Earlier this year Macanudo announced another extension to their Inspirado line: Red. This is supposed to be the boldest of the line.
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 uses an Ecuadoran Habano ligero wrapper and blended with Nicaraguan fillers including twelve-year aged Nicaraguan Ometepe, ten-year aged Honduran Jamastran and five-year-aged Nicaraguan Esteli, and a Jalapa binder. MacanudoInspirado Red is rolled at STG Esteli in Nicaragua and was made available throughout the U.S. March 26th. The cigar comes in three vitolas presented in 20-count boxes: Robusto: 5 by 50 (box pressed) – SRP per cigar is $6.49, Toro: 6 by 50 – SRP per cigar is $6.99, Gigante: 6 by 60 – SRP per cigar is $7.49.
“This might sound silly but this is a cute little cigar! The box press feel is always a enjoyable and good looking to me. The cigar has a nice variable brown suede look to it with muted oils. The cap is well constructed and placed nicely. The filler looks well filled but not too tight. I'm anxious to try this stick.” –Diana (ArmyRN)
Aroma: 89
“Wrapper had an aroma of sweet tobacco. The foot had the kitchen spice aroma. On the cold draw I got some hay flavors but they were subtle.” –Daniel S. (Daniel S.)
First Third
Flavor: 88
Strength: Medium
Body/Complexity: Medium
“The cigar had an initial bitterness which drowned out the main profile but this subsided about a quarter-inch into the stick. The bitterness is still there but it has subsided behind the leather, tea, cedar, and dark espresso notes. The burn on this cigar has been a bit wavy and uneven, requiring a touchup during the first-third, but otherwise the smoke output and construction has been really good. The retrohale has a bitter coco and espresso note that is really pleasant and complementary of the main profile. ” –Jeff (ExpendableYouth)
“I didn't get the sweet that I thought maybe was there but it is a nice dash of cocoa out of the gate and there is a hint of leather. Retro produced some pepper. But alas the cigar seems to have sputtered and stalled. It sort of got mundane for me with not much complexity. Flavor is ok but not enough for my palette. I'm hoping for progression.” –Diana (ArmyRN)
Second Third
Flavor: 88
Strength: Medium
Body/Complexity: Medium
“I was about half way into the second third before I knew it and the flavors showed no change from the first third, just a build up of body. ” –Isaac M. (The Nothing)
“As I am getting into the middle third the sweetness is coming through more and I am also getting some toasted nut flavors on the draw.” –Daniel S. (Daniel S.)
“The final-third has been the best overall. The bitterness of the earlier thirds has mostly receded but is still noticeable as an overall component of the espresso note. The cedar, mineral, and pepper are still present but a slight sweetness has appeared and is rounding the profile out nicely. The retrohale has a rich tobacco and woodiness which is a transition from the earlier thirds. ” –Jeff (ExpendableYouth)
“Lots of coffee with dark caramel are apparent toward the end. Such a great smoke. I've enjoyed this tremendously.
The flavor has continued to built in richness without becoming overpowering, and there's absolutely no harshness or bitterness. Great work here. ” –John I. (John I.)
Overall Impressions
Draw: 90
“The draw was great and had the perfect amount of resistance.” –Daniel S. (Daniel S.)
Burn: 89
“The cigar has a light ash that is fluffy and ashes on its own. There were no touch ups needed and the burn line was crisp. ” –Diana (ArmyRN)
Construction: 93
“Undoubtedly this cigar had a good look to it, and I could find no flaws with its construction. ” –Isaac M. (The Nothing)
Overall Strength: Medium-Strong
Overall Body/Complexity: Medium
Experience Overall: 88
“I enjoyed this cigar, it did not wow me but but there was really nothing bad that stuck out either. Some bitterness came through at the end but I feel that is from the cigar being young. The overall flavors were pretty subtle but I would say that is also due to the cigar being young. The flavors I got were good and know with time this could be a really good cigar.” –Daniel S. (Daniel S.)
“I'd happily smoke these all the time. Big flavor without being obnoxious. Nice balance between potency and subtly. The sweetness was perfect while it lasted, and it subsided at just the right moment to move into fuller roasted flavors for the finale. Loved it. ” –John I. (John I.)
“If you could roll up an espresso stout into a cigar, it would probably be a lot like this one. Cocoa nibs and coffee permeated the cigar from start to finish, with little else going on other than an increase of body. The flavors were good, but there was little to keep me interested for long.” –Isaac M. (The Nothing)
“The cigar started out overly bitter but as it progressed the underlying profile began to shine through. It really wasn't until the last third that the cigar really started to shine with notes of tea, espresso, mineral, cedar, and intermittent sweetness that I could never quite put my finger on. This is one of those cigars that I wish I had a second one to review to see if I could better gauge the overall experience since I feel that there was a lot of promise but something just didn't quite click for me. ” –Jeff (ExpendableYouth)
“This is a solid smoke but just not complex enough for me. I think it would be a good cigar for a quick relaxation time but just not flavorful enough for my palette. The flavors were good but just did it come forward enough to satisfy me.” –Diana (ArmyRN)
“If you could roll up an espresso stout into a cigar, it would probably be a lot like this one. Cocoa nibs and coffee permeated the cigar from start to finish, with little else going on other than an increase of body. The flavors were good, but there was little to keep me interested for long.” –Isaac M. (The Nothing)
