Luciano Mas Igneus Short Robusto – Blind Cigar Review

Cigar Info

Luciano Cigars (formerly Ace Prime) released a new regular production line at the PCA Trade show earlier this year designed to pair with wine. The cigar is named after Luciano Cigar's partner and award winning winery located in the Priorat, Spain: Mas Igneus. The phrase is a Catalan expression that can be translated as “House of Ignition.” When creating the blend fors the Luciano Mas Igneus, the goal was to create a cigar with a balanced PH, medium-full taste profile and at the same time retain the traditional signature profile of its blender Luciano Meirelles: strength without aggression.

The company offers this description: This cigar features notes of dark chocolate and oak with a creamy smoke texture, a carefully crafted cigar for any situation. The intention was to develop a cigar that is both an extraordinary stand alone experience, as well as a perfect match for the “M” wine from the traditional Mas Igneus Winery. Its balanced PH makes it possible to also pair with dense wines such Malbecs, Cabernet Sauvignon, Granaches, Shiraz and Bordeaux.

Luciano Meirelles kept a friendship with the owners of Mas Igneus, Ornella Valcke, Jerome Valcke for many years before becoming partners. The Mas Igneus Winery is located in the heart of Priorat, in one of the most exclusive wine-growing regions in the world, just 80 miles North of Barcelona, Spain. This is not the first collaboration between Mas Igneus and ACE Prime. At the end of 2021, ACE Prime launched a wine produced by Mas Igneus to be paired with the Luciano – The Dreamer cigar.

The blend for Mas Igneus uses a Corojo 98 Ecuadorian High Prime wrapper, Brazilian Binder. and Nicaraguan fillers. It comes in four sizes: Short Robusto 4 ½ x 50 $11.95, Toro 6 x 52 $12.45, Ancho 5 x 54 $12.95, and Excellente 6 x 60 $13.45.

Vital Stats:

Vitola: Robusto
Length: 4 1/2″
Ring Gauge: 50
Country of Origin: Nicaragua
Wrapper: Ecuadorian Corojo 98
Binder: Brazil
Filler: Nicaragua
Factory: Luciano Cigar Factory
Blender: Luciano Meirelles
Number of reviewers: 5 – Estevan Z. (TheRealBanzi) Kevin A. (Kevin A.) Lauren S. (Lauren S.) Kevin J. (maninblack77) Chad M. (Chad Tchad)
Price: $11.95
Age: 2 Months
Release Date: August 2022
Contributed by: Luciano Cigars

Initial Impressions

Appearance: 93

“A fat robusto with a nice dark maduro wrapper. The wrapper is very smooth and silky to the touch with minimal veining.” –Lauren S. (Lauren S.)

Aroma: 93

“The cap has a light banana note to it; then going down to the foot of the cigar an awesome cheery allspice smell to it. ” –Chad M. (Chad Tchad)

First Third

Flavor: 90
Strength: Medium
Body/Complexity: Medium-Full

“The first third opens with the sweet milk chocolate flavor I had smelled on the foot. As the cigar warms up a smoky pepper and paprika-like flavor has kicked in.” –Lauren S. (Lauren S.)

“Coffee, raisin, and rye bread notes start the cigar off with white pepper and anise on the retrohale. Strength is medium, while the body is solidly medium/full. The draw is pretty tight at the moment, and the cigar is not wanting to stay lit. The cigar seems to want to tunnel at the end of the first section, getting very hot at the band.” –Kevin A. (Kevin A.)

Second Third

Flavor: 93
Strength: Medium-Strong
Body/Complexity: Medium

“Still with rich coffee/espresso flavor. The earthy flavor has faded. That acid flavor at the tip of the tongue has resolved as well. Salty notes are picking up salivation. Retrohale still with really hot red pepper.” –Chad M. (Chad Tchad)

“The second third is where the strength takes a step or two back but the flavors just keep coming. There is still an overabundance of chocolate flavors and cocoa but also a lot of baking spices such as nutmeg and cinnamon. The black pepper dissipates. The burn continues to impress. It definitely hasn't disappointed me thus far. I hope it finishes strong.” –Kevin J. (maninblack77)

Final Third

Flavor: 93
Strength: Medium-Strong
Body/Complexity: Medium-Full

“The flavors have gotten richer. Notes of fresh-baked brownies have become the main note. The retrohale has changed as well. There is a spearmint note that fire up the sinuses. The mouthfeel has become silky smooth and the finish continues to be long and flavorful.” –Estevan Z. (TheRealBanzi)

“Really rich black coffee/espresso flavor with salty notes. Pretty one-dimensional but in a good way. Retrohale with strong hot red pepper through the whole smoke.” –Chad M. (Chad Tchad)

Overall Impressions

Draw: 95

“Really on point draw that was right on the money.” –Chad M. (Chad Tchad)

Burn: 93

“The burn line was thin and tight along the wrapper. It was very straight with only one area that had a little wave to it. It burned cool for the whole smoking experience.” –Estevan Z. (TheRealBanzi)

Construction: 95

“The roll and bunch of this cigar were excellent. It held an ash for about half of the cigar before I rolled it into the ashtray.” –Estevan Z. (TheRealBanzi)

Overall Strength: Medium-Strong
Overall Body/Complexity: Medium-Full
Experience Overall: 94

“This cigar was a flavor bomb that smoked super slow. Plenty of flavor transitions from light and sweet to deep and rich. This will be a cigar that should be on the list of every cigar smoker. I will seek it out once know what it is.” –Estevan Z. (TheRealBanzi)

“Aside from the pre-light which was exciting, the poor construction on this cigar rendered it unsmokable.” –Kevin A. (Kevin A.)

“This blend was right in my preferred flavor profile. Sweet milk chocolate opening that transitions to dark chocolate then a creamy mocha finish. Spicy pepper and smoky paprika slowly built throughout the cigar, along with fleeting background notes of musk and wood. This was a complex and solid medium-plus blend that I look forward to finding out what it is.” –Lauren S. (Lauren S.)

“It's rare to say I've had an epic experience with these blind reviews, but this is definitely one of those times. The flavor profile hit my palate in all the right areas. Chocolate, cocoa, black pepper, earth, and baking spices came together to create an amazing smoking experience. I can't wait to hear what this cigar is because I'll definitely be looking to buy a box. Thanks for the chance to try this.” –Kevin J. (maninblack77)

“The start has an acid flavor on tip of the tongue. The overall flavor was rich earthy black coffee with saltiness. Retrohale was hot red pepper spice.” –Chad M. (Chad Tchad)

Smoking Time (in minutes): 71

To view the complete scores and notes, click here.

Luciano Mas Igneus Short Robusto – Blind Cigar Review