One of the latest releases from Micallef Cigars is the two new vitolas for their famed Leyenda brand that has been in the company’s portfolio since the company’s start. The new sizes, a robusto and a toro, debuted in March at some event but was officially released this month (May 2023).
As part of a press release, Al Micallef, the company’s founder stated:
“I can’t wait to get this cigar in the hands of cigar lovers. These new Leyenda’s are smoking great. I am so proud of the work coming out of our factory. This is the best cigar we’ve made so far.”
The blend is described as:
- Wrapper – Ecuadorian Habano
- Binder – Nicaraguan
- Filler – Dominican Republic, Honduras and Nicaragua
As noted they are expressed in 2 vitolas, each packed in 25-count boxes:
- Robusto (5 x 52) – MSRP $10.50
- Toro (6 x 52) – MSRP $11.50
For this review, I sampled one of the Micallef Cigars Leyenda Toros which was part of the package I received at the Smoke Inn Great Smoke 2023. It has been resting my humidor for 2 months.
Pre-Light Examination
The Micallef Cigars Leyenda sports a dark brown slightly veiny and marbled wrapper. There is not much oily sheen to the leaf. The cigar is solidly packed and firm from head to foot. The wrapper has just a mild tooth to it. A triple cap finishes the construction nicely.
Two bands adorn this version of the Leyenda. The primary band uses the company red, blue and gold logo and proudly displays it in the center of the band, which pops nicely on the background of the wrapper leaf. The secondary band is a blue and gold die cut band that boldly states LEYENDA. There are also a series of gold tobacco leaves above the brand name.
Running the Leyenda along the nose I noted the sweet and spicy notes along the barrel while the foot exudes earthy and light peppery notes.
Using my CigarMedics Baller cutter, I opened the cap perfectly and gave it some cold draw puffs that I found to be just fine with restriction and offered notes of spice, sweetness, and earth.
With the pre-light out of the way, I used my double flame torch to warm the foot to an even orange glow as I drew in the first puffs of enticing honey and pepper notes. What a great start. Follow along as burn this one to ash!
Cigar Review Notes
- Honey and pepper notes start the journey
- A butter cracker aroma wafts off the foot
- Honey sweetness builds as the pepper recedes a bit
- Light grey ash has formed on top of a wavy thin char line
- Smooth full volume of smoke on every draw keeps the palate pleased
- Ash fell in a decent chunk revealing a flat but centered burn cone
- A slight off burn develops that required a touch up
- Aroma shifts to more of a sweet graham cracker
- Dark chocolate notes enter moving into the second third
- Added spice notes join the mix
- Mild fruit notes appear deep in the second third
- A sweet cream nuance takes it into the final with continued spicy notes
- Medium in Strength
- Total Smoking Time was 1 hour and 40 minutes
Final Analysis
I absolutely loved how the Micallef Cigars Leyenda journey commences with delightful honey and pepper notes that tantalize the senses while there is a fragrant aroma of buttery crackers gracefully drifting through the air. As the experience unfolds, the sweetness of honey intensifies, while the pepper notes begin to diminish. With each draw a voluminous smoke envelops the palate. The aromatic profile undergoes a transformation in the second third, transitioning into the realm of sweet graham crackers as rich dark chocolate notes make their entrance, captivating the senses. The complexity is further enhanced as a blend of added spice notes join the mix. If that was not enough, deep within the second third, subtle hints of fruit make an appearance, further enhancing the taste profile. Finally, as the cigar reaches its grand finale, a luscious sweet cream nuance emerges, intermingling with the persistent spicy notes that have accompanied the journey until now. This is certainly worth a fiver and I rate this a 91.
Point Deductions: (-1) Wavy Burn; (-1) Off Burn; (-1) Touch Up Required; (-1) Flat but centered burn cone
Bonus Points: (+1) Pleasantly Complex and Balanced
