Hi everyone, I just got into cigars and this is my first review of the first cigar I've tried, the Macanudo Maduro Hampton Court. Before I begin though, I was given a Cuban cigar by a friend who returned from another country. I don't know what kind it was, it was several years ago and I had never had a cigar before. It was an incredible cigar and was extremely enjoyable smoking it on a balconey during sunset. Recently I was remembering this great experience and realized I should be into cigars... So I've been doing a lot of research and decided to start a little mild with something easy to obtain.
I purchased the Macanudo for $10 (+tax) at a local store - a little pricey I think. Taste wise I thought it was a little flat. As it burnt down the flavor began to pick up some and get a little more complex, it had a slight herbal hint to it, and occasionally a vanilla-esque aftertaste. It burnt smooth for the most part, towards the beginning it ran a little, but that might of been caused by a poor lighting job. One other minor issue, the blade I used to cut the cap off wasn't quite sharp enough and the end got slightly damaged, it didn't much past a few centimeters and had no effect on the draw. Speaking of the draw, it started out a little tough, but about 15 minutes into it became perfect. All in all, I would give it a B+. I wasn't blown away by it like I was with the unknown Cuban - and the price was a little steep, but it was well made and pleasant.
If you like milder cigars you might want to try a CAO gold, I like the robusto, or maybe an Arturo Fuente 858 Flor la Fina. Both of those should be readily available. Welcome to the boards, and have a great time smoking!
Posts: 259 | Location: Bloomington, IN | Registered: May 16, 2003
I'm looking for something a little stronger and a little more flavorful than the Macanudo, but not too spicy. Thanks for the comments, and the welcome. It's really cool that cigars have inspired the creation of the little community, I'm glad to of found it!
Being "New" to cigars Stronger isn't a good word to use. Try mild/medium/full. Of these some mild mediums can taste better then what you may consider "strong" because of the flavor profile.
Try the CAO Gold. You wanted "stronger", this may be milder but is very flavorable. At the same time you are looking at the Golds grab a CAO Brazilia. Lotsa flavor and definately "fuller". I also like the Arturo Fuente Short Story. It's meduim/full and have a good flavor profile too.
I see you found out on your first Mac why most people here don't smoke them. Name recognition sells them at way too much money. Welcome to the real world of cigars and pleasant smoke rings
rA$$ Master/PMGL/"I" Team
Posts: 896 | Location: I forgot again......but its mmmm brrrr cold | Registered: February 16, 2003
I look at cigar smoking a lot like driving different cars - I own a 96 ford escort with 175,000 miles on it; a pickup truck; and a 72 Jaguar.
Each has it's place during the day/week - the Jag is for something special, like Saturday night going out to dinner, the way to treat myself special; but I am not going to drive it down gravel roads going from farm to farm buying & selling cattle.
I have a couple of everyday cigars (Baccarat among them which has a good mix of medium to full tobacco but balanced by the sugar cane tip) that I smoke while driving, and I can buy 4 of them to one of the $ 10 Mac's - I have some Zino's for after dinner on Sat. night - and there are a lot of good churchill's to Trout fish by; it's your chance to be good to yourself.
You also have stumbled upon the age old debate - the guillotine (single blade cut) to v-cut (double blade) or to punch. Entire cigar forum's have been devoted to such - If you are serious about sticking to cigar smoking, a v-cutter would be worth the purchase, just remember it's the blade that does the work, not how pretty it looks on the outside. No point in spending 70 bucks on a cutter with the blade goes dull in 6 months; you can find one for 5 to ten bucks that can do that.
I will just say from my trips to the Dominican factories, most people who actually make these cigars would never cut the end - they punch - mostly with the non business end of a wooden match. A good cigar is meant to be an experience from begining to end and by snipping off a quarter inch you are (sometimes) taking away from what the master rollers are attempting to achieve
Posts: 287 | Location: Ryan, IA, USA | Registered: May 12, 2003
The last Mac Madu i had I was totally dissatisfied with. I had to keep looking at the lit end to see if it was still burning! It was, but the cigar had absolutly no body to it whatsoever. I havent purchased another since. If your just getting into Cigars, get yourself a HUMiDOR! You will save money by the bundels if you buy ifrom a place like JR and stow em in a dor. 10 bucks a smoke! There is no way I would pay that much on a cigar unless it was for the occasion. ANY brand! The only reason I even go into tobacco shops anymore is to look at thier prices and smile cause I save so much MONEY buying from JR. Cheap Humidors.com has good deals onhumidors if you can find one of thier "imperfect ones". I puchased one of these and there was NOTHING wrong with it! Whatsoever!. It is a seriously nice dor for the money and in perfect quality condition.
I have no business interest with them. Just impressed with the service, price and quality.
In 1917 Lewis Burwell Puller, then a young Cadet, left the Virginia Military Institute at the end of his freshman year to enlist in the US Marines, saying simply, "I want to go where the guns are!"
Posts: 53 | Location: Gibraltar, Michigan, USA | Registered: June 05, 2004
$10 for a MAC...you got ripped off...even in NY there not that bad...
the other day out at big indian they had a MAC roller from the DR. really cool guy..he was passing out Hyde Parks Maduro (and others).. they were not that good..The MAC's have fallen...I made sure to let him know...i guess i'm an a$$ but i tell it like it is...but they have them for about $3-$6...NO TAX...YES
Piss on me once ...that's your fault...Piss on me twice that's my fault....
Posts: 249 | Location: Buffalo NY | Registered: July 09, 2004
and Hiram Abiff, a "V" cut is not a double blade cut. totaly different.
----------------------------- "The cigar...is something that commands respect. It is made for all the senses, for all the pleasures, for the nose, the palate, the fingers, the eyes... A good cigar contains the promise of a totally pleasurable experience."
