I was recently approached by one of my cigar smoking social media friends, Ms. Terri Binns, who wanted to send me some new cigars to try. Terri was talking about the new reborn Flor De Flores line of cigars that she had some samples of. Terri and I respect each other’s opinion on cigars and I told her I would be more than pleased to check them out. Flor De Flores, why does that name ring a bell? The Flores family has been making cigars here in the US since their arrival in the 1960s having fled their homeland during the revolution in Cuba. Señor Carlos Flores was a prominent member of the people’s revolution against Castro and like others was forced to leave his country and the family plantation that they ran for over 30 years.
That love of cigars stayed with him as he continued to ply his trade, rolling cigars in his kitchen, and the Florez cigar name was born here in the US. Long before the many well-known boutique brands we know and love today, Flor De Florez was growing in popularity both in Miami and eventually nationally. That was the 1900s and that is what I remember back in 1992 when I first moved to Florida. Being young and just enjoying cigars back then I did not know why they eventually disappeared from the shelves. We speed up the film to 2016 and once again I am introduced to an old friend as the samples from Terri arrived. Carlos Flores Jr. reintroduced the line in 2015.
I took them out of the packing and stored them in my humidor and headed off for a 3 week business trip to Germany and let Terri know I will smoke them when I return and we can compare notes. So here I am now 4 weeks later and the first of the Flor De Florez cigars is about to be turned to ash if I have my way. I selected the Flor De Florez Maduro Maduro toro (no, that is not a mistype) and head out to the Stogie Press lounge to experience this rebirth of an old friend.
The Flor De Florez Maduro Maduro comes in 3 regular production vitolas all in boxes of 20:
- Robusto 5×50
- Toro 6 1/3 x52
- Torpedo 6 1/3 x52
There is also a limited production 9 x 52 torpedo with a shaggy foot known as “The Broom”
The name Maduro Maduro is derived from the fact that the cigar is wrapped in a Mexican double maduro wrapper. The filler is a blend blend of tobaccos from Peru and Nicaragua with a Dominican binder. Carlos Flores Jr. describes it as a universal blend.
Examining the Flor De Florez Maduro Maduro Toro I quickly note the orange colored band. Some even know this cigar as the “Orange Label”. The color orange is the choice color of the Flor De Florez cigar company. The band is simple in design, with the words Flor De Florez printed in the center and small tobacco leave symbols scattered about all embraced by two black lines on top and bottom off the band.
Flor De Florez Maduro Maduro
Further study shows that this is a well packed cigar, solid from head to foot. The wrapper has a coffee bean brown with no discernable veins. There is a slight grit to the wrapper but not like some Mexican wrapped cigars that have a rough sand paper feel to them. There is a fresh aroma to this cigar; fresh like kitchen spice meets floral – enticing to say the least. After slicing the cap the cold draw delivered some earthy notes and a sprinkle of black pepper on the tongue.
Once fired up, the initial puffs offers some decent pepper and then some exotic spice enters mixed that floral and spice aroma. The ash is medium gray and fairly solid holding on to a pristine char line. Did I mention that the Flores family knows how to make cigars? Carlos Jr. spent many a day with his father in Miami learning the art and craftsmanship of quality cigars and this reintroduction of a classic is proof that he has not lost his touch.
Flor De Florez Maduro Maduro
The flavor of the Maduro Maduro is taking me back to the 1990s but I am trying to place the spice notes in it. But for now let’s keep saying it is just exotic and provides a long finish on the palate. Even with the spice the smoke is easy to retro-hale is quite smooth after just an inch of burn.
A touch of citrus enters along with some butter notes in a full body of creamy thick smoke that is just the right density for smoke rings.
Boston Jimmie
The spice settles down after the first third and a coffee note enters the profile with a touch of cream shortly after. There is that universal blend coming through, simply delicious. The ash finally fell after a good two inches of burn revealing its well-formed burn cone underneath.
As it moves into the final third there is a dried cherry component that enters and fires up other parts of the palate easily allowing me to declare this as a full flavor cigar. The cherry builds on the palate and the aroma shifts to spicy with a hint of nut and earth.
Overall the Flor De Florez Maduro Maduro Toro is one fine smoking experience that I highly recommend to all serious cigar smokers out there. It was a solid medium strength cigar with a full body of flavorful smoke throughout. Construction was spot on with zero issues. I reached out to Carlos Jr. after enjoying this 1 hour plus smoking experience and will meet him next week to talk more about the Flor De Florez line and his reintroduction to the market. I would like to thank Terri Binns for the sample and I owe you one sweetheart.
Flor De Florez Maduro Maduro
Great review! I haven’t had a chance to experience the Flor de Florez, but that Maduro Maduro sounds like it’s right up my alley!!!
Bob,If you get the chance get some and you will not be disappointed. Carlos Fores Jr. is coming back and I for one can say I am pleased. He has great pride in making his cigars not to mention the family heritage.
Thank You. We will have many more to come
Carlos is also member of the cigar dojo. I had him send me some. Fantastic cigars, all. Not a bum in the bunch. I’m hoping to see them at my B&M soon!
Not mention he is an all around nice guy