Crux Cigars started shipping the CruxEpicure Maduro in May of 2019. This is a maduro version their 2016 Epicure which used a Connecticut shade wrapper. This new blend has a Mexican San AndresMaduro with Nicaraguan binder and filler. This cigar was originally called the Epicure Galant but the name was changed to do a trademark issue and is now made at a different factory. This is the first cigar from the company not to be rolled at Plasencia Cigars S.A.
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.
Epicure Maduro and is made at Tabacalera AJ Fernandez Cigars de Nicaragua S.A. The CruxEpicure Maduro is made in three sizes: 5 x 50 Robusto – $10.00 per cigar, 6.25 x 52 Robusto Extra – $10.75 per cigar, 5.75 x 54 Toro – $11.50 per cigar. All are sold in boxes of 10.
“This cigar is wrapped in a very attractive dark brown wrapper with a nice satin oily sheen. There is a little bit of tooth throughout. There is one visible vein running the length of the cigar, but the seams are invisible, as are the seams on the cap. The cigar seems packed very well, with just the slightest amount of give from foot to cap” –Kevin A. (Kevin A.)
Aroma: 90
“Faint barnyard note on the foot with a more dominate level of rich tobacco and mild pepper. I’m finding a pretty heavy note of tanned leather on the predraw with just a touch of barnyard at the end.” –Alan (Eulogy)
First Third
Flavor: 93 Strength: Medium Body/Complexity: Medium-Full
“There’s a lot of red pepper heat right out the gate. It’s somewhat aggressive and making it hard to pick out other flavors in the blend. I find an occasional touch of bitter chocolate and a hint of grain on the draw. The retrohale is another mighty blast of red pepper but it is slightly cut by a floral note. After about an inch, there’s a coffee and nuttiness that starts to become much more front and center but it’s still a pretty spicy cigar. ” –Alan (Eulogy)
“Sharp, tingling black pepper immediately floods your nose upon ignition. On the draw there’s a subtle touch of earthiness but it’s initially overshadowed by a strong leather component front and center. At about the one inch mark a metallic note introduces itself and I’m not opposed to it one bit.” –Matt Cade (CADE)
Second Third
Flavor: 89 Strength: Medium-Strong Body/Complexity: Medium
“Black coffee, rich leather, slightly subdued pepper, and grain make up the bulk of this third. There’s a note of heavy cream and comes and goes but it’s certainly not a main player.” –Alan (Eulogy)
“As the cigar moves along, one thing that is surprising is the softness of the ash. I wore a small part @ 3/4” mark and it fell again setting the cigar down just getting into the second part of the cigar. Coffee and leather are now the prominent notes, with the sweetness of the salted caramel and toffee fading into the background, though still detectable on the finish. The black pepper on the retrohale has really mellowed out and is very smooth. Burn went a little wonky, but the draw opened up to that “almost perfect” point. ” –Kevin A. (Kevin A.)
“The red pepper is starting to sneak up in strength again. It’s not overly spicy like the first third but I definitely know it’s there. Rich coffee, grain, heavy cream, and leather are all still there from the previous two thirds too. ” –Alan (Eulogy)
“Coming to the end, a mineral note enters the game, along with a hint of cedar with anise being the last note to hit the tongue. The coffee and leather have kicked up in intensity slightly putting the cigar right at the top of the medium full range. The cedar also joins the black pepper on the retrohale, which has also increased in intensity. The cigar required a slight touchup to even out the burn towards the end, but had been excellent up to that point. ” –Kevin A. (Kevin A.)
Overall Impressions
Draw: 95
“Perfect draw from beginning to end. No relight needed.” –Sean F. (fullermaine)
Burn: 94
“A bit wavy at times, but the burn would otherwise self-correct.” –Isaac M. (The Nothing)
Construction: 95
“Expertly crafted. The seams were almost invisible, the wrapper was blemish free, I couldn’t find any soft spots or bulges, and the draw was perfect. Looked like it should have had a glamour shot.” –Alan (Eulogy)
“It’s a fantastic cigar. I’m not going to say it will wow you with it’s dynamic profile changes because it won’t. The flavors are the same from beginning to end but they’re crisp and bold the entire time. It just does so many things right that it’s impossible not to recommend and if I was after a great experience that I was just wanting to relax and enjoy smoking I would reach for again and again. ” –Alan (Eulogy)
“After the cigar settled from lighting, I knew exactly what to expect from puff to puff. I found it enjoyable, despite the monotony. It could easily pair with a light meal. In fact, I was thinking of a grilled chicken caesar salad and a refreshing lager as I smoked this, and envisioned it working well. When we find out what this is, I might just try that.” –Isaac M. (The Nothing)
“Just a nice simple cigar. The notes of cherry, leather, and cocoa made this a nice relaxing smoke. A few sticks would balance out your humidor nicely.” –Sean F. (fullermaine)
“While not a complex stogie, and featuring very little in the way of transitions other than the retrohale shifts, I still enjoyed this impressively constructed cigar. It’s a straight forward shooter and, for those that are willing to blow some smoke out of there nose occasionally, I can see others enjoying it as well.” –Matt Cade (CADE)
“All in all I was a fan of this cigar from the pre-light on. It was full of flavor from the first few puffs, with good transitions during the smoking experience. It was definitely on the upper end of the medium plus categories in strength and body, and would be best enjoyed by experienced smokers. This cigar would pair well with an iced coffee and sweet cream, lower proof bourbon or a Pilsner beer. I can see these in my humidor as part of my regular rotation. ” –Kevin A. (Kevin A.)
Smoking Time (in minutes): 67
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"It's a fantastic cigar. I'm not going to say it will wow you with it's dynamic profile changes because it won't. The flavors are the same from beginning to end but they're crisp and bold the entire time. It just does so many things right that it's impossible not to recommend and if I was after a great experience that I was just wanting to relax and enjoy smoking I would reach for again and again. " -Alan (Eulogy)
