This past February, I took a trip over to Cigarz on the Avenue in Winter Park, FL do meet up with Mel Shah from MBombay Cigars. During that visit I took the opportunity to do a review of the this fine lounge which you may have already read. As I was getting to leave, I was introduced to Siobhan Rodriguez the owner of a small boutique cigar company known as Tabacú Cigars based out of nearby Lake Mary, Florida, and founded in 2011.
As the store was about to close, I did not have much time to chat with Mr. Rodriguez but I was kind enough to purchase one of his cigars to eventually review. Today is that day, when I will break down the Tabacu Maduro blend.
If you search online, there is little information about this brand, but Mr. Rodriquez did tell me they are working on revamping the company’s website and online presence. They currently have a Facebook and Twitter (@TabacuCigars) presence. As far as the cigars themselves, the company produces them in Tamboril, Santiago, Dominican Republic. I further contacted Mr. Rodriquez to get the blend of this particular cigar and he explained it as:
- Wrapper – San Andres
- Binder – Cuban seed Dominican
- Filler – Criollo 98 , Corona ligero , Seco Cuban seed Dominican
The Tabacú Maduro blend is available in 4 vitolas and comes packaged in 25-count boxes:
- Double Figurado – 5 x 52 x 48 (MSRP $8.99)
- Robusto – 5 x 52 (MSRP $9.99) *may be discontinued
- Chisel – 6 x 52 (MSRP $9.99)
- Torpedo – 6 x 52 (MSRP $9.99)
For this review I sampled the Tabacú Maduro Robusto vitola which I picked up at Cigarz on the Avenue.
Pre-Light Examination
The Tabacú Maduro Robusto boasts a medium-dark brown and toothy wrapper that has few noticeable veins and is finished with a well applied cap. The wrapper leaf has a deep marbled texture to it. The cigar has a decent weight in the hand and looks to be well constructed with tight seams and solid packing.
The cigar is adorned with a single band which is quite ornate and proudly states Tabacú in the center. Interesting thing about this band, if you search for Tabacú Cigars you will find a hit for the graphic artist that designed it – H. Gurlitz Scott . A little more searching and you can even find a chat dialogue where people are giving congratulations on the design. As for me, I think it is a cool design.
Running the Tabacú Maduro across the nose I was treated to a spicy barrel and fruity and cocoa foot. I like that combination and it tells me that the leaf has been properly fermented and aged.
I sliced the cap and the cold draw was a little bit on the side of open and it delivered a light but growing peppery spice that warmed the lips the more your puffed on it.
OK, it was time to fire it up and see how the Tabacú Maduro performs….
Cigar Review Notes
Tabacú Maduro
Tabacú Maduro
Tabacú Maduro
Tabacú Maduro
Tabacú Maduro
- Initial light delivers pepper, especially on the nose
- Medium grey ash develops on a medium char line
- Some natural tobacco sweetness tones down the pepper after about an inch
- Ash held tight for an inch and half before falling
- Flat and centered burn cone
- The pepper and sweetness balanced well
- The pepper moves more to a sweet cinnamon near the end of the first third
- Dry leather notes join the profile
- Dark chocolate (like 85%) notes enter midway; if you don’t know this flavor go buy 85% dark chocolate and taste.
- Cinnamon maintains through the second third and helps to balance the chocolate which can have a sense of bitterness
- Clean straight burn and full volume of smoke
- Strength moves from medium at the start up to full
- Roasted nut notes and aroma appear at the end of the second third
- Finishes with sweet cinnamon spice
- Total Smoking Time was 1 hour and 25 minutes
Overall, for a small company, Tabacú Cigars and Mr. Rodriguez have managed to produce a quality blend and solidly constructed cigar with their Tabacú Maduro. I am a big fan of San Andres leaf and they have been able to wrap that around a filler and binder combination to produce an error free and pleasurable smoking experience. If you would like to try this blend or others in the Tabacú Cigars lineup, I know Cigarz on the Avenue carries the full line.
Tabacú Maduro