Cigar Aficionado's cigar of the year 2008. In a big fat 5 1/2 x 52 robusto version. Made by Nestor Plasensia & Manuel Quesada in Plasencia's Segovia factory in Esteli, Nicaragua. The binder and filler are Nicaraguan tobacco with a Colorado wrapper. I got this cigar in a bomb from Joetownhound.

Image

The wrapper is nice, dark & oily with just a few minor veins. The construction feels good and the band is quite nice. The cigar has a nice barnyard aroma. The predraw is fine and releases some pepper.

Image

I can taste a nice spicy coffee, lots of flavor, and soon a sour taste for a brief moment. The coffee slowly turns into wood and remains spicy. The flavors is a bit less then at the beginning.

Image

After an inch I can taste some dry leather with some wood. Halfway I discover a chocolate aftertaste and the leather is gone. The chocolate disappears too and all I can taste is the spicy, peppery wood flavor. At the 2/3r mark chocolate makes a comeback but disappears just as quick. Near the end the cigar gets stronger.

Image

I get a decent amount of smoke. The draw is fine, but the burn is a little crooked. The ash is very light colored and pretty firm. I liked this cigar, it's more than decent, but cigar of the year? I don't think so

Image

Would I buy this cigar again? Yeah, I wouldn't mind smoking it again, but it depends on the price.

Appearance: 8 / 10
Construction: 7 / 10
Draw: 7 / 10
Burn: 7 / 10
Smoke & ash: 7 / 10
Aroma first part: 8 / 10
Aroma second part: 7 / 10
Aroma third part: 7 / 10
[Reply]

thanks for the review. Got a couple I have been waiting for a warm day to smoke. The price would be less than $6 in the shops I have seen them in.
[Reply]

LOL, while watching Oprah!
[Reply]

Yes, I am unemployed at the moment, so I have the time to watch Oprah :-)
[Reply]

Another fine review Ferdie. :-)
[Reply]

Nice review, Ferdie. :-)
Posted via Mobile Device
[Reply]

Nice review Ferdie. These are pretty good cigars and the price is actually resonable.
[Reply]

Nice Review Ferdie! :-)

I have only smoked the Casa Magna Oscuro and have yet to try the Natural.
[Reply]

Good review. It is a fairly complex cigar for $5 and change.
[Reply]

Thanks for the review.. I have one of these warming up in the bullpen, and I have been waiting a LONG time to try it... :-)... Now, I'm looking more forward to it.
[Reply]

Well they are supposed to a five or six dollar cigar. They seem to be worth it at that price.
[Reply]

I smoked one of these Ferdie and I was pleasantly suprised. I really enjoyed it. Thanks for the review.
[Reply]

Far from the best cigar of 2008, but the one I had last year wasn't bad. Thanks for the review Ferdie:-)
[Reply]

:-)
[Reply]

i always enjoy your reviews - they're descriptive in a manner that i can easily relate to and yet, very economical.
[Reply]

I enjoyed the few small RG Magna's I have had.
[Reply]

I had never had one of these before being voted #1 in 2008. I REALLY enjoy them. As in, I think top 5 for me.
[Reply]

thank you
[Reply]