Cuban Maduros?

[Akela3rd]

Today I had an Alec Bradley Tempus Maduro (5 x50) on recommendation from a local vendor. It was my first Maduro and while it was pleasant enough (cocoa, cherry, coffee notes) it had a very light draw and ended turning quite bitter causing me to ditch it on the last third. It's been waiting in my humidor for a month so was OK rh-wise and I was told that it was something ready to smoke without aging at all. I can see the appeal of this style of cigar and want to explore further. My question therefore is - what are the recommendations for Cuban Maduros?

[mcease022]

I've only had the cohiba genios maduro 5 and they were excellent. I thought they were good to go right out of the box, although I dont have much experience aging them.

[sactochris]

Isn't there also a new Partagas maduro?

[Lotusguy]

I can't stand the Cohiba Maduro 5 line but the new Partagas Maduro #1 has been outstanding.

[Smallclub]

Partagas Serie D No.3 from 2001 with the darker wrapper

[ErikB]

I would call the new RA Club Allones maduro as well

[NSXCIGAR]

Cuban wrapper color varies greatly but technically speaking, there are only two Cuban maduro lines: Cohiba Maduro 5 and the recent Party Maduro No. 1. Subjective evaluation of wrapper color does not determine whether the term "maduro" is accurate.

HSA does not consider color the only criteria for qualifying wrapper as "maduro". There is a special leaf selection and aging process that goes along with it, at least for HSA. So while many regular production and especially the EL line may have wrappers that are dark in color or that may have been aged, they do not qualify as "maduro" under HSA guidelines.

I can certainly see where the confusion arises. IMO, most Cuban wrappers are dark enough to be described as "maduro" by color alone, and some, including the EL line, are borderline oscuro. But again, none of these are considered "maduro" by HSA's definition or have undergone the necessary process to differentiate them from simply dark regular production wrapper.

[Akela3rd]

Thanks for the input guys, I think you're trying to bankrupt me

[sactochris]

I would call the new RA Club Allones maduro as well

It's rather dark but I'm not sure If I would call it a Maduro.

[El Presidente]

Maduro Cubans (Cohiba Maduro 5 series and Partagas Maduro Number 1) tend to divide the Cuban cigar community into those that love them and those who hate them.

You are going to need to try a few good singles yourself to see how they fare on your palate.

[Akela3rd]

Just had a quick mooch online and NSX and Prez are right in that there are only the two true Cuban Maduros. However, the RA LE15 mentioned above is described as having a "maduro / oscuro" wrapper, which I can only assume is more to do with it's shade rather than the leaf origin and even then it doesn't appear to have the darkness of a true Maduro - bit of sly marketing for the LE to make it more desirable? But as Prez said, it's a bit of a Marmite style love it or hate it scenario. Interesting.

[wabashcr]

Never had the new Partagas maduros. Not a fan at all of the Cohiba maduros. I enjoy several NCs that could be classified as "maduro" more than the Cohibas.

[ElPuro]

I really enjoyed the Genios I had. Decadent.

[billh1]

+1 on the Partagas Maduro No. 1!

[MIKA27]

I've enjoyed the Cohiba Maduro lines: Genios, Magicis and Secretos.

Like stated by Rob, try a few singles and see if you like them.

[cigcars]

I can't stand the Cohiba Maduro 5 line but the new Partagas Maduro #1 has been outstanding.

*I second this statement...I've given the Cohiba Magicos, and Genios SEVERAL tries - and experienced NO flavor or enjoyment out of them at ALL.

[NSXCIGAR]

I've not had the Cohiba Maduro 5 line for many years but the ones I've had were quite good. I've not had the Party Maduro, however from the extremely mixed reviews weighted towards the lower end I'm probably not even going to try one.

As is the case with any HSA special release, I assume they're weak until the more adventurous among us have dipped their toes in the water and report otherwise.

[Fugu]

Cuban wrapper color varies greatly but technically speaking, there are only two Cuban maduro lines: Cohiba Maduro 5 and the recent Party Maduro No. 1. Subjective evaluation of wrapper color does not determine whether the term "maduro" is accurate.

HSA does not consider color the only criteria for qualifying wrapper as "maduro". There is a special leaf selection and aging process that goes along with it, at least for HSA. So while many regular production and especially the EL line may have wrappers that are dark in color or that may have been aged, they do not qualify as "maduro" under HSA guidelines.

I can certainly see where the confusion arises. IMO, most Cuban wrappers are dark enough to be described as "maduro" by color alone, and some, including the EL line, are borderline oscuro. But again, none of these are considered "maduro" by HSA's definition or have undergone the necessary process to differentiate them from simply dark regular production wrapper.

True, but if you are in the know, please enlighten us, NSX, what's the particular definition by HSA, what the actual difference in processing Tabacuba/HSA claims to be doing?

(I for one can't find any maduro-ish in the Party M1, while others, some of the older LEs are very maduro to me)

[Akela3rd]

Have a look at this Cigarpress.com article - pretty comprehensive.

http://cigarpress.com/maduro-the-myth-and-the-method

[Anthonyjoseph89]

Considering there are only 2 Cuban maduro, I would venture off and try some of the Padron Maduro, 64, 26, and the 80th are decent for maduro cigars.

Sent from my SM-G928V using Tapatalk

[Akela3rd]

Thanks, I'll investigate. I've heard good things about the Macanudo Hyde Park too.

[Fugu]

Have a look at this Cigarpress.com article - pretty comprehensive.

http://cigarpress.com/maduro-the-myth-and-the-method

Thanks Akela! Nice reading.

Basically, I am aware of how and what a maduro wrapper is. My question was more aiming at the particular Cuban way, on which very little information is to be found published, perhaps apart from a few promo texts from the marketing dept.

[Akela3rd]

Yeah, I get your point. The article was for general info as this thread has generated a little interest. The blurb on the RA LE15 I mentioned above with the "maduro/oscuro" is quoted identically by different sellers so presumably comes from the manufacturer or HSA. Clear as mud.

[NSXCIGAR]

True, but if you are in the know, please enlighten us, NSX, what's the particular definition by HSA, what the actual difference in processing Tabacuba/HSA claims to be doing?

(I for one can't find any maduro-ish in the Party M1, while others, some of the older LEs are very maduro to me)

I do not know the exact procedures however HSA offered this information at the time of the Cohiba Maduro 5 release:

Maduro 5 is heir to the best tradition of Cuban dark wrapper cigars (capa madura), which uses the upper leaves of the plant and obtains its characteristic range of dark colors and texture through a long, complex process of fully natural fermentation. This wrapper, enhanced by 5 years of aging, is used in the new Maduro 5 line, and grants unique characteristics to its three sizes.

So, at the very least, the maduro wrapper has much more age than the 2-year-aged EL wrappers and undergoes additional and/or alternate methods of fermentation.

[Fugu]

I do not know the exact procedures however HSA offered this information at the time of the Cohiba Maduro 5 release:

Maduro 5 is heir to the best tradition of Cuban dark wrapper cigars (capa madura), which uses the upper leaves of the plant and obtains its characteristic range of dark colors and texture through a long, complex process of fully natural fermentation. This wrapper, enhanced by 5 years of aging, is used in the new Maduro 5 line, and grants unique characteristics to its three sizes.

So, at the very least, the maduro wrapper has much more age than the 2-year-aged EL wrappers and undergoes additional and/or alternate methods of fermentation.

Thanks mate. Seen that before, at least some info. I guess, they won't be going to disclose much more to us....

I am just slightly puzzled as the new Partagas maduro shows no characteristics of a maduro to me (tastewise that is), but perhaps that's just me, and too small a sample size (2) so far, admittedly.

Paul