At this years TPE trade show, Maya Selva Cigars showcased one of their newest line extensions – the Cumpay Robusto Maduro. Originally launched in 1999, and after Nicaragua’s peace accords, the Cumpay captivated us with the volcanic highlands notes of Nicaragua’s Jalapa valley terroir. Back then Nicaragua was “One of the newest and most promising cigar terroirs”.
The Cumpay Robusto Maduro, is dressed in the dark colors of the volcanic soil it originated in, its fillers, a blend of whole leaves, binders and wrappers are sourced exclusively from tobacco plants grown in Nicaragua. By the way, Cumpay is the Tawakha Indian name for a rolled tobacco leaf. The robusto is an extension to the (5 x 60) Cumpay Vulcan Maduro.
The blend for the Cumpay Robusto Maduro is described as:
- Wrapper: Jalapa – Nicaragua
- Binder: Estelí – Nicaragua
- Filler: Nicaragua
The Cumpay Robusto Maduro is expressed in a (4¾ x 50) robusto vitola, packaged in 20-count boxes and carries an MSRP of $9.90/cigar.
Pre-Light Examination
The Maya Selva Cumpay Robusto Maduro is draped in a beautiful dark brown and lightly marbled wrapper with a decent sheen. There are minimal veins running through it. The packing is solid with no soft spots from head to foot. A well applied cap finishes the presentation.
Two bands adorn the cigar. The primary band is bold with a glowing red image of a volcano and the word CUMPAY right below it. The words “Robusto Maduro” are printed at the bottom. There is also a footer band which is the standard Maya Selva signature band used on many of the company’s cigars.
Running the Cumpay Robusto Maduro along the nose, I did not detect any significant notes along the barrel, but the foot presented a sweet earthy aroma.
After slicing the cap, straight across the shoulder of the cigar, I gave it some cold draw puffs that had a fine restriction and awoke the palate with a growing jalapeño pepper note.
Using my double flame torch, I warmed the foot and drew in the first puffs of pepper and dark chocolate notes. I am liking how this started so follow along as I burn this one to ash. For this review I sampled two Cumpay Robusto Maduros which I received from the company for the purpose of reviewing on Stogie Press.
Cigar Review Notes
- Right off the first puff, there is a thick palate filling volume of creamy smoke
- Dark chocolate and pepper notes are the first to grace the palate
- Well formed white ash evolves on top of a medium thick char line
- Dry leather adds to the profile with a hint of citrus
- A naturally sweet and syrupy aroma wafts off the foot
- Ash falls in nice chunk deep in the first third revealing a decent burn cone
- Walnut sensation enters midway
- Mild jag in the burn
- Peppery spice reappears in the end of the second third
- Slight off burn develops that required a mild touch up
- The pepper is rejoined with a bitter dark chocolate entering the final
- Woody notes finish the journey
- Medium in strength
- Total Smoking Time was 1 hour and 25 minutes
Final Analysis
The Maya Selva Cumpay Robusto Maduro was a full body/medium strength cigar that started with rich pepper and dark chocolate notes enticing the palate. I found the smoke to be thick and full and although it was not overly complex, it did offer a pleasant journey from foot to nub. I enjoyed the walnut notes that entered midway and the rebound of pepper and dark chocolate in the final. The burn started off straight and even but after the ash fell there was a jagged burn that led to an off burn that eventually required a mild touch up. This is worth grabbing a fiver of a and I rate this a 91.
Point Deductions: (-1) Jagged Burn; (-1) Off Burn; (-1) Mild Touch up
