Wrapper: Mexican San Andrés
Binder: Nicaraguan
Filler: Nicaraguan
Size: 5.7 x 52 Double Robusto
Strength: Medium/Full
Price: $8.00
Date Released: June 2024
Quantity Released: Regular Production
Factory: Tabacalera Pages, Nicaragua

BACKGROUND:
From Cigar Page:
“Megilla MSA is a luscious new blend that plays off the success of the original Megilla. Draped in a deep, dark, oily and alluring Mexican San Andres wrapper, this Raymond Pages-made beauty is rolled entubado style and features a triple cap. Burns beautifully, with a crisp white ash and gobs of voluminous smoke output. The Maduro wrapper is paired with Nicaraguan long fillers to deliver a potpourri of flavor including nuts, earthiness, semi-sweet cocoa, cedar and leather. Medium-plus in body, it’s complex and satisfying with a long finish.”

The Megilla MSA comes in 3 sizes: 5.7 x 52 ($8.00), 6.5 x 48 ($7.00), 6 x 58 ($10.00), and Salamone 7.1 x 58 ($9.00).

THE WHOLE MEGILLAH:
The pattern is that there is a 50/50 chance of giving an expensive cigar a good and hearty thumbs up. If I review a budget cigar, the chances rise to 90/100 otherwise why I would waste my, or your, time. There is no mystery to my process.

Raymond Pages, a disciple of AJ Fernandez who worked side by side with him for years, went all knuckles and elbows at the start a few years ago. But certain people I know had to get him to settle down and age his cigars properly before he sent them to market. And while I genuinely have liked a couple early blends, his current releases are 100% better.

It’s a purty cigar with an even box press, that despite missing the constraints of a cedar box, maintains its nearly sharp corners. There is fine tooth, consistent oily beauty from one stick to the other, and veins are minimal. The weight is acceptable. Sniffing the doggy shows my olfactory senses a good time with notes of Gran Marnier, dark chocolate, damp mons venus, baking spices, fruitiness, and spicy red pepper.

My PerfecPunch’s 8mm tool goes to work on a small target. With derring do, the mission is accomplished and needs not wear a flight suit on the deck of an aircraft carrier.

The cold draw produces more Gran Marnier, dark chocolate, rich espresso, Brazil nuts, malt, black cherries, red pepper, and deep earthiness.

My windows are frozen shut due to -40° wind chill. I’ve never seen anything like this in our 18 years in Wisconsin. I have the willies not being able to open the window even a crack without putting the hair dryer to work. What if I need to escape the IRS? What if the cat needs to breathe non-smoky air? What if my wife, who has possessed a Green Card for 50 years, finds herself running for her life? Wait…she’s white. Never mind. I’ll leave the windows shut.

Will I compare this cigar to AJ blends? Will I compare it to the P word? Will I compare it to the brilliant Katman/Stulac cigar? Dunno. I remove the white foam from my mouth and light ‘er up.

A sassy start with lovely earthiness, fruitiness, and chocolate love. And just enough tartness to offset what might be a sweet heavy balance. Strength is medium.

Spoiler alert: I’ve been smoking at least one MSA daily. I’ll never get to the point where they get to age unless I burn out, which is inevitable. I went behind Alex’s back and bought a couple more bundles. You’re not going to believe the deal I got you until you see the sales page.

Sweet v. savory gets to 50/50 at half an inch in.

Here’s the deal. The prices of this cigar look cheap. And cheap turns heads away because it’s how we’re self-taught. But the reality should be a teaching moment. This should educate on what it really costs to make cigars and the profit margins in play. I can’t name names but there is a right leaning wingnut who has his own line, and he is selling supposed incredible cigars…that he bought from the conference table of Oliva for $1.00. The margin on Raymond Pages’ cigars is minimal to promote sales. Cigar Page keeps their margin low. So whattya’ got? A good cigar that is affordable for everyday enjoyment. I shove my snobbish attitude to the curb and I’m all in. A side note: I have to push and slobber intensely to get Alex to give me a leg up on suggestions. He respects the process, which is fine, but I have a need to know. After countless electric shocks, therapeutically administered under controlled circumstances, he got the picture. Is this a sales pitch? Damn straight, Skippy.

Earthy goodness with real depth. No fucking around. Is this a Padron? Fuck no. The Cigar Page staff compares Megilla MSA favorably to HVC Seleccion No.1 Maduro, Oliva Serie V Melanio Maduro, and San Lotano Requiem Maduro. OK. That works. What they forgot to mention is those cigars take months of home detention before they begin to provide a taster’s choice. The Megilla MSA gets down and dirty upon receipt. I’m sure with extended humidor time, they will exceed those esteemed colleagues, but sometimes I just got no patience. I could drop dead tomorrow…you, the day after.

The first half was a nice medium strength blend with appropriate behavior. Transitionally, it fell into line. No sharp abutments or falling off a cliff. A pleasant flavor profile that I must have, or I will put a cigar down and it ends up in the trash bin.

More spoiler alert…I’m not smoking an $8 stick. It’s on sale for less than $5. And with a promo code good until the end of February, you won’t believe your eyes. And you won’t have to rush to judgment with an immediate purchase. Take your time, mull it over, wait 5 minutes…and go. Remember, it’s a regular production cigar. No hurry.

I’m screaming laughter. Smooth and delicate…like me after my monthly shower. Earthy sweetness. Like me before I get some. And rotundly decisive…after I get some.

But does the second half do me a solid? I don’t know. I’ve smoked so many of these bastards that I can’t remember. Or do I?

Remember, I’m doing this review on an empty stomach, not counting the 1.6 liters of Folgers in my possession. Maybe I’m amazed.

This cigar won’t replace your beloved blends. But if you need a change from those fucking $18 sticks so you can take a breath, boy do I have a cigar for you. You can trust me or you don’t. I don’t care because I know the truth.

You can Purchase Megilla MSA from sponsor Cigar Page. Once again, my brother Alex Gougher says to my followers: “Willkommen, Bienvenue, Welcome, Come on in…with another 15% off with promo code KAT0226.

RATING: 92

Categories: CIGAR REVIEWS

Tags: cigar page, cigar reviews, cigar reviews by the katman, cigars, katman, megilla msa, Megilla MSA | Cigar Reviews by the Katman, phil kohn, raymond pages