General Cigar released three new Macanudo’s at the 2019 IPCPR convention, Macanudo Palladium, M Bourbon by Macanudo, and Macanudo Heritage Nuevo. Macanudo Heritage Nuevo is a tweaked version of the Macanudo Café blend, replacing the U.S.A. Connecticut shade wrapper with an Ecuadorian Connecticut shade wrapper, and adding Nicaraguan tobacco in the filler. The Ecuadorian Connecticut wrapper comes from an independent grower in the Los Rios province.
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.
General Cigar says this is the first of many Macanudo blends that will see the re-imagined treatment. It comes in three vitolas: Robusto (5 x 50) – $12.99, Toro (6 x 52) – $13.99, and Churchill (7 x 50) – $14.99.
Vital Stats:
Vitola: Toro Length: 6″ Ring Gauge: 52 Country of Origin: Dominican Republic Wrapper: Ecuador Connecticut Shade Binder: Mexican San Andres Filler: Dominican Republic, Nicaragua, Mexico Factory: General Cigar Dominicana Blender: Jhonys Diaz Number of reviewers: 5 – Ryan H.(Ryan H.) John A.(Bostoneo) Mickey T.(irratebass) James H.(Keikan Jim) Doug S.(Unpossible_1) Price: $13.99 Age: 5 Months Release Date: October 2019 Contributed by: General Cigar
Initial Impressions
Appearance: 93
“A light tanned wrapper adorns this well constructed robusto cigar. With a near flawless appearance, veins and seams are well hidden. No soft spots make for great construction.” –John A. (Bostoneo)
Aroma: 90
“This cigar has a nice leather and doughy aroma from the wrapper and a sweet spice blend like sugar and cinnamon from the foot. I think this will be one tasty smoke.” –James H. (Keikan Jim)
First Third
Blind Cigar Review: Macanudo | Heritage Nuevo Toro
Flavor: 93 Strength: Medium Body/Complexity: Light-Medium
“Very light creamy and woody profile with a tiny bit of heat. A very good draw and some coriander or a light cinnamon taste is left after a draw.” –Ryan H. (Ryan H.)
“Cold draw is Honey coated almonds, I’m a little shocked as I don’t typically get that much sweetness off a cold draw. I light it up and get things underway. First few puffs are more of the sweetened almonds, with the back-end offering of subtle spice almost wasabi like but not quite that much punch. There’s such a mild warmth behind the sweetness, it’s confusing my palate into submission. I’m in complete satisfaction currently and that doesn’t happen very often. Let’s see how long it holds up. Retro is more subtle spice.” –Doug S. (Unpossible_1)
Second Third
Flavor: 92 Strength: Mild-Medium Body/Complexity: Medium
Blind Cigar Review: Macanudo | Heritage Nuevo Toro
“This cigar is getting rather creamy, and I couldn’t be happier. The earthy and cedar notes have all left for the moment, and I’m just getting a really buttery/creamy and very smooth cigar.” –Mickey T. (irratebass)
“Things start to ramp up now, which is a delight. The sweet and spice combo has become a fresh piece of spice cake just like grandma used to make! Cinnamon, nutmeg, cloves…they’re all there, all cozy in a blanket of sweetness. Need a little more spice to offset the sweetness? Try that retro on for size! Baking spices all the way. Straight up complementary and so balanced.” –Doug S. (Unpossible_1)
Final Third
Flavor: 92 Strength: Medium Body/Complexity: Medium
“The final third was much the same as the second third with bready notes and some baking spice, however, a slightly charred note appeared at the very end which in my experience is normal in many light bodied cigars. Overall I really enjoyed this cigar. ” –James H. (Keikan Jim)
Blind Cigar Review: Macanudo | Heritage Nuevo Toro
“Not much change in the flavor profile in this third, but not complaining. Every other sip gave me earth tones then the creamy/butter nuances…….why can’t all cigars do this? ” –Mickey T. (irratebass)
Overall Impressions
Draw: 94
“The draw on this cigar was nearly perfect from the dry draw until I put this cigar down.” –James H. (Keikan Jim)
Burn: 95
“Even with the wind going outside, the burn never strayed. Fantastic!” –Doug S. (Unpossible_1)
Construction: 95
“Excellent construction!!! burned to less than an inch and I could’ve still went on a few more sips. Lots of smoke with no heat.” –Mickey T. (irratebass)
Overall Strength: Medium Overall Body/Complexity: Medium Experience Overall: 95
“Box worthy cigar very light in the early stages but picks up as you go. A wonderful profile to wake up to. Profile is very consistent.” –Ryan H. (Ryan H.)
“This was a relatively fast smoker! While the profile remained 90% true throughout the entire smoke, it wasn’t bad although it wasn’t anything new, unique or intriguing. That being said i probably would pick something different to smoke as it smoked like any basic Connecticut wrapped stick.” –John A. (Bostoneo)
“Wow! This was a fantastic cigar! The cigar really didn’t show its true colors until the second third, but that’s fine. In the second third I got that wonderful creamy/buttery flavors. Then in the final third every other sip the cigar really surprised me with earthy tones (no spice) of wood then followed up with cream and butter. This is definitely a box purchase in my future. Would love to pair this with morning coffee as my first cigar of the day….. I’d go even further and say it could be my last cigar of the day too.” –Mickey T. (irratebass)
“I am usually not a big fan of Connecticut shade cigars. That being said, I really enjoyed this one. Although it was mild in strength, there was just enough spice and shifts to keep me interested. If you enjoy a smooth and buttery cigar this may be for you. Pair with coffee and cream or a non pleated Scotch whisky.” –James H. (Keikan Jim)
“After having an insane day at work, this cigar was just what the doctor ordered. Baking spices and sweet tobacco, married together in perfect unison. All the stress of the day is just gone. You can’t ask for anything more than that from a cigar.” –Doug S. (Unpossible_1)
To view the complete scores and notes, click here.
Blind Cigar Review: Macanudo | Heritage Nuevo Toro
Overall Score – 94 – Excellent
Blind Cigar Review: Macanudo | Heritage Nuevo Robusto
Summary
"Wow! This was a fantastic cigar! The cigar really didn't show its true colors until the second third, but that's fine. In the second third I got that wonderful creamy/buttery flavors. Then in the final third every other sip the cigar really surprised me with earthy tones (no spice) of wood then followed up with cream and butter. This is definitely a box purchase in my future. Would love to pair this with morning coffee as my first cigar of the day..... I'd go even further and say it could be my last cigar of the day too." -Mickey T. (irratebass)
