During the 2018 IPCPR trade show, Crux Cigars teased out a line extension to the Crux Epicure blend. The extension was a to be known as the Crux Epicure Maduro. The official release did not happen until the trade show the this year. The Crux Epicure Maduro also carries the re-branding the company has gone through, with a fresh new look and attractive colors.
During the press release, Jeff Haugen, President at Crux Cigar Company noted:
“Our customers have been asking for a maduro and we wanted to give them one of the highest quality. We are blessed to work with AJ Fernandez the company and the person, they are awesome.”
The blend builds upon the success of the original Crux Epicure, but features a premium Mexican San Andres Maduro wrapper, with Nicaraguan binder and fillers.
Expressed in three popular vitolas, the Crux Epicure Maduro comes packaged in 10-count boxes with pricing set between $10.00 and $11.50 per cigar.
- Robusto (5 x 50) MSRP $10.00/Cigar
- Robusto Extra (6.25 x 52) MSRP $10.75/Cigar
- Toro (5.75 x 54) MSRP $11.50/Cigar
For this review, I sampled the Crux Epicure Maduro Toro, which I received from the company for the purpose of reviewing on Stogie Press.
Pre-Light Examination
The Crux Epicure Maduro features a dark brown wrapper, that has a lightly gritty feel to it. There is a slight oily sheen as you hold it in the light. It is tightly packed, has minimal veins, and is finished with a simple cap.
There is a single band that adorns the cigar. Using the new Crux Cigars branding, it uses a Tiffany blue background with white and gold highlights. The new Crux logo is printed across the top of the band in white and the word “Epicure” is printed in gold on the bottom. The band is nicely die cut to expose the wrapper behind in the center of the band.
Running the Crux Epicure Maduro under the nose, my aroma sensors quickly detected a mildly pungent and earthy note along the barrel and deep earthy and mustiness off the foot.
I used my double blade cutter to give the cap a straight cut, right across the shoulder of the cigar, and proceeded to give it a few cold puffs, that were spot on with restriction and offered notes of earth and a sprinkle of pepper.
Reaching for my dual flame torch lighter, I warmed the foot and drew in the first palate stimulating notes of light pepper and fruit while my nasals were greeted with an intriguing baking spice aroma.
Cigar Review Notes
- First light offers stimulating notes of light pepper and fruit
- Baking spice aroma quickly wafts off the foot
- Progressing through the first inch – a sweet cinnamon note brightens the palate
- Solid white ash rests on a medium char line
- Smoke output is full and chewy
- Fruit notes move back in near the end of the first third
- Ash fell revealing a flat but centered cone
- Espresso notes add to the profile along with a dark chocolate note midway
- Strength begins to ratchet up
- Spice notes enter deep in second third
- Still a mild sweetness in the background
- Ash cone better on second drop
- Spice grows through the second third
- Burned hot to the touch in the final third along with a continued wave in the burn
- Medium to Full in Strength
- Total Smoking time was 1 hour and 40 minutes
Overall, the Crux Epicure Maduro is a cigar that was not rushed to the market and patience has shown through. The aged leaf in this blend shine in the delicious flavors and enticing aromas that appear through the smoking journey. From a construction perspective, there were just some minor deductions and I would certainly declare this as box-worthy. I rate this a 94.
Point Deductions: (-1) Mild Wave in Burn; (-1) Flat Ash Cone; (-1) Burned a tad hot to the touch in final
Bonus Points: (+1) Buy a Box
