comparisons get to its award winning kin, because the end of 2nd third hits me with some significant amounts of pepperiness in combo with dark chocolate and coffee bean.

    3rd Third: Ooooo yea! I like what I get now. The draw opens up and I can get more smoke now, plus the flavors are simple and amped up. Maltiness is the key flavor now with the other flavors from the last part of the second third,… A nice finish for a roller coaster of a cigar.

    Value : [rating:4/5]
    For the money this is spot on. Sub $9 for a premium smoke from a cigar maker with credentials is not much to ask for these days. Even better is that these can be had in boxes of ten which cuts down on one’s commitment of large down payment for a taste.

    Overall Rating : [rating:4/5]
    I’m a little perplexed. I have a hard time giving this stick a high rating because I just feel that this cigar is a little awkward and just plain off. The flavors are all over the place which is good, but the bad thing is that they aren’t very cohesive. The acidity is kinda annoying and makes me feel that these will need some age. But considering that previous statement, this cigar has plenty of flavors to last awhile and should age beautifully. With more time I see the flavors marrying more and becoming more mature and complex instead of a pestering little child missing his dose of Ritalin.

    Helpful?
    0 0
    • Northern Lights

      Enjoyed this smoke quite a bit. Pair it in any size with a nice single malt scotch, and the next hour or so of your life will be a little better! Cheers!

    • Jculbreth

      Smoked a couple of Primus out of the box. I agree, they probably need some humidor time. All in all, another quality smoke by the folks at Casa Magna

    • Carp

      Maybe it was the smaller size but for me the larger Primus was absolutely fantastic, good enough I bought a box. Which is significant because I do not buy boxes regularly, or even often, infact I’ve bought 4 boxes of cigars since I’ve started smoking cigars 3 years ago heh.

    • chekk12

      I picked up a couple boxes of these based on so many good reviews.But I thought I should have picked up a couple of singles first after I smoked a few.I will take your advice and let them sit for a year or so.Your take was spot on.

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Cigar Region Nicaragua
Filler Nicaragua
Wrapper Sun Grown Jalapa
Binder Nicaragua
Length 5 3/4
Ring Gauge 52
Vitola Robusto
Construction Hand Made
Price Paid $8.90