Wrapper: Nicaraguan Ligero Colorado

Binder: Nicaraguan

Filler: Nicaraguan (Ligero and Viso)

Size: 5 x 52 Robusto

Body: Full

Price: $6.50

This cigar is not new. I am not reviewing the flavor of the month. But I am reviewing a solid cigar with solid credentials.

Cigar Aficionado rated Casa Magna the #1 cigar of 2008 with an impressive score of 93.

Casa Magna is the effort of Manuel Quesada and Nestor Plascencia. No slouches in their field. There are two blends of the Casa Magna brand: Colorado and Oscuro. The Colorado line is a stronger Estelí tobacco with a sweeter Jalapa tobacco.

The history lesson is over.

Construction is solid, baby..with just the right amount of give. The Colorado wrapper is medium brown with tight seams and loads of veins. The cap is well done. There is some toothiness and a nice oily wrapper.

The sniffing detects some real barnyard smells. Oh man, it stinks of poop at the foot. Really bad.

So I hurriedly snip the cap and light the cigar.

The taste makes up for that god-awful smell. A red pepper note begins at the start. There is a wonderful flavor of toast and earthiness. And a lovely sweetness.

Right behind that are pumpkin pie flavors of cinnamon, nutmeg and allspice. The buttery smooth toast is my favorite flavor point. How the hell you can get a cigar to taste like toast is beyond me. Although if you really want to impress me, make it taste like fresh Maine lobster and drawn clarified butter. Now that would really knock my socks off.

The spiciness is very mild. And the burn line is uneven. I am not sure it will need my help at the one inch mark. The first third ends with no changes.

I begin the second third and can taste newly renovated red pepper resurgence. And the body is going from a standard medium to a slightly elevated medium…the Horses of the Apocalypse are on their way.

The sweetness is identified by sweet coffee. Along with some creaminess.

At the halfway point, the sweetness adds to its profile the taste of caramel making this cigar a trip to Starbucks.

There is also a slight nutty taste…maybe almonds…it’s so faint, I hesitate to confirm it.

The last third begins and with it, the strength of full body. There is a varied amount of earthiness to it. The spice is ramping up.

The burn is extremely uneven and I think I need to help it before it canoes on me..

The end of the cigar is very nice in flavor and strength. Although, for the life of me, I don’t understand this stick winning Best Cigar of 2008.

All of the aforementioned flavors make this an enjoyable cigar and since the price is very low, I would definitely recommend it. But it would not make my top 10 list regardless of what Cigar Aficionado says it is.

Categories: CIGAR REVIEWS