Cigar Review: Micallef Cigars Grande Bold Mata Fina 556MF – Rated 85

Today we take a look at the second in the Grande Bold series from the Micallef Cigars that was introduced at this years IPCPR. The Grande Bold series consists of 5 different blends and today we will be examining the Grande Bold Mata Fina. We recently reviewed the Grand Bold Nicaragua which scored a 93.

The company describes the Grande Bold Mata Fina blend as:

“..bold and complex..blended perfectly with the wrapper. bringing a great toasty and nutty flavo. A ton of flavor you will appreciate all the way through”

The blend is described as:

Wrapper – Brazillian Mata Fina
Binder – Nicaragua
Filler – Nicaragua

The Micallef Cigars Grande Bold Mata Fina is available in 5 vitolas and comes packaged in 20-count boxes:

650MF (6 x 50) MSRP $8.99
654MF (6 x 54) MSRP $8.99
660MF (6 x 60) MSRP $9.99
556MF (5 x 56) MSRP $8.99
446MF (4 x 46) MSRP $7.75

As with all Micallef Cigars, the Micallef Cigars Grande Bold Mata Fina is produced at the Gomez Sanchez family factory in Esteli, Nicaragua.

For this review my Stogie Press associate Anthony Pace and I sampled the Grande Bold Mata Fina 556MF, which we received from the company at the IPCPR for the purpose of reviewing on Stogie Press.

Pre-Light Examination

The Micallef Cigars Grande Bold Mata Fina is wrapped with a dark brown, glistening, and toothy wrapper that has a lots of marbling to it. The cigar is finished with a well applied triple cap and is solid to the touch from head to foot.

There are two bands that decorate the cigar. The primary band is the same as all bands in the Grande Bold line – Incorporating a green, gold, red, and silver motif. The Red letter “M” is centered below a knight’s silver mask all on a green background surrounded with gold. The Word Micallef is placed on top and the phrase “Grande Bold” on the bottom. The secondary band states “Mata Fina” on a bright green background signifying the blend.

Micallef Cigars Grande Bold Mata Fina 556MF

The sniff test reveals a lightly spiced and fermented barrel and bready foot. Anthony picked up a raisin note off the foot.

I used my Palio double blade cutter to slice the head just above the first line and proceeded to give it some cold draw puffs. The cold draw had a nice restriction it and offered earthy and sweet notes with just a smattering of pepper.

It was time to fire it up which I did with my double torch JetLine lighter heating the foot properly and taking in some initial puffs.

Cigar Review Notes

Micallef Cigars Grande Bold Mata Fina 556MF

Initial light delivered a full volume of smoke with a good draw
Earthy start with a light peppery burn on the nasal
White ash develops resting on a medium char line
Coffee notes join the mix
Anthony picked up a unsalted roasted almonds in the first inch
Sweetness rounds out the early burn
Floral aroma evolves
Anthony and I both detected a woody oak note in the second third
Once the ash fell, there was a flat and slightly off centered burn cone
Starting to get hot to the touch
Anthony picks up a creamy note to add to the sweetness
Burn continues to shift, creating a canoe effect that required a touch up
I was starting to get bits of leaf coming off the head, onto the tongue
Earth and peppery spice notes enter in final
Medium Strength at best
Total Smoking Time was 1 hour and 15 minutes

Overall, I rate the an 85. Although the Micallef Cigars Grande Bold Mata Fina 556MF had some decent flavor, the burn was the biggest issue we had with this cigar. The off centered burn cone eventually grew into a serious canoeing that required a touch up.I was also disturbed about the bits of leaf coming out of the head of the cigar starting midway. It did deliver a full volume of smoke and had a consistent medium strength throughout. This is one that I feel is priced too high for comparable cigars on the shelf given its performance.