Robert McConnell Maduro

Robert McConnell - Maduro.

A blend I reviewed years back and have re-posted as I thought I could do better.

Whether or not Maduro implies cigar notes doesn't really concern me, this is a review based on the blend itself:

The ribbons are just below medium in size, almost black in colour, and the hydration of this tin was perfect the moment I opened it. This helps with ignition, and once burning it's a fairly cool smoke. To me, the only link between the flavour this and a Maduro cigar is the sweetness; I don't get rum like a lot of other folks identify, but I do get a dark molasses type of sweetness. Another thing I get none of is bite, whether sipped or sucked. The only tobacco flavour to come forward is a simple Virginia Cavendish one, I get nothing else.

Maduro gives a thick and palpable smoke, good for the palate, but not so good for the room: plumes of smoke! And it's very mild with nicotine.

This is a very nice smoke, one that would be great after dinner: the smoke has the sticky texture of a strong aromatic, but not oodles of false flavour.

Highly recommended.

The rum is very light, and the perique is raisin-like with no spice to speak of. The Virginias are very mild with light hay notes and virtually no sweetness. I have no idea why it's labeled as "maduro" because nothing in this blend presents what I think of when I see the term employed. Has almost no nicotine. No chance of bite or harshness. It burns slightly fast and cool, with a very dull flavor. Leaves little moisture in the bowl, and needs an average number of relights. Has no real after taste to speak of.

-JimInks

This is one of the most disappointing blends that i have smoke due to the huge disparity between the tin aroma, which is fantastic, and the flavor and complexity during the smoke, both of which are nonexistent. It is like going to a steak house and being told that they have run out of everything except for chicken!

The tin aroma is one the best, if not the best, I have ever encountered. Fantastic, rich, and mouthwatering. The tobacco is also a beautiful dark, dark brown, and it is just really very enticing. Savor this, because it is all downhill once you put it into the pipe.

It packs fine, but does not light readily, and requires regular relights. Worst of all, it has no flavor. The perique is non-existent, it is weak in strength, and it provides only a very basic tobacco flavor, with no depth or complexity. while it gets a little better throughout the bowl, it does not develop near enough to justify wasting precious smoking time with this when there are a world of other blends out there that are so much better, including many by Robert McConnell. Were it not for the great tin aroma I would give this one star, but dammit sometimes I just crack the tin and sniff it because it smell so good, and then smoke something else when it it time to get down to business.

I want to be clear and for this reason I try to answer the doubts concerning this tobacco. First of all the name Maduro is misleading: there is no cigar leaf in this blend. Not at all! Second, without any doubt there is Perique in this mixture and you can taste it from the beginning to the end. Third, maybe there is a sprinkling of rum but it is not leading and it is not so evident. Fourth, Virginia is certainly predominant and there is not only steamed Virginia, but also stoved and toasted Virginia. Fifth, there is a little casing and also a final topping. But the real problem is to establish which kind of mixture you are smoking. I mean Maduro can be a Virginia/Perique mixture; but it could be better a flavored mixture or a simply aromatic blend. And for the reason that Virginia is leading, overwhelming, it could be interpreted as a straight Virginia. To you the choice. In my opinion Maduro is an aromatic flavored mixture, but I have to admit that for the first time I’m struggling (I often think to a Va/Pe slightly flavored). Finally, because of the taste and of the hybrid nature, in my personal system rating (from 1 to 10) my score is 7 and two stars

Seems to be some controversy about the ingredients of this blend. Taste to me like a Red Virginia Cavendish with a touch of rum. I find the flavor to be very pleasant and not as weak as some reviewers have stated. Tangy and mildly fruity with a touch of molasses and very distinct note that reminds me of marshmallows. Quite nice. 4 stars.

Body, taste, and nic are mild to medium. Flavoring is very mild. After drying it burns very well.

“Maduro” is the Spanish word for “ripe” and is use cigar-wise to refer to the extra time required and the dark colours achieved during the natural fermentation of maduro wrappers. Typically these wrappers are oily, plush with flavor, and earthy to the nose. Etymology lesson over. If you want "Maduro" cigars, then buy Maduro cigars. Or crumble cigar butts into the blandest flake pipe-tobacco you can find. I made the mistake years ago of expecting cigar taste, then I went away for a few years and did some language research to broaden my mind. "Maduro" pipe tobacco means Ripe or darkly coloured .. which it is. I developed a palate too ( not palette, that's something different. Learning English would also be of benefit to some.) Tobacco blenders and producers waste their time on some smokers , who have asbestos tongues and palates like the soles of a lime-burners boots. This Maduro is for connoisseurs of fine tobaccos.

Well, I pay quite frequent visits to Maduro and just going to finish this current tin, maybe 2/3 years old. The smell of the tobacco in the tin I say it's "elegant". I can smell both the rum topping and the Perique (not of stewed fruits, but vinegarish). I really like it. Instead, the smoke I say it's "understated", which is not necessarily a bad thing. I'm forced to search all the notes - sweet, piquant and liqueurish - with attention, and dedicate myself to the pure act of smoking a pipe. In this way, as soon as I get the right rythm, those very delicate nouances make their appearance and make this tobacco pleasant and fascinating. This makes Maduro be a leisure tobacco, not an all-day stuff. Unattentive smoking makes it flat and bitey. Three stars.

UPDATE JAN30/2009

well, I should confirm my previous considerations. Nevertheless:

1. in the pamphlet of the importing company for Italy the description of Maduro doesn't include Perique anymore, it's described as Virginia + Carolina (?).

2. Maduro is still fascinating me (beautiful the almost black weed colour, heavenly the tin aroma), and sure I will smoke it occasionally, but I have to revise my recommendation and cut one star off. Too difficult to get a completely satisfactory smoke.

McConnell's Maduro smokes cool and is a unique smoke due to the cut and presentation. Multiple bowls can be consumed in the same day without fatigue. The added cigar leaf is barely detectable if it is there at all. A bowl of this lasts a long time and so does the lingering effects of the flavor.

I will say this, if ever there was a tobacco one could smoke multiple bowls of back to back, this would be it. Just too light on the palate for this cowboy.

My english is quite bad, but i do hope non disappointing as this tobacco. It looked good, but the flavour was uncertain and non pleasant when smoked.
Waste of money, helas.

Black Cavendish, Burley with some Virginia and a sprinkle of Perique. The rum topping is subdued but complements nicely the fig and raisin flavors. Too aromatic and weak for me but probably a good tobacco for Black Cavendish smokers.

Virginia lover