A maduro version of The Oscar made its debut at the IPCPR Convention & Trade Show 2017. This line extension swaps the original Ecuadorian habano wrapper with a Mexican San Andrés maduro while keeping the Honduran binder and Honduran and Nicaraguan filler.
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.
It comes in the same three sizes as the original, and again packed in 11-count boxes that resemble cigar molds:Robusto (5 x 50) — $11 (Box of 11, $121), Toro (6 x 52) — $12 (Box of 11, $132), 6 x 60 (6 x 60) — $13 (Box of 11, $143). All of the cigars are made at Valladares' factory in Danlí, Honduras and are distributed by Oscar Valladares & Co.
Vital Stats:
Vitola: Toro
Length: 6″
Ring Gauge: 52
Country of Origin: Nicaragua
Wrapper: San Andres Maduro
Binder: Honduran
Filler: Honduran & Nicaraguan
Factory: Valladares Factory
Blender: Oscar Valladeres
Number of reviewers: 5 – Steve (ThaGreatWazoo) Zane G. (Zane) John I. (John I.) Stefan (Stefan) Adam B. (Bushboy)
Price: $12.00
Age: 2 Months
Release Date: September 2017
Contributed by: Oscar Valladares & Co.
Initial Impressions
Appearance: 94
“Very nice looking cigar for this review. Clean lines, a nice triple cap, and clean foot. The cigar is a little tight, but the cold draw is fluid and appears to be ready to go.” –Steve (ThaGreatWazoo)
Aroma: 89
“Barnyard. Sweet notes resonate from the foot. The prelight draw confirms this sweetness. Cedar and nice easy draw.” –Adam B. (Bushboy)
Flavor: 94
Strength: Medium
Body/Complexity: Medium
“The first third started very clean with a nice full amount of smoke on the draw. The floral aroma subsided and the flavor profile consisted of a nice amount of oak wood, earthy tones, and a slight coffee finish. Very complex, but easily manageable. The smoke was thick with a nice amount of pepper aroma filling the outside air. The ash was tight and held firm and cooled the draw very nicely. An absolute great beginning to this smoke.” –Steve (ThaGreatWazoo)
“First few puffs and we have billows of smoke production. Starts of with a very strong taste of clove and a bit of coffee in there. Clove? What is this a Christmas ham? Tons of that floral/clove note through the retro as well with a touch of pepper. I am also getting a feint smokey bbq flavor as well. ” –Zane G. (Zane)
Second Third
Flavor: 91
Strength: Medium-Strong
Body/Complexity: Medium
“This candy bar just keeps on giving it up. Sweet caramel, molasses slowly dripping, and milk chocolate.
Dropped the ash neatly in the ashtray at the beginning of the third. It held together nicely and hit with a nice loud plop.
Deep into the second third there is some crisp leathery flavor developing. Still lots of sweetness on the finish, but a bit more crispy dryness.” –John I. (John I.)
“Smokey and savory. Each puff is making my mouth water. Sweet honey and molasses finish. Extremely nutty and chewy smoke. Burn has corrected and is near perfect. Fantastic, effortless draw. Looking forward to a strong finish.” –Adam B. (Bushboy)
“The final third immediately turned up the strength slightly. Heavier notes of pepper came through mixed in with nice wood flavors. The aroma thickened with a definite campfire feel. A great finish to this cigar.” –Steve (ThaGreatWazoo)
“Toasty nougat with a nutty finish. Fantastic burn. Slight buildup of tar on the cut which caused the nub to become a touch bitter. Flavors are still fantastic from the smoke however. ” –Adam B. (Bushboy)
Overall Impressions
Draw: 95
“The draw showed a little firmness through the entire smoke, which never got hot.” –Stefan (Stefan)
Burn: 90
“Burn was wavy through most of the burn, but never created any issues. Just wasn't the fabled “razor sharp” burn.” –John I. (John I.)
Construction: 93
“Construction of this cigar was great. No issues from the light to the end. ” –Zane G. (Zane)
“I really enjoyed every aspect of this cigar. If you like deeper flavored cigar with a nice pepper finish this is the one. Great build, with minimal need to track the burn. Sit back and truly enjoy the nuances that this cigar has to offer. Well done to the company.” –Steve (ThaGreatWazoo)
“What an easy cigar to smoke. Great flavor, transitions, and performance. For me it never really got above medium/medium plus on the strength. I can highly recommend this cigar. ” –Zane G. (Zane)
“This was a lot of fun, and very enjoyable up until the final third. The final third pretty much sucked, so that detracts significantly from the overall experience. Initially the sweetness was really enjoyable. Construction and overall operation was all on point. But the final third sucked. Gave up on this at about the point where the band would typically be.” –John I. (John I.)
“A crowd pleasing stogie that should appeal to most Maduro smokers.” –Stefan (Stefan)
“I really enjoyed the nutty flavors produced from this cigar. Strength was never overwhelming. I would have preferred a touch more transition in flavors, however this cigar was delicious from start to finish.” –Adam B. (Bushboy)
Smoking Time (in minutes): 77
Reviewer
Apr
Aro
1/3
2/3
3/3
Draw
Burn
Const
Ovr
All
Steve
93
95
95
90
92
95
95
92
95
Zane G.
95
88
95
92
92
90
90
92
92
John I.
95
88
95
90
90
95
90
92
90
Stefan
95
88
88
90
90
93
88
90
88
Adam B.
90
92
90
92
90
97
92
92
92
To view the complete scores and notes, click here.
"I really enjoyed every aspect of this cigar. If you like deeper flavored cigar with a nice pepper finish this is the one. Great build, with minimal need to track the burn. Sit back and truly enjoy the nuances that this cigar has to offer. Well done to the company." -Steve (ThaGreatWazoo)
