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 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.

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.

In 1979, a couple buddies and I flew on a Sikorsky helicopter from San Pedro to Catalina Island. Also on board, was actor David Carradine…and he was accompanied by two Hippie chicks in muumuus. We rented one of those silly golf carts so Doug, Jim, and I could circle the island. When we found an area without tourists, we pulled over and found a place to light up a joint. It wasn’t two minutes later that out of the bush came Carradine and his paramours. He asked, “Do I smell weed?” We nodded. David pulled out a huge mamajamma spliff, lit it up, and passed it around. We sat there laughing while he told us stories about the making of his early 70’s tv hit, “Kung Fu.” At one point, he asked me to get up and he got into position. I thought he was going to kill me, but he gently showed his moves in slow motion. Jim and Doug went pale from fear that Carradine, who was under the influence of weed and booze, was going to break my arms. As soon as it was clear that David was a gentle soul, everyone relaxed. He said he had to go and walked back into the impenetrable chapparal with his Hippie girls in tow; who were not lookers. Later, I wondered why I didn’t tell Carradine, “It was a pleasure. David…you’re a good hang.” We could have watched his face drain of color.

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 the 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.

In the late 90’s, The Todd Hart Band played a New Year’s Eve gig at the Greyhound Park in Phoenix. The year before, the press discovered a mass burial ground of greyhounds that didn’t make the cut as true racers. The rescue program began after that. Handlers had a gaggle of greyhounds at the party in an effort to raise awareness. Naturally, we adopted a one-year-old scrub. Her name was Tansy. Probably given that name as she was tan like a deer. The dog wanted nothing to do with me the first 6 months because the male handlers were cruel. But she eventually warmed up to me and Tansy became my dog. I took her to the park, and I’d tell her to ‘stay.’ I’d run 100 yards away. I’d yell, “Come Tansy!” These dogs can run 45mph. The first time scared me to death as I saw her aiming right for me. In the last few seconds, I wondered what it’s like to be hit by a 75lb Moped. A split second before she mowed me over, she swerved. I swear I could see a smile on her face. 2 years later, I was walking her at night, and I broke the cardinal rule: I let her off the leash. She took off and a drunk in a huge truck hit her. I ran to her and she was alive but hurt badly. I tried to comfort her but because of the trauma, she took that huge snout and bit the crotch out of my pants…but my wiener survived. Later that night, the vet called and said they had to put her down. I’ve never forgiven myself for breaking that rule. Don’t stare at this pic too long.

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.

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, and you need to take a breath, boy do I have a cigar for you. I recommend that you allow them to sleep a couple months to get the best from the blend.

Go to Krazy Katman’s Bargain Basement and snag a few fivers. Two sizes are available: Double Robusto (5.75 x 52) for $3.60, and Salomone (7.1 x 58) for $4.00. I don’t get a cut from sales, but Cigar Page keeps me in fur lined Depends and nubile Ethiopian super models that aren’t afraid of free roaming ferrets. My favorite marmot, Señor Tito Hector Gonzalez-Gonzalez, annoyed super model Keiuranda…and ended up as bedroom slippers. P.S. I don’t often buy Salomones because most cigars don’t wear it well. But the Megilla MSA Salmone is pretty cool…and the price is right.

RATING: 93

Categories: CIGAR REVIEWS

Tags: cigar page, cigar reviews, cigar reviews by the katman, cigars, katman, Krazy Katman’s Bargain Basement Vol. 14 ~ Megilla MSA | Cigar Reviews by the Katman, phil kohn