Maduros. The best from around the world?

[El Presidente]

Do you enjoy a Maduro? If so, what are some of the finest you've smoked over the years? 

I enjoy a well made, well cured maduro cigar. There is a big difference between artificially created maduros (steamed or painted) and real properly fermented maduro. I enjoy the chocolate sweetness they impart, I love the cold draw and cocoa hint on the lips. 

Whether it's Cuban, Nicaraguan, Dominican, Honduran, Costa Rican or something else entirely, let us know your favourites.

• What is your all-time favourite Maduro?Is there a Maduro you think is underrated?
• Do you prefer broadleaf, San Andrés, Connecticut Broadleaf, Brazilian, or another wrapper?
• Which current production Maduro deserves more recognition?
• If you could recommend just one Maduro to someone who has never smoked one, what would it be?

Hopefully we'll build a list of the world's excellent Maduro cigars.

For my part, favourite Maduro is the Padron Anniversary 1964 Principe Maduro. 4 1/2 x 46.  I think it is a masterpiece. Padron never has the prettiest wrappers. They do however have some of the tastiest maduro wrappers in the world. 

[Duder]

When I smoked NCs, the Padron 1926 were my favorites but the 1964 were close behind. Only the Cuban Maduros eclipsed them for me. Cohiba Secretos is my favorite regular production maduro. Many of the best Cuban cigars I’ve smoked had very dark wrappers. Not technically maduro but might as well have been. Smoked a midnight black ‘01 RyJ Cazadores a few nights back. Fantastic cigar. Huge fan of the Cuban ELs. Some of my favorites include the Monte DC, Cohiba DC, PSD3, RyJ Hermosos 4, Cohiba Piramides, Partagas Piramides & RA Allones Extra. 

If I were to recommend one to a first timer it would be the Padron 1964 or Cohiba Secretos. 

[westg]

Tough one. I think they are better then the Genios and it's probably a 10 to 1 ratio now anyway.  

[JPark3]

I have a lopsided preference for maduros over naturals in non-Cubans. I've always found them richer and more chocolate/dark roast coffee in taste. Padron over anything, 64 Anniversary then close tie for the rest of the Padron lines. I do enjoy the Fuente 858, Olmec, and Oliva Melanio Maduros as well.

[riderpride]

2 hours ago, Duder said:

When I smoked NCs, the Padron 1926 were my favorites but the 1964 were close behind. Only the Cuban Maduros eclipsed them for me. Cohiba Secretos is my favorite regular production maduro. Many of the best Cuban cigars I’ve smoked had very dark wrappers. Not technically maduro but might as well have been. Smoked a midnight black ‘01 RyJ Cazadores a few nights back. Fantastic cigar. Huge fan of the Cuban ELs. Some of my favorites include the Monte DC, Cohiba DC, PSD3, RyJ Hermosos 4, Cohiba Piramides, Partagas Piramides & RA Allones Extra. 

If I were to recommend one to a first timer it would be the Padron 1964 or Cohiba Secretos. 

The Secretos is the only Cuban Maduro I've had and they're fantastic. I have yet to find a NC one for my tastes (Mexican SA, Connecticut, Nicaraguan), but I'm still open to trying. 

Cheers!

[AshMe Nothing]

I’m gonna say Padron 1926 series, but I have little experience long term. Here are a few I’ve come to like in the past year. Most of these boxes are having or had their 1 yr anniversary. Glad I snatched up whole boxes of them. I had to dig a sample out since it’s been 3-6 months since I’ve tried one. Giggity!

Edit: The Liga Privada No.9 may not be a Maduro wrapper. But it gives me that raisin, dark chocolate, cream espresso flavor that I like from a good Maduro.

[JohnS]

The very best Maduro cigars I've had were without a doubt the original release 2007 Cohiba line (i.e. Genios, Magicos and Secretos), especially the Secretos. I've never found subsequent releases over the years meet that standard. Currently, if I had to pick a reliable and enjoyable Maduro cigar, I'd opt for something from the Padron 1964 Anniversary Series.

[Chibearsv]

Like most have said already Padron 64 maduro is the winner for me. Cazadores I’ve had have been nearly black, not maduros by name but damn they are nice rich smokes. I’d also throw Ashton aged maduros in the mix, a bit one dimensional but very tasty. 

[ReelMan]

I have never tried a maduro before, and I appreciate all of this information. Will be trying one soon. Prez, how can you tell the difference between steamed, painted or naturally matured? Are there tells of each?

[Boxer31]

As others have mentioned - Padron 64 and Oliva Melanio, add AF Hemingway and Saka Sin Compromiso. 

[KCCubano]

1 hour ago, JohnS said:

The very best Maduro cigars I've had were without a doubt the original release 2007 Cohiba line (i.e. Genios, Magicos and Secretos), especially the Secretos. I've never found subsequent releases over the years meet that standard. Currently, if I had to pick a reliable and enjoyable Maduro cigar, I'd opt for something from the Padron 1964 Anniversary Series.

I agree on the 07 Secretos. I bought a box the first day Rob put them up. 

[tbelle7]

• What is your all-time favourite Maduro? - Padron 50 Years
• Is there a Maduro you think is underrated? Cohiba Magicos 5 
• Which current production Maduro deserves more recognition? Padron 45 years Family Reserve
• If you could recommend just one Maduro to someone who has never smoked one, what would it be? - Padron 50 Years.

[Ford2112]

Padron 1964 Anni Principe is the correct answer. 

[Çnote]

LFD #5 & #6.

[westg]

20 hours ago, JohnS said:

The very best Maduro cigars I've had were without a doubt the original release 2007 Cohiba line (i.e. Genios, Magicos and Secretos), especially the Secretos. I've never found subsequent releases over the years meet that standard. Currently, if I had to pick a reliable and enjoyable Maduro cigar, I'd opt for something from the Padron 1964 Anniversary Series.

The problem I have with Secretos is that for every exceptional box you receive, you get a terribly ordinary one the next. I remember when you could purchase them for 99 notes a 10 count box. I went hard but it was a tennis match. 

[loose_axle]

3 hours ago, Çnote said:

LFD #5 & #6.

I've eyed those oily monsters for a while but haven't dared try one as they look like they could kick me from here to timbuctoo - how are they on strength vs flavour? 

[El Presidente]

20 hours ago, ReelMan said:

I have never tried a maduro before, and I appreciate all of this information. Will be trying one soon. Prez, how can you tell the difference between steamed, painted or naturally matured? Are there tells of each?

Maduro does not mean dark, it is spanish for "ripe". Aged, extended fermentation. 

Painted maduro, telltale signs are shiny consistent dark wrapper across the box. Few if any imperfections. In poorly executed ones, the paint will end up on your lips. Shithouse flavour in the main. Little to no chocolate/cocoa in the flavour profile or aroma.

Steamed maduro, flat, low to no sheen (unless they oil it).  Roll it around the lips at the cold draw. No chocolate/cocoa note in flavour or aroma. 

[Christophe]

I used to smoke the Flor De Selva Maduro a lot, but admit I haven't for some time. I should pick up a few again. 

I agree with Padron 1964, I usually go for the Exclusivo. Though I've had it in Principe only once, and that particular one was very monotonous to me, so I probably had a dud.

[gormag38]

Cuban: Mad5 Secretos. True cocoa bombs. They can be a little rough around the edges if they're not aged. But after 5+ years something magical happens. Still wish I had some of the old banded ones. Have yet to be impressed by the Party maduro lines or the Genios and Magicos. 

NC: The first one I thought of: LGC Serie R No. 4. It's the only NC maduro that I ever went back and bought again and the only one that made me stop in my tracks. I don't think it's known as an uber premium cigar. But damn they can be good. 

[joeypots]

This goes way back to before I found Cuban cigars. Late '90s a few years before the Cuban infection consumed me. On a whim I bought a Padron sampler. I remember specifically the A sized cigar was brilliant. 

 

[Montezüma]

• What is your all-time favourite Maduro? Padron 1926 No 35 - Really unique profile but the strength is no joke
• Is there a Maduro you think is underrated? Padron 6000 - So much perfecto for a value often overlooked
• Which current production Maduro deserves more recognition? Oliva Series V Lancero - Might not be a proper maduro, also lately a little bit harsher than usual 
• If you could recommend just one Maduro to someone who has never smoked one, what would it be? Cohiba Secretos - One cigar to describe love for maduros 

7 hours ago, westg said:

The problem I have with Secretos for every exceptional box you receive  you get a terribly ordinary one the next.

I once had a box with half of them plugged. But the other half though, simply mesmerizing.

 

[Çnote]

7 hours ago, loose_axle said:

I've eyed those oily monsters for a while but haven't dared try one as they look like they could kick me from here to timbuctoo - how are they on strength vs flavour? 

They will kick your arse. Flavor and strength at 11. 

[loose_axle]

5 hours ago, Çnote said:

They will kick your arse. Flavor and strength at 11. 

"Why don't you just make ten louder and make that be the top number and make that a little louder..." 

"... these go to eleven" 

[jackhammer]

Favorite is the Padron 1964 in Corona size. I think it is extremely underrated since most people opt for larger ring gauges. It still irks me that they essentially discontinued all ring gauges under 50 in the thousand series. Not officially, but they haven't been in production since COVID. 

The smaller size of the corona really allows the wrapper to shine. It tastes like a fudge brownie in cigar form to me, and I would encourage everyone to try it at least once. The Principe is excellent too if you prefer a shorter smoke.

[barrygoodvibes]

Padron 80th. Padron 60th.