A Macanudo Duo- part 1

Just last week I got a package from General with a few new sized sticks in an old line to try.  The shipment included a Macanudo Cafe and a Macanudo Maduro in the new Gigangte shape of 6″ by 60 ring.  This shape has been gaining popularity over the last few years and all of the manufacturers are jumping on the bandwagon making them.  I had a long drive the other day and enjoyed the Cafe for my drive going and the Maduro later in the day for the drive back.  While I had intended to write this as a single review, the cigars are somewhat different so we’ll look at them as a two parter.

Macanudo has a rich history in cigars.  Originally used as a mark by Cuban producers making cigars in Jamaica, General Cigar used this as a brand begun in the early 1970s.  Instrumental in the blend was Ramon Cifuentes who had previously run the Partagas factory in Cuba.  Over the past number of years the cigar is made in teh Dominican and enjoys a reputation as a well built consistent, mild smoke.

When I opened my cigar, I found that it looked good.  It was easy to punch and light.  But, with a mild cigar that was very wide I couldn’t really feel a burn or enjoy lots of smoke.

Cafe is a good name for this line since it reminds me of weak coffee laced liberally with skim milk.  The flavors are very mild and not hot in any way.  This profile makes the cigar an excellent choice for a new smoker or someone who doesn’t enjoy lots of heavy tastes.

The construction of the cigar is good as it holds a nice ash and a crisp edge throughout the smoke.  Despite constantly checking to see that it was still lit, it never went out for the 1 hour and 15 minutes that I smoked it.

At around $8.00 it’s not inexpensive, but you do get a lot of cigar for your money.