Matilde Limited Exposure No. 1 – Blind Cigar Review

Cigar Info

Matilde Cigars came out with their first new blend in 4 years at this year's PCA trade show. The new line is called Limited Exposure and the first blend in that line is Blend No. 1. Matilde Limited Exposure No. 1 only comes in one size, a 6 x 50 toro.

As each new blend in the line launches, it will only come in one size, although Enrique Seijas did say there would be a possibility of adding new sizes to those blends later on. Matilde is one of a couple new cigars coming to the market this year to be made out of a new factory in the Dominican Republic, Tabacalera Isla, which is owned by Hostos Fernández Quesada . The blend uses a Mexican San Andres wrapper with Dominican binder and fillers. Matilde Limited Exposure No. 1 is limited to only 250 boxes of 20 and sells for $10.50 a cigar.

Vital Stats:

Vitola: Toro
Length: 6″
Ring Gauge: 50
Country of Origin: Dominican Republic
Wrapper: Mexican San Andres
Binder: Dominican Republic
Filler: Dominican Republic
Factory: Tabacalera La Isla
Blender: Enrique Seijas and Jose Seijas
Number of reviewers: 4 – Alan (Eulogy) Mickey T. (irratebass) Ryan H. (Ryan H.) John A. (Bostoneo)
Price: $10.50
Age: 4 Months
Release Date: September 2021
Contributed by: Matilde Cigars

Initial Impressions – Matilde Limited Exposure No. 1

Appearance: 90

“Toro in size, this cigar sports a rustic and toothy dark brown wrapper. Seams are nearly invisible to the eye while veins are at a minimum while camouflaged by the wrapper leaf. The construction looks a bit bumpy on the filler with some higher and lower areas in the fill, hopefully, this does not cause burn issues.” –John A. (Bostoneo)

Aroma: 89

“Very mild notes of baking spice, hay, and wood are on the foot. The predraw has a nice resistance but is very similar to the foot with a slightly more robust flavor.” –Alan (Eulogy)

First Third

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

“Quite a few layers, but not a completely balance profile but, all notes are enjoyable. The cigar starts with leather and cream within five draws on this wonderful cigar transforms into something very beautiful. Profile expands dramatically to include citrus zest, wood, and some dried fruit with a mild honey finish, wow draw and burn are excellent.” –Ryan H. (Ryan H.)

“Let's light up! Upon lighting up I am greeted with a medium-full-bodied profile of cedar, peanut, and leather with a black peppery finish. As I move past the initial burn-in period, the flavors calm down into a smooth medium level with warm and rich chocolate and peppery cream, simply divine.” –John A. (Bostoneo)

Second Third

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

“There is slightly more impact from the flavors this third but it is still very light. I'm finding a bit more earth and baking spice this third. Touches of leather, sour notes, and bread are still in the mix but they're hard to find.” –Alan (Eulogy)

“Cigar has mellowed out a bit more starting in this second. It's smoking great…I'm getting more smoke out of it, of course, I did have to correct the burn a couple of times. I'm picking up more leather, black and white pepper along with some dark chocolate and caramel notes.” –Mickey T. (irratebass)

Final Third

Flavor: 92
Strength: Medium
Body/Complexity: Medium-Full

“Peppery cream, leather, and dry cocoa develop into a medium-full flavor profile now. This profile develops into pleasantly roasted cocoa beans with an ever so light-bodied earthiness through to the very end of this cigar, never getting bitter at all… a phenomenal finish!” –John A. (Bostoneo)

“Notes are still relatively the same the character of this cigar is so enjoyable. Very consistent with minor changes to notes. Still very good. Leather and wood with the honey sweetness on the finish. Draw and burn were superb. Great cigar.” –Ryan H. (Ryan H.)

Overall Impressions – Matilde Limited Exposure No. 1

Draw: 95

“Draw was impeccably good due to the good construction.” –John A. (Bostoneo)

Burn: 95

“I never needed to do any touch-ups or relights but it did get slightly wavy. Still, no issues that I needed to worry about or intervene.” –Alan (Eulogy)

Construction: 94

“Construction was otherworldly. Not many times you can find a cigar that is banging on all cylinders in every department.” –Ryan H. (Ryan H.)

Overall Strength: Medium-Strong
Overall Body/Complexity: Medium
Experience Overall: 90

“It is hard to recommend this since the majority of the experience was very flat in terms of flavor and strength. At the last third, it really perked up and delivered in flavor. Every other facet was spot on with a great draw and smoke output, though.” –Alan (Eulogy)

“Overall this was an ok cigar. Despite its ugliness and burn issues early on I did get some nice flavors of German chocolate cake, black & white pepper, caramel, and leather notes, so it wasn't a dud. I would smoke this again, but probably wouldn't actively seek thee out.” –Mickey T. (irratebass)

“Multi-box worthy cigar. I enjoyed this cigar so much.” –Ryan H. (Ryan H.)

“This cigar was an absolute treat for all you medium to full-bodied smokers. Not only was it well constructed, as evidenced by the draw and burn, but generous notes of chocolate, cedar, leather, and a slightly peppery earth will also give you a pleasurable experience as you puff away on this delight!” –John A. (Bostoneo)

Smoking Time (in minutes): 105

To view the complete scores and notes, click here.

Matilde Limited Exposure No.1 – Blind Cigar Review