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Cigar Review: Macanduo 1968 Robusto
By Jason | September 3, 2008 |
Company: General Cigar
Line: Macanudo 1968
Vitola: Robusto 5 x 50
Origin: Dominican Republic
Wrapper: Honduras San Agustin Havana Seed
Binder: Habano Connecticut
Filler: Dominican Republic, Nicaragua and Ometepe
Flavor: Medium
Strength: Medium
Price: $8.50 per cigar
Description:
I wasn’t weaned on Macanudos when I started smoking cigars. As a matter of fact, I’ve probably only smoked about four or five. I can tell you that I can’t really remember anything about my previous experiences with this brand other than it is an ok cigar.
Enter Macanudo 1968. This is billed as a fuller bodied, fuller flavored Macanudo. The tobacco is aged in tercios and charcoaled wooden barrels. The name comes from the year Ramon Cifuentes began developing the Macanudo brand. It is also the year General Cigar purchased the Temple Hall factory in Jamaica. Is this a Macanudo to remember? We’ll see.
Construction:
This cigar is very appealing to the eye. It is very firm from cap to foot with small veins. No visible defects at all. The pre-light draw seems to have a little too much resistance, but once lit it seems to be perfect. I see no problems with the construction.
Burn:
The burn on this cigar is pretty much straight the whole way through. The ash is a very light gray and very solid. It did tend to burn a little hot, especially the last 2/3.
Flavor:
Pre-light flavors are of smooth chocolate and a very mild coffee. Once lit I can taste a smooth, creamy chocolate with wood undertones with very thick smoke. The chocolate fades at about the 1/2 inch mark and a floral tone makes an appearance. The last third of the cigar is dominated by a dark roast coffee flavor with a little cedar.
Verdict:
All in all it was a nice cigar, but it was missing something. It could you a little spice. Or maybe more cowbell. I don’t see myself buying many of these at $8.50 a pop. It just doesn’t have the flavor profile I’m looking for. Macanudo is currenlty running an online special of these. Three for $7.95 plus $2.00 shipping. After that, they will only be available at your local B&M.
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Tags: Cigar Review, Dominican Republic, General Cigar, Honduras, Macanudo
Topics: Cigar Reviews |
September 3rd, 2008 at 5:22 pm
I was weened in to cigars on the Mac vintages. Now I consider them lackluster and expensive.
Ed recently got these in, and he seems to like em. I’m definately going to have to at least try them. I’m curious if my opinion will differ from yours.
September 3rd, 2008 at 6:46 pm
Jesse, I have only smoked one out of the three I have got so far but I really enjoyed it. Definitely like no other Mac that I have ever had.
$8 per smoke is a little high. I hope that price drops or I will have to stock up before the special is over.
September 3rd, 2008 at 6:54 pm
Oh snap Jason, I really need to look who made the post!
September 7th, 2008 at 7:49 pm
You hit the nail on the head: The Macanudo 1968 needed more cowbell!
It’s nice to see General Cigar trying some new things, but I’d love to see a better effort next time with this iconic brand.
September 8th, 2008 at 9:01 am
I’m going to change the author information up a bit, moving it to the bottom of the post with a photo of the author or something. :)
I tried a couple of these and while I didn’t think they were bad they weren’t up my alley.
I definitely wouldn’t call these full bodied.
September 8th, 2008 at 11:40 am
I agree they aren’t full bodied. A bit stronger than medium. I’ve had 4 and enjoyed them all, with the toro being the best of the vitolas in my opinon, followed by the robusto. The double corona had burn issues to some degree, but nothing ridiculous.
October 7th, 2008 at 1:44 am
Just tried the new Macanudo and I smoke all type of Macanudo. The 1968 is one of the stronger cigars since most Macanudos are very mild. As you have read here, the cigar smoker that like a full bodied cigar wont think much of this but for me I found it strong but still mild enough to really enjoy. Yes it’s a bit high but I got the online special and plan to enjoy a few of these. Not the best I have smoked but better than expected.