In case you did not notice, MBombay Cigars has not been in the news as of late. The past few years have been hard for company owner, Mel Shah, as he recovered from a serious medical issue and had to step away from the industry for a while. Well, that is all behind us now as Mel is back and brings with him the newest release from MBombay in years – the MQBA MAYURA. In fact, this cigar was created in 2021 and rested in the aging room for a solid 4 years before being shipped. In addition, the fermentation took about 4 years as the company slowly ferments at a lower temperature. As I always say, in the premium cigar business, TIME is Your Friend.
According to the company:
“The MQBA MAYURA is not just a cigar; it is a statement of patience, precision, and unparalleled aging. Every draw is infused with the essence of three decades of meticulous craftsmanship, a rare feat in the world of premium cigars.“
The blend of this new gem is described as:
- Wrapper – Ecuadorian-grown HVA
- Binder – Ecuadorian-grown HVA
- Filler – Paraguay, Peru, and Nicaragua aged for 24 years
“The wrapper, a pristine Ecuadorian-grown HVA leaf, along with the binder cultivated on the company’s own farm, undergoes an additional 5-6 years of aging, ensuring an exquisite balance of flavor and smoothness.”
The MQBA MAYURA is expressed in a single (5 x 54) robusto vitola. They come packaged in 10-count boxes with an MSRP of $31.00/cigar.
The cigars are produced at the Tabacos de Costa Rica factory.
The Company further noted:
“The dedication doesn’t stop there. Once rolled, each cigar is further aged for four years, allowing the blend to harmonize and achieve peak refinement before it ever reaches the hands of a discerning aficionado. With a combined aging process of 30 years, the MQBA MAYURA offers a smoking experience that is both luxurious and profoundly complex.”
For this review, I sampled two of the MBombay MQBA Mayura Robustos that I received from the company for the purpose of reviewing on Stogie Press.
Pre-Light Examination
What I have come to love about MBombay cigars is the construction and the MQBA Mayura reflects that with its silky-smooth, medium brown wrapper that has a light marbling and faint veins. The wrapper exhibits a light oily sheen. Th cigar has a perfect give, when pressed gently between the fingers from foot to head. Construction is completed with a well applied, thick double cap.
The MQBA Mayura is adorned with a single white and gold band that displays a golden peacock in the center and MBQA on the right (back of cigar when the band is applied).
Running the cigar along the nose, I picked up a pre-light set of sweet spice notes along the barrel and a mild barnyard note off the foot.
Once I sliced the cap straight across the shoulder of the cigar, I gave it some cold draws that I found to be perfect in restriction and offering notes of sweetness, mild nutmeg, and a little fruity tang.
Using my dual flame lighter I warmed the foot to an even orange glow and drew in the first puffs of thick and creamy smoke. Follow long as I burn this one to ash.
Cigar Review Notes
- Initial puffs offer sweet nut and spice to start the journey
- The sweetness lays gently on the palate
- A beautiful, pale white, ash forms on top of an even burn
- Full volume of smoke on each smooth draw
- A mild floral essence joins the mix in the first third and blends well with the sweetness and spice
- The ash fell in a decent chunk revealing a well-formed burn cone
- The sweetness evolves moving into the second with an added hint of coffee
- A pleasant cashew aroma wafts off the foot
- The smoke is thick and creamy
- A touch of dry leather joins the mix moving into second third
- An enticing fruit nuance joins the pleasure
- The burn develops a mild wave midway, but no touchup required
- The fruit evolves into a grapefruit citrus near the end of the second third
- Spice reemerges in the final third down to the end with a pleasant lingering fruit on the palate
- Medium Strength
- Total Smoking Time was 1 hour and 30 minutes
Final Analysis
The MBombay MQBA Mayura Robusto begins a gentle interplay of sweet nuttiness and warm spice, inviting the senses into a well-orchestrated journey. The sweetness rests softly on the palate, setting a harmonious tone. Each draw delivers a full, velvety volume of smoke that coats the mouth in creamy richness. As the first third unfolds, a subtle floral note emerges—light and fragrant—melding gracefully with the initial sweetness and spice.
Progressing into the second third, the flavor profile deepens; the sweetness matures, laced now with a refined whisper of coffee, while a soft cashew aroma drifts from the foot, adding an inviting warmth to the bouquet. The smoke remains dense and smooth, as a touch of dry leather begins to thread its way into the profile, lending a gentle edge that contrasts beautifully with the evolving complexity. A bright hint of fruit surfaces—delicate at first—before ripening into a crisp, grapefruit-like citrus near the close of the second third.
In the final third, the spice returns with vigor, enriching the finish with a satisfying intensity. The fruit tones linger gracefully on the palate, leaving a lasting impression of balance and sophistication.
This is an awesome cigar that deserves a box buy. I rate this a solid 95.
Point Deductions: (-1) Mild Wave midway but no touch up required
Bonus Points: (+1) Box Buy; (+1) Complex and Balanced across Multiple Samples
