Wrapper: Mexican San Andrés
Binder: Nicaraguan
Filler: Nicaraguan
Size: 5.5 x 48 Corona Gorda
Strength: Full
Price: $12.50
My cigars have been marinating naked in my humidor for over 3 months.
BACKGROUND:
From Foundation Cigars:
“The Heart Land of the Olmecs is the tropical lowlands of modern-day Mexican states of Veracruz, Tabasco, and San Andrés Tuxtla. Today, this is the same region that grows some of the finest San Andrès Negro wrapper tobacco.
“This seed variety is considered one of the oldest seed varieties in the world. Olmec cigars contain the finest Nicaraguan filler tobaccos from the Esteli and Jalapa valleys. After fermentation, these filler tobaccos are bale aged for three years before arriving on the production floor.
“The San Andrés Negro wrapper tobacco comes from the rich volcanic soil of the land of the Olmecs. It is fermented slowly at low temperatures to preserve the natural oils that give flavor. The blend delivers a full-bodied smoking experience with rich flavors of cacao, dark espresso, and spice without being too aggressive.”
THE WHOLE MEGILLAH:
The wrapper smells like it was dipped into a vat of caramel, dark chocolate, and peppermint. Standing in queue are notes of black pepper, black licorice, cow patty, very heavy on the malt, and bourbon barrels.
I am fascinated that at my age, my schonozola still works. They say it is the third thing to go. Can’t remember the first two. (Badda-boom).
My PerfecPunch & Stand goes to work on a very tiny cap…I use the 8mm.
The draw is a bit tight but my hope it will loosen up once the sacrifice of fire begins. If not, I have my deadly PerfecDraw ready to reenact the shower scene in “Psycho.”
Tasty start. The cigar needed 3 months of being naked in my presence. It needed that time to let its juices flow from the inside out. I tried one a month in and was disappointed.
I’m not disappointed this time. Very rich with flavors of dark chocolate, red and black pepper, caramel, green apples, malt, creaminess, and Butter Rum Lifesavers.
The burn is slow as she goes. Construction is excellent. Perfect char line.
When we were around 19, my friends and I had a business buying wrought iron lamps in Tijuana and bringing them back and setting up an outside display at one guy’s house near the 405 offramp. We were killing it. We decided to check out the donkey v. girl phenomenon. Just like the movie, “The 40 Year Old Virgin,” it wasn’t as cool as you’d think. After maybe 10 minutes, we booked due to queasiness and just the feeling that this wasn’t right. Poor donkey. I still have nightmares of that animal smiling.
Strength is medium.
Complexity raises its head at 1” burned. 13 minutes. A lovely balance has been in place since I put fire to foot. The spiciness is not overbearing. The savory portions mix nicely with the sweetie pie allotment.
In every review, I continuously need to scroll up to check the price on the cigar. Just can’t remember most of the time. Therefore, i.e., ergo, a very decent cigar for the price of $12.50. Less with my sponsors…more like $10.50-$11.00.
The Beatles Redux. Amazon Music. A mish mosh of 60’s British and American hits. The one and only time I reached in to help myself and found the bra was stuffed with Kleenex was in the 60’s. My boner receded like a turtle head.
I like this blend. Not a flavor bomb. Lots of subtle notes that continue to entertain and inform. Like reading National Geographic magazine. It was the only porn available to a 13-year-old kid.
Smooth is tagged all over this blend. Transitions take their time and refuse to be rushed. The finish snags the entire flavor profile and holds it to its breast.
The ash amuses me.
This is not an intense blend at 1-1/2” burned. I look forward to the halfway point and what it may breed.
This cigar has been out for a while and maybe most of you have tried it. So, why am I reviewing it now? Dunno. I feel senility knocking at the door. I opened it recently to discover that my Caterpillar gas-powered wanking device was delivered.
Strength is still leveled out at medium.
Creamy, caramel popcorn, spicy, espresso, dark chocolate, peppermint, malt, tobacco earthiness, aged bourbon barrels, black walnuts, and black licorice. Very nice.
Again, construction is top notch. A polite burn pace.
Oh no…Petula Clark. ”Downtown.” 1964. Young boys were smitten. But we were only two years since the Cuban Missile Crisis. We expected to evaporate in a haze of plutonium at any time.
November 1963. Lunch time at school. A kid ran up to me and said that Kennedy was shot. I bellowed, “Steve Kennedy was shot?” At the 4th of July party we attended, I mentioned to a group of Millennial cops that I saw Ruby shoot Oswald live on TV. No one had any idea what I was talking about.
The halfway point arrives at 40 minutes. Very good for a Corona Gorda.
The level of complexity is fine but not exciting enough for me to disrobe and do the cha-cha on the balcony. Neighbors always think I’m bleeding out a big fat white deer.
Not a single person in Milwaukee has a tan. But then we never have shark attacks. The beasts think our 1/4 mile of beach is a joke. They just keep swimming towards Florida.
The first major sweet spot arrives. My lips curl over my nose. Holy shit. Flavors explode like an M-80 in the boy’s bathroom toilet.
The richness factor reaches a quantum physics problem. Had to take that class in college. A requirement for structural engineers. An entire classroom of confused students. Everyone cheated on their tests.
This is a perfect example of why I prefer this size. The intensity of flavors is something you just never see in a Gordo.
Oh Jeez…The Monkees. “I’m A Believer.” In ’83, Eddie Munster and I did radio and TV appearances in Chicago to promote the record. Peter Tork did the same thing at the same time. He said he hated The Monkees. That night at the club show, he played 10 tunes. Nine were Monkees’ songs. We traded Monkees tee shirts for Eddie and the Monsters tee shirts. I still have it.
Strength is upped to medium/full in the blink of an eye. Now we’re getting somewhere.
Flavors become passionate. The richness is yellow matter custard dripping from a dead dog’s eye. Yeah, babies.
Super rich. The smoothness factor reaches maximum velocity.
Wow. “I Am The Walrus” plays. I must be psychic. Crabalocker Fishwife.
I struggle to pace myself with puffs. But then the finish becomes flush with flavors in tandem with sips of water that mimic the physical act of cigar to mouth.
The Olmec Maduro is an excellent blend. A reasonable price point. And now enters the standing of becoming a very nice go-to cigar.
Strength is described as full. That would be correct with 2” to go. Tunnel vision is reached.
I much prefer blends that morph into a mind-numbing strength rather than starting out as IED’s.
If you haven’t tried this cigar, I highly recommend you snag some.
Final smoke time is 90 minutes.
You can purchase this cigar from sponsors Small Batch Cigar (10% off with promo code ‘katman’) or Atlantic Cigar (no promo code).
RATING: 93
Categories: CIGAR REVIEWS
Cigar Reviews by the Katman 
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