2012 Maduro by Oscar Valladares Cigar Review

Oscar Valladares owner of Oscar Valladares Tobacco and Co. made quite the splash when he collaborated with Island Jim Robinson to produce the Leaf by Oscar cigar. It seems like that was a lifetime ago but the company is only 5 years old. At this years IPCPR, Oscar  reached into the vault and has introduced the what he calls the 2012 by Oscar Rebirth Edition – a celebration of 5 years in the business. There are three different blends being offered in this line, Connecticut, Corojo, and Maduro.

The original press release on these declared they would be available in a single 6 x 52 box-pressed toro, but at the IPCPR, the line filled out with a 4 x 54 box-pressed short robusto and a 6 1/2 x 52 box-pressed torpedo. The 2012 by Oscar Rebirth Edition cigars are being produced at the Valladares factory in Danli, Honduras and are packaged in 20-count boxes that are brightly colored to op on the shelf. There is also a tray presentation that contains all three blends for limited shelf space. The toro has an MSRP of $8.50 but prices have not been announced on the other vitolas.

 

For this review, I sampled the 2012 by Oscar Maduro torpedo, which I received from Oscar for the purpose of writing a review.

The  2012 by Oscar Maduro torpedo blend is described as:

• Wrapper – San Andres Maduro
• Binder – Honduran
• Filler – Honduran and Nicaraguan

Pre-Light Examination

The 2012 by Oscar Maduro torpedo is a box-pressed torpedo with a lightly marbled, dark brown wrapper. It has crisp edges and is light on veins. The packing is tight and the cigar feels solid in the hand and to the touch.

The band on the 2012 by Oscar Maduro is bright red with black print and gold accents. Each of the bands on the line are similar with the background color changed to reflect the blend. 

There is a sweet spicy aroma along the barrel and the foot exudes earth, spice, and citrus aromas that make this an inviting cigar to smoke.  I decided to open this one up by slicing the well finished pencil tip cap on a 45 degree angle with a 1/4th inch opening to start. The cold draw had a nice restriction to it and offered deep earthy notes.

Let’s ignite this 2012 by Oscar Maduro up and see how it performs.

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Cigar Review Notes

• Initial light – citrus and espresso bean
• Nice white ash develops
• Citrus tang builds and provides a long finish on the palate
• There is a  profound dryness in the profile
• The burn is decent, with a minimal wave here and there
• A crisp thin char line is evident
• Cinnamon spice enters mid second third
• Citrus pulls back and a touch more coffee enters the profile
• The draw was a bit too restricted so I cut it a touch more to open up the draw
• A hint of white pepper starts to entice the palate
• Grapefruit citrus appears like a good Indian Pale Ale
• Earth and cocoa enter by the end of the second third
• Smoke is much fuller with about a 3/8 inch opening
• Vanilla bean finds it way in with a touch of sweetness
• Toasty aroma wafts off the foot
• Almond nut enters near the end of the second third
• Pepper continues to tingle the nasals
• Actually the pepper really ratchets up in the end
• Medium strength
• Total Smoking Time was just over one hour.

Overall, the 2012 by Oscar Maduro torpedo was a fine smoke with a complexity of flavor nuances running through the burn. The citrus was a bit overpowering at first but did tone down giving way to more subtle notes in the second half. I feel this is a cigar that would pair best with an Italian espresso or a refreshing rum daiquiri.