Cigar Info
The Sindicato Maduro was the fourth line from Sindicato Cigars and launched in 2014. The cigar is rolled at Aganorsa Leaf’s TABSA factory in Nicaragua and was blended by the late Arsenio Ramos.
This cigar was reviewed blind (no bands) by a panel of at least 4 reviewers. They did not know what they were smoking beforehand. The scores are an average of all the reviewers' scores with outliers removed. All of our cigars reviewed are shipped to the panelists with Boveda packs to ensure optimal smoking experience.
The blend for Sindicato Maduro was one of two blends original in contention for the first Sindicato line, the original won out, and the later was released as the Maduro version. The blend uses a San Andres Morrón wrapper from Alberto and Alejandro Turrent, double Nicaraguan binder from Estelí and Jalapa and Estelí fillers.
Vital Stats:
Vitola: Robusto
Length: 5″
Ring Gauge: 54
Country of Origin: Nicaragua
Wrapper: San Andres Morrón
Binder: Nicaragua
Filler: Nicaragua
Factory: Tabacos Vallé de Jalapa, S.A. (TABSA)
Blender: Arsenio Ramos
Number of reviewers: 4 – Alan (Eulogy) Mickey T. (irratebass) Ryan H. (Ryan H.) John A. (Bostoneo)
Price: $11.50
Age: 5 Months
Release Date: September 2014
Contributed by: Sindicato Cigars
Initial Impressions
Appearance: 93
“There’s a slight unevenness in the color of the wrapper. Some parts are more of a dark brick red hue and there are a few spots that are almost fudge brownie dark. Still, the little finishing touches of the cute nipple cap, soft box-press, and semi-closed foot all add a bit of class.” –Alan (Eulogy)
Aroma: 91
“Spicy stewed fruits with a leather shoe like lingering aftertaste sum up the wonderfully drawn cold draw. On the nose, scents of freshly hewn lumber, leather, chocolate and a slight hint of earthiness arouse the senses.” –John A. (Bostoneo)
First Third
Flavor: 89
Strength: Medium-Strong
Body/Complexity: Medium
“On the cold draw, I pick up chocolate, dried leaves, and just a touch of peanut butter. This is a very earthy/dirty cigar right out the gate. Lots of spice and pepper with coffee/tea on the finish that lingers a tad………WOW this is strong!” –Mickey T. (irratebass)
“Holy shit my nose is in fire and tears in my eyes. Habanero spice to start. A very dark but balanced profile includes lots of wood and earth and some leather through the nose. The burn is looking quite ugly but it’s staying lit. The draw is good. Leather notes developing quite nicely on the finish.” –Ryan H. (Ryan H.)
Second Third
Flavor: 90
Strength: Medium-Strong
Body/Complexity: Medium
“The red pepper has backed off a bit or my tongue is getting used to it. The strength from the first third has also dropped just a touch but I still feel the acidic feeling in my stomach. The profile has a bit more room to breathe now and a touch of sweet tobacco is occasionally coming through. Cedar, leather, and mild baking spice round out the draw.” –Alan (Eulogy)
“Most spice has subsided. Just sweet leather and rich earth with the wood notes playing with intensity. Seems like a completely different cigar than what I had first lit. once you get past the first quarter of the first third it improves dramatically. The burn is atrocious I feel we just have a combination of tobacco’s that just don’t burn well together.” –Ryan H. (Ryan H.)
Final Third
Flavor: 91
Strength: Medium-Strong
Body/Complexity: Medium
“Still the same rich oily notes of leather, pepper, cedar, and an occasional toasted nuttiness.” –Alan (Eulogy)
“Very consistent cigar with the wood leather and earth still remaining in the very balanced profile.” –Ryan H. (Ryan H.)
Overall Impressions
Draw: 89
“There’s a good amount of resistance but I find myself needing a few starting puffs to really produce a good smoke output.” –Alan (Eulogy)
Burn: 91
“I lost count of the corrections after about the 4th or 5th just had a horrible time with runs and divits it sure was a job trying g to get the most out of the stick.” –Ryan H. (Ryan H.)
Construction: 94
“No soft spots, tight seams, and the little touches gave it a lot of appeal. I’m sort of a sucker for box presses, slightly closed foots, and artistic caps though.” –Alan (Eulogy)
Overall Strength: Medium-Strong
Overall Body/Complexity: Medium
Experience Overall: 92
“A great cigar, if you’re looking for a full-bodied smoke in terms of flavor and strength. I’m glad I had something to eat just before smoking this as I think I would have been a bit overwhelmed at the beginning otherwise. I really liked the appearance and I found the smoke to have an almost chewy quality. I’d smoke this again.” –Alan (Eulogy)
“Despite all the issues I had with this cigar, I would smoke it again. It was a pain to baby, but I feel this cigar really offered something and would like to give it another fair chance.” –Mickey T. (irratebass)
“Loved the profile enjoyed the cigar. Burned like a mismanaged brush fire but with a well-balanced profile that I enjoyed I can’t complain and would actually buy and enjoy it again without any second thoughts.” –Ryan H. (Ryan H.)
“This medium-to-full profiled cigar will give you plenty of strong flavors to keep the most hardened enthusiast interested. Big bodied notes of chocolate, leather, wood, and pepper kept always in play at some level, while It burned on. Burn and construction were top-notch as this cigar slowly burnt and lasted a whole eighty minutes for a Robusto. It was a bit strong for me, but I am sure there are plenty of people who may enjoy this.” –John A. (Bostoneo)