Robert McConnell Maduro

My tin claims there's Perique in the blend, and while prepared to accept that, I don't really detect it in the smoke. The tobacco has elements of both VA and Cavendish, and the rum is certainly there from start to finish. More of a 'sweetish' or sweetened blend than a really sweet one, this seemed a nice gentle smoke. I didn't find it nearly as boring as other reviewers, but no, it's not complex. Fans of mild blends who enjoy rum mixtures should give it a try.

I had to smoke a few bowls before my taste buds began to savor the flavor of this tobacco. At first it seemed..well..flat. But after giving it some time, this blend has become a keeper for me. Worth dedicating a good briar to. It has a mildly sweet, licoricey, and spicy flavor. The tastes linger for quite some time after smoking a bowl and are very soothing, putting my mind in a meditative state (as crazy as that may sound). A great "eaving" tobacco to unwind with.

William Serad reviewed this tobacco in the Winter 2001 issue of Pipes & Tobaccos. The above tin description is how he described it. I purchased a 100 gram tin soon afterwards & it lived up to his description; "dark...sweet though restrained, with the raisin influence of the Perique,...rum being a definite enhancement, having been laid in with retraint and delicacy." I found it an enjoyable mild smoke. But there was one thing puzzling then. The 100 gram tin had a different description on the side; "THE ORIGINAL BLEND OF 1848, Rich Dark Virginia and Carolina Matured Leaf blended and pressed in steam ovens produce this unique dark mature tobacco. suprisingly mild and very slow burning. No Latakia." No mention of Rum or Perique though. I've openned a 50 gram tin recently, & now I'm puzzled again. The appearance & aroma from the tin resembled one of my favorites, MacBaren's Burley. It was a medium/dark brown ready rubbed flake with a very light sweet aroma(honey?), not the almost black tobacco of the previous 100 gram tin. Smoking it wasn't the same as MacBaren's Burley though. It was a mild slightly sweet pleasant Virginia, enjoyable, but no Burley flavor. Actually, if you read William Serad's next review in the Winter 2001 issue of Pipes & Tobaccos, his description of Robert McConnell's Ripe Honeydew; "...flue-cured leaf with a touch of honey." seems to described what I'm smoking from this 50 gram tin of Maduro. Is it possible I've obtained a mislabled tin? Oh the mysteries we pipe smokers must ponder while we blissfully puff away. Anyway, I find this tin an enjoyable mild smoke. I'll have no trouble finishing it. If I buy more though, what will I get? Added note: both tins had stickers on the bottom stating they were made in Germany & distributed by XYZ Direct LTD, so I assume they came from the same blender.

It is a tricky tobacco. You have to work on it all the time.

Cavendish base provides a gentle foundation, accompanied by subtle burley undertones that lingered in the background. Around a quarter of the way through, the perique stepped forward, its almost harsh notes adding a surprising richness to the composition.
The flavour of the tobacco was akin to a dance between smokiness, nuttiness, fleeting impressions of pepper, and intermittent waves of rum. Maduro greeted me with its smoky aroma, it revealed its interesting character, heavy and bursting with spice, its texture was velvety and comforting, yet there was a sense of something missing—a special touch that would elevate it beyond the ordinary.

After the fourth bowl, and almost two months after opening, the taste becomes more pronounced, so it seems that the blend benefits greatly from time after opening, when the air slightly permeates the tobacco and thereby defines the aroma.

I would love to give this tobacco two and a half stars, but better three then.

The name Maduro is slightly misleading. While the tobacco is nearly black, the thought of Maduro cigar wrapper leaf is very remote and only if you think about it can you catch that essence. The tin note is pleasant with fig, plum, hay and rum present. The charring light is inviting with a light and mildly complex flavors immediately soundi out. As you progress through the bowl the rum topping plays with the light peppery perique and balances the VA. All in all, this is a nice smoke that I have enjoyed periodically, but it is one that I seek as a change of pace and not an everyday tobacco.

A comfort blend that smokes well and doesn't demand much. Unlike other rum cased blends this one is subtle and smooth. Good interplay between the Perique and Virginia. Meant for relaxation rather than an all day type. Great after dinner go to blend. In In comparison to Rich Dark Virginia, its not overly sweet or as strong. Pleasant room note and didn't overheat. I usually don't smoke straight or heavily based Virginias, but Maduro is an exception to the rule. Darker Virginia/Perique mixtures work best for me, so RMM is a nice addition to my rotation. Smoking this and Rich Dark Virginia, I'm starting to see where Robert McConnell ranks all together. Very few in their line up might earn fours stars, but all in all they are solid and dependable and never sour or bite. The trick to enjoying RM is not to smoke a full bowl in one setting. I got better results by smoking a bowl down over time. Enjoy.

Nice good quality tobacco and a easy going all day smoke.

This is a perfect tobacco to wow the missus with, it has a beautiful room note and the taste is somewhere in between licorice and dried figs. It smokes a bit wet and I find it hard to keep lit for the whole bowl, but it is a great after dessert or wine smoke. It complements anything sweet, not an every day smoke but a nice change of pace tobacco.