Wrapper: Ecuadorian Sun Grown Habano
Binder: Nicaraguan Ligero, Estelí
Filler: Nicaraguan Esteli and Jalapa, Honduran Jamastrán and Talanga
Size: 5 x 54 Robusto Grande
Strength: Medium/Full
Price: $15.00
Release Date: August 14, 2026
Quantity Released: 400 boxes of 10
Factory: La Tabacaria Cigars in Esteli, Nicaragua
My cigars received 2 days of naked humidor time.
BACKGROUND:
From Lure Cigars:
“As a follow-up to The Nereus cigar released earlier this year that used a sun grown Nicaraguan wrapper leaf, The Fat Matt is a chunky Robusto Grande featuring a rustic, chestnut-brown, flavorful sun-grown Habano wrapper from Ecuador. The binder is a bold ligero from Esteli, Nicaragua, and the filler tobaccos are from Esteli and Jalapa in Nicaragua, with earthy Jamastrán, and sweeter Talanga leaves from Honduras.
“The Fat Matt opens with notes of freshly roasted coffee and a subtle hint of citrus, followed by a gradual emergence of warm baking spices. As the smoke develops, delicate white pepper adds a touch of zest to the finish without overpowering the blend. The interplay of rich coffee, bright citrus, warming spices, and subtle sweetness creates a balanced and satisfying profile that remains engaging from the first draw to the last.”
THE WHOLE MEGILLAH:
I got a single cigar from a friend. I removed the cello and plotzed like a latke under the stress of being dressed in apple sauce and sour cream. The yellow oils are astonishing. I checked the backstory and could not find info about extended aging. Something manufacturers prefer to tout.
The brindle mottling is gorgeous as it looks like spotted dick on the sun grown wrapper. Aromas: rich graham crackers, sizzling butter, vanilla custard, and white pepper.
I pierce the toast with my PerfecPunch and I get a PerfecHole (To be released by Dr. Rod Kurthy in 2027). The cold draw is caramel, graham cracker, potato chips, white pepper, a touch of hay, fried bananas, baking spices, and candied lemon peel.
As the cigar tilts from my PerfecMouth, I get deeper insights into the blend that started with the sniffing portion, and then giving it the ol’ cold draw treatment. I love this 5 x 54 size. I rarely mention smoke output because who really cares, right? But this baby is pumping white clouds like a house ‘afire. Pretty cool.
A very buttery start with wonderful overtones of caramel, cinnamon, café au lait, and a touch of lemon sweetness. Nice, nice, nice.
Lou Cross puts out serious cigars. I don’t remember smoking one I didn’t like…but The Fat Matt is giving me ferretbumps. The strength starts at medium. Very smooth, rich, and dripping with possibilities. If this baby can maintain its erection, I’ll be buying more of these before I publish this review.
The ash is extremely gentle and needs a tap. I’m not of the school of smokers who try to create a pile of dimes at the end of my cigar. Or who think tapping is verboten. I’m just not a sophisticated guy.
This is my grandpa’s cigar. No idea why this popped up but as I look down my nose at the fatty, with cantaloupes of swirling white smoke and the oily tawny wrapper, I’m my grandfather. My grandfather was best friends with J.C. Newman…or Julius. He only sold his friend’s cigars at his saloon in Cleveland. And that’s all he smoked till the end of his life in 1979. Smoking with my Armin Kohn, when he’d come out to visit us in L.A., or when I went to visit him, is a treasured memory. It’s nice to get little sparks of recall with the psychotherapy of cigar smoking.
Photo: My grandfather is the guy behind the bar. Circa late 1930’s:
One inch gone and the cigar drips with complexity and richness. As I was going to type that the strength remains at medium, it creeps up on me and the power is upped. Initially, I was going to rag that this is not an after-dinner smoke. While a Padron 1926 Maduro is a great post supper cigar, I also love a natural to plow through a palate stuffed with wet kishka and spicy gefilte fish.
The second inch sees the café au lait surging to the forefront. This is not a spicy cigar which one expects from a medium/full stick. There is a smooth white pepper influence that finds itself tamed by the richness of the flavorful smoke. Not a flavor bomb. Subtle but upfront. Which makes no sense. Flavors are delicate and understated. As I lick my chops, the flavors hang in there and linger.
I want more of these. I was smart to go ahead and chance a review with only a single stick to my name.
The char line is sharp. The draw is spot on and never waivers. This is an incredible slice of silkiness. So, I take my time. I don’t rush. The cigar never goes out.
The first half was an excursion into the subtlety of a fancy French meal. This blend is completely different than previous cigars by Cross. I consider this a big deal, and I applaud Lure Cigars for being adventurous.
400 boxes are going to sell out fast once word spreads on social media. They were released a mere 5 weeks ago. There are Lure enthusiasts that may not like this cigar. Sophisticated guys will laugh and buy as many as possible. And the former will swear by their Xikars.
Here they are: cappuccino, candied lemon peel, Weetabix, caramel, white pepper, cinnamon, and perfectly balanced.
I can feel the ligero. My ass feels like it’s sitting in a large bowl of rice pudding. Fortunately, I’m wearing my PerfecDepends.
Pumpkin spice shows up. The savoriness of baked pumpkin seeds with a touch of salt follows. Transitionally, this cigar is a winner. It never gets comfortable or remains in stasis. How much is this cigar? $15. Not cheap but certainly punching above its weight class. You might easily see a blend like this in the $20+ range.
The natural sweetness ratchets up. I take my first sip of water, and a flood of flavors do the hokey pokey on my palate. This stupid dance was a curse for us born in the 1950’s. You couldn’t attend a birthday party without being forced into submission. Without direction, my lower torso sees uncontrolled putting my right foot out and then my right foot in. Oh god…it’s time for hokey pokey seppuku.
Great cigar. A journey that smokers crave. It delivers. Get some.
RATING: 95
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Categories: CIGAR REVIEWS
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