Mag 50 LEP MAR 17 VS Mag 54 PET FEB 17 Weekend Review Competition

[Lant63]

Decided to do a little compare and contrast by smoking these two cigars back to back.  I think this can be a good exercise sometimes to compare sizes within Marcas.  

Both boxes came fro the Prez.  

Location: Inside

Drink: Shorts Brewing Woodmaster 

 

 Decided to go with the Magnum 54 to begin.  Good cut and draw, appears to be well rolled. The opening bring some light notes apricot, oak, wood. This shortly develops into more coffee, almond, and shortbread type notes with herbal flavors through the nose. These flavors continue Throughout the first third.

(As you can see Akila loves cigar time)

 

As the ash drops for the second third to begin lettuce, bitter greens developed on the palate  with floral notes to the nose. I'm not huge fan of these notes on the palate however the retro inhale is enjoyable. Thankfully, these notes on the palate  change toward more grass/hay, apricot, and oak leather notes.

 

 

A couple more touch ups are needed at the beginning of the final third. It is very harsh with no finesse.   there really is no point to continue smoking.  The change in the final third is not very good and the cigar is laid down with over an inch and a half left. 

 

 

The Magnum 50 began shortly there after. Same cut with the palio.  This was the cigar bent by the ribbon of the box.  Always the best one!

 

It opens with more power compared to the 54. Lots of cream, leather, shortbread Coffee and floral through the nose in the first third.  

 

Deep, rich sweet wood is a popular flavor along with slight apricot throughout the second part of the cigar.  

In the final third there is coffee, leather, Fresh bread notes. The cigar is turned into full body with black coffee Dominating as the cigar ends.  

 

The final verdict:

As you can easily tell the magnum 50 was easily the winner.  Much more consistent both in terms of flavor as well as construction.  I will be hard pressed to buy the Magnum 54 again. This is based on the price compared to the Magnum 50 as well as the size. The shorter fatter shape of Magnum 54 Is not ideal to me. I much rather and the feel of the magnum 50.  While I am a fan of sublime sized cigars, which are also 54 ring gauge, this size seems to be missing something.    I feel like the construction issues prevent the Magnum 54 from being better than it is.  But, when there are cheaper cigars that perform better why keep going to new large ones that disappoint.  The Magnum 50 is the clear cut winner.  Solid flavors and evolution throughout.  

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

[TheMonk]

Very interesting review for me, as I love the Mag50 and still haven't had a chance to try the Mag54. Vitola wise, the Mag50 definitely wins, and I'm glad to see it also didn't disappoint in terms of flavour! Still gotta try the Mag54, though... 

[David88]

Thanks for the review. I’ve not yet tried a Mag 54 but love the 46, 50 and 56. The price premium in comparison to the 50 is off putting but maybe I will pick up a few singles or a sampler to try.