Today I would like to talk once again about Tabacalera Caballeros which was recently launched with the introduction of 3 cigar blends, Maduro, Habano, and Connecticut. Each blend is offered in three popular vitolas, each packaged in 25-count boxes:
- Robusto (5 x 52) – MSRP $7.00
- Toro (6 x 54) – MSRP $8.00
- Gordo (6 x 60) – MSRP $10.00
Today I will be presenting my take on their Maduro blend expressed in the toro vitola. The blend is described as:
- Wrapper – San Andreas
- Binder – Sumatra
- Filler – Proprietary
Like all Tabacalera Caballeros, the maduro is handcrafted at the Tabacalera Caballeros factory in Tamboril, Dominican Republic.
Cigars for this review were provided by the company for the purpose of reviewing on Stogie Press.
Pre-Light Examination
The Tabacalera Caballeros Maduro is cloaked in a veiny and toothy, dark brown marbled wrapper. The packing feels firm from head to foot. A simple cap completes the construction.
A single band adorns the cigar using a gold, red, black, and white motif. The company’s logo is proudly displayed in the center with the blend “MADURO” printed in white below. The band is rimmed in gold on the top and bottom.
Running the cigar along the nose, I picked up pungent barnyard and spicy notes along the barrel, while I was offered fruit and spice off the foot.
Using my CigarMedics Baller cutter, I opened the cap perfectly and gave it some cold draw puffs that I found to just fine with restriction. The draw delivered notes of tanginess and a touch of peppery spice.
Using my single flame Xikar lighter, I warmed the foot to an even orange glow and drew in the first puffs of mildly peppered smoke to start the journey. Follow along as I burn this one to ash.
Cigar Review Notes
- Mild pepper notes start the journey off the first puff
- A white ash forms on top of a medium thick and mildly wavy char line
- Fruit notes join the mix early both in taste and aroma
- There is a bitter bite to the profile early on though
- Fruit aroma starts to evolve more after an inch of burn
- The ash dropped in decent chunk revealing a flat but centered burn cone
- Baking spice notes begin to enter along with a shift to a syrupy aroma
- The ash starts to get flaky in the second third and a slight off burn develops
- A pleasant cracker note build in the profile midway
- Spice notes pick up deep in the second third and down through the final
- Medium Plus in Strength
- Total Smoking Time was 1 hour and 35 Minutes
Final Analysis
The Tabacalera Caballeros Cigars Maduro Toro journey commences with a gentle introduction of mild pepper notes upon the initial draw. Early on, both in terms of taste and aroma, the palate is graced by the entrance of fruity notes, imparting a delightful sweetness to the experience. However, there is an early bitter bite in the overall profile. As the burn progresses, the fruit aroma takes on a captivating transformation, becoming more pronounced and inviting with the emergence of subtle baking spice notes and a shift towards a syrupy, alluring aroma. Midway through the journey, a tasty cracker note gradually builds within the overall flavor profile, adding an enjoyable textural element. Deep into the second third and persisting through the final stretch, the spice notes intensify as does the strength. Overall once past the early bite in the first third, the flavors and aromas settled in with a solid core of fruit notes, but the burn issues knock points off the overall score. You may want to check out a fver of these or pick up a sampler of the company’s line. I rate this an 89.
Point Deductions: (-1) Flaky Ash; (-1) Flat but Centered Burn Cone; (-1) Off Burn; (-1) Wavy Burn; (-1) Bitter bite in the early burn
