Wrapper: Ecuadorian Sumatra
Binder: Nicaraguan Jalapa
Filler: Nicaraguan, Dominican, Peruvian
Size: 6 x 50 Toro
Strength: Medium
Price: $13.25
Factory: Tabacalera La Isla, Dominican Republic
Released: October 2024
Quantity Released: Regular Production
My cigars received 3 months of naked humidor time.
THE WHOLE MEGILLAH:
The brain is a wonderful thing. Marked and branded aromas are floral and Nehi Grape Soda.
I love my PerfecDraw. Does my PD tool love me back? No. It can’t. Silly question. I feel my sock being tugged on…er, not my sock. I put my fingers in the flicking position. The PD tool scurries away like my lost youth. I smile. I hear a faint fuck you.
The cold draw sings folk songs from Northern Ecuador and Southern Lake Tahoe. Floral palm fronds, spicy root beer, peanut shells, creamy cashews, and black pepper.
Torch meets the foot and the torch wins. I fought the law.
A blast of super richness as soon as I light up. This is my third cigar and each was consistently yummy. The act of doing it more than once is important. Most cigars can’t replicate consistency and therefore wither and die. I have a humidor full of those doggie downers.
Immediate complex flavors of smoky oak, peanut butter, smoky almonds, freshly baked bread, mild black pepper, and cream soda.
Moments later, a lovely fruity sweetness appears. The balance of savory v. sweet is spot on. Amazing.
Creamy nuttiness is nearly overwhelming as it is impossible to get the grin off my puss. Great smoke.
Individual flavors are important but not as much as a blistering hit to the deeply rich bleachers. That elusive definition of richness. What is it? Why does it matter? Why is it sleeping on my couch? Who’s its daddy? This is the imprecise factor that most smokers look for without being aware of it. And if present, it is the sole reason they give it a big thumbs up. Fullness and profundity are the first thing to alert you that it’s a good cigar, and not because it tastes like cocoa, espresso, nuts, earth wind and leather, and black pepper.
Nice smoke output.
In my old age, I find myself gravitating towards blends like the Matilde Special Edition. The smoothness of the Ecuadorian Sumatra wrapper is soothing and inviting. The Nic guts give the blend some kick. The rare Peruvian leaves give the cigar a unique aromatic and fruity butteriness.
On my walk home from middle school, I’d stop at Burgermeister. Hamburgers were 19¢. French Fries were 15¢. I couldn’t afford the burger. I chose instead to grab a bottle of Nehi Grape Soda for 10¢ across the street. Ba ba ba ba Barbara Ann…
10 minutes in: sweet citrus, buttery schmaltz, honey buns, and smoked brisket.
Construction is solid. The char line is regimental.
Flavors welcome a shimmering Tin Roof Sundae that is naturally adorned with Spanish peanuts.
My 50-year-old orthopod told me he can’t smoke cigars any longer because his cholesterol was off. I stared in horror. What? He replied: “I don’t want to die.” His eye physician wife stood next to him nodding in fierce agreement. Ah, the wife is always right. Can you even imagine…
When I’m reminded by my healthcare professionals that I should quit smoking cigars, I tell them this: “You don’t live longer. It just seems longer.” …George Bernard Shaw
I tend to meander more these days. It’s organic and I don’t push it. What’s a girl to do. Since my nuts are receding and my pubescent pinkaroo is diminishing, I thought maybe doing the transmogrification thing. But then…I thought I’m moody enough. On the other hand, I already tell lumbering stories that go nowhere.
Your wife: So, your mother went to the store. On the way there, she picked up your aunt and then they couldn’t decide which store to visit first. Your aunt argued that it was smarter to hit Walmart first and then go to the grocery store. Your mother got lost because she wasn’t paying attention, and your aunt had no idea where they were. So, your aunt said…
You: What happened?
Your wife: Your mom dropped dead in the produce section.
This blend is dancing the phantasmagoria. The light fandango. The tangerino.
The funny thing is musicians who triumphed in making a successful career don’t feel the need to overdo road stories. Their heads are so full of that crap, that they try to suppress it. Me? Only a dozen years in the pro end of the business before I became a weekend warrior, so I’m willing to unload. You’re welcome.
The cigar is zooming and not facetiming. I’m impressed with the balance. On one hand we have savory: creaminess, peanuts, black pepper, rye toast, brisket, and bright cedar. On the sweet side of the menu: chocolate, honey graham crackers, sweet tea, summer peaches, and honeysuckle flowers.
Dick Clark offered me a gig. We shot countless national tv spots like those shown on Entertainment Tonight before we did the Clark extravaganza. The shoot was at the production company in the actual executive office of the man himself. Clark watched and was amused. He knew Butch from the inception of The Munsters. Turns out that every time I did an on-location segment for some show, there was a 20 something who was both the producer and on-air talent. It was their job running the show. Off course, they didn’t know squat. I gave suggestions on the subject matter and how to shoot the thing which would favor my client and the reporter as well. They learned something and so did I. When I got back to the recording studio that afternoon, I got a phone call from Mr. Clark. He offered me a position as a production assistant. It just so happened that 1983 was a huge growth year for his company. I immediately said yes but then wavered. The pay was only $7 an hour. Only $22 in 2025 dollars. Sure, almost everyone that started as a P.A. grew into very substantial positions. But my Eddie Munster project was in the screaming Mimi phase. I had a fortune invested in the thing. Still, I felt assured that my recording studio could run itself with the right staffing. I sighed and then reneged my yes decision. Was there ever a what if? Sure. But this was no guarantee of a happy ending. Any number of things could have derailed the alternate reality. In my wisdom years, I don’t regret my choice. You can only take so many chances when the opportunity arises. I took my share.
The first half was delicious. How does a blend top scrumptious? The Matilde Special Selection describes itself in its name. It’s been every bit as mouthwatering as a Big Kahuna burger and a tasty beverage.
The second half? Holy shit in Ozzie’s handbag.
The depth was merely warming up during the first 3”. Where have I heard that?
In the 60’s, even worse than being in a cover band and playing In A-Gadda-Da-Vida over and over, was playing Green Onions. A 1-4-5 tune the crowd loved but was merely a way stop before we played the new Sunshine of Your Love.
The peanuts become creamy. The mild citrus becomes lemonade with a mint sprig. The milk chocolate becomes a Mars Bar. Stewart Copeland lived on Snickers. He didn’t care so much for the wonderful world of British and European chocolates. I thought he was nuts. I had a thing for Dutch black licorice. I shat myself regularly.
The blend is not only rich but complex in the right places. Transitions are paced perfectly. Blender’s intent be damned. This is the full hog. Is it a flavor bomb? No. It’s the whole package that allows us cigar smokers to love this filthy habit. You want to see a woman’s eyes go dim…tell her you’re a cigar smoker.
Tangerine is a real flavor now. Not just a subtle hint. I want more of these. I want a box.
I nubbed it and the flavors just linger like an unwanted house guest…never goes away and refuses to wash the dishes. Later, I plan on gargling the ashes from the ashtray for a re-animated experience.
If you like the taste of Casdagli blends, Fuente Dominican blends, Principle blends, or Atabey blends, and want to save a few bucks, the Matilde Special Edition is your first choice. Greatly enjoyed the entire 2 hours…this is an excellent cigar my huckleberries…goodness, gracious, it is a regular production blend.
You can purchase the Matilde Special Edition from sponsor Small Batch Cigar. Take 10% off with promo code KATMAN.
RATING: 98
Check out Katman’s Kartel at Small Batch Cigar and score deals on cigars from My Top 32 Cigars of 2023 ~ Rated 96 or Higher! Use promo code: KATMAN for 10% off.
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Categories: CIGAR REVIEWS
out of stock! You temptress, you siren singer of wonder now we must wait as this sounds like a top stick hope they get some soon
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