Maduro Wrappers

[rodwha]

Why does the Maduro wrapper have a bad name?

[AlanS]

I dont believe it does, many people prefer them!

[StogieNinja]

I don't know that it does. In fact, lots of people LOVE maduros. A lot of them are more approachable to some newer palates, as they can be sweeter, more "chocolate" and coffee flavors, and they appeal more to those who favor stronger flavor in things.

There have been a number of makers who have dyed and otherwise messed with leaf to get a darker color, which has caused some folks to experience discoloration of fingers and lips, which is disconcerting, and kind of gross, so that may be what has caused your impression.

[rodwha]

Hmmmm... I've seen the remark "don't let friends smoke Maduro" a few times.

I notice several sticks come in a "natural" or Maduro stick and wondered.

I notice I seem to prefer the somewhat milder types and wonder how I'd accept this. I love the "dark chocolate and coffee" flavors in beers, and drink a strong and dark roast coffee black. But I don't seem to care for the more robust(?) cigars.

[rodwha]

I'm thinking I ought to look for a M-M Maduro to try. I noticed the 5 Vegas Gold, which is a bit more mild than I prefer, offered with a Maduro wrapper.

[AlanS]

I'm often time very impressed, and surprised what a delight some Maduro wrapped sticks are to smoke. I've never been lucky enough to get the fake dyed ones.

[rodwha]

I'd prefer to pass on anything dyed to make me believe in something!

I don't care much about nicotine, and find the stronger ones have me curled up for a nap except for the Onyx Reserve which is said to be a full strength stick. I liked it a lot!

[rodwha]

Looking at a CAO America stick (M-F) for a shade over $8. Anyone try this?

[StogieNinja]

If you want to really know what a good maduro ought to taste like, try one of the Padron 1964 or 1926 maduros a try. Then for a lower cost alternative, try the Tatuaje Reservas, I'd probably recommend starting with the 7th Reserva. Also give Crowned Heads Jericho Hill or La Imperiosa a try.

Ignore the CAO or 5 Vegas, or really any CI house brand.

[Upstatemax]

I think people are just naturally afraid of a maduro. It's dark and looks really serious...

As mentioned though, they are actually very, very good (IMO).

Same reason people are scared of dark coffee. You miss out on a lot of amazing, sweet and complex flavor.

[Billb1960]

Dark wrappers are generally associated with stronger cigars although that isn't necessarily the case. Maduro refers to tobacco which has been aged longer than regular tobacco and that's why the leaf is darker.

[rodwha]

Seems to work that way with beer too. It's why I'll be trying to brew a black beer that tastes more like an amber.

Bouncing around looking at options to replace what I had previously considered. What of a Rocky Patel The Edge?

[Upstatemax]

Seems to work that way with beer too. It's why I'll be trying to brew a black beer that tastes more like an amber.


Have you tried a black IPA?

F*ing delicious...

Favorite beer I've brewed to date.

[rodwha]

Too bad it only allows one like! The BIPA is what made me want to brew a deceptive black ale.

[rodwha]

StogieNinja: It seems none are available as a single. Not much choice at CI.

[Upstatemax]

Too bad it only allows one like! The BIPA is what made me want to brew a deceptive black ale.

We will have to settle with me liking your post as well!

I LOVE black IPA's.

I let a case of mine cellar for an additional year, dear god was it good...

[Billb1960]

Nestor Miranda Collection Maduros are very tasty and not too bold in the flavor category. My wife loves them. Macanudo Maduros are also pretty benign but still very tasty.

[rodwha]

I've never considered aging it as I've always heard an IPA fades in the flavor/aroma sector. I brew my hoppier beers in intervals with things that do sit.

[Shaun]

Sticks with maduro wrappers can vary wildly. To the point that is makes me wonder what the "maduro" label really means. Is the Drew Estate Undercrown a maduro? It's got a maduro wrapper but, in my opinion, none of the typical maduro flavors. The AJ Diesel Unholy Cocktail is a maduro (by wrapper) but again, pretty unusual flavors for a maduro. Maduro is way too broad to categorically say that they've got a bad name. Or that they're collectively great.

[HIM]

Try the Kristoff Ligero Maduro. Med-full bodied, medium strength, and absolutely tons of creamy mocha notes. I also agree on the Tat Reserva or Padron suggestion, even the x000 line is great in maduro.

[HIM]

Sticks with maduro wrappers can vary wildly. To the point that is makes me wonder what the "maduro" label really means. Is the Drew Estate Undercrown a maduro? It's got a maduro wrapper but, in my opinion, none of the typical maduro flavors. The AJ Diesel Unholy Cocktail is a maduro (by wrapper) but again, pretty unusual flavors for a maduro. Maduro is way too broad to categorically say that they've got a bad name. Or that they're collectively great.

The key is that maduro is a process. I think what dictates the flavor has more to do with what variety of tobacco it is than the fact the leaf was processed into maduro leaf. The rest of the blend plays a part in what we taste too but plain and simple....San Andres, CT or PA broadleaf, Habano, criollo, corojo, etc all taste different. I think the familiar "maduro" flavors most people think of are the taste of broadleaf.

[Upstatemax]

I've never considered aging it as I've always heard an IPA fades in the flavor/aroma sector. I brew my hoppier beers in intervals with things that do sit.

I enjoyed the aged ones. Let some of the Hop flavor fade a bit and let the complexity of the beer come through.

You get the crisp IPA right away, but a more complex and rich after taste.

[rodwha]

Never thought of that. To me that's been what an old ale or barleywine was about, though a stout or porter did well too.

[Zeede]

Try the Brickhouse Maduros. The Mighty Mighty vitola is a pretty long smoke, and I know you've been looking for longer smokes.

[Shaun]

The key is that maduro is a process. I think what dictates the flavor has more to do with what variety of tobacco it is than the fact the leaf was processed into maduro leaf. The rest of the blend plays a part in what we taste too but plain and simple....San Andres, CT or PA broadleaf, Habano, criollo, corojo, etc all taste different. I think the familiar "maduro" flavors most people think of are the taste of broadleaf.

I understand. But the Diesel UHC and the Undercrown both have maduro wrappers (wrapper leaves that have gone through the maduro process). Yet neither of them are representative of the typically described maduro flavors (at least in my opinion). So maybe my question could be summed up as: "If a cigar has a maduro wrapper, does that alone make it a maduro?"

[Rocket Scientologist]

What of a Rocky Patel The Edge?

Yeah, the Edge Maduro isn't bad - was the go-to stick for my buddy for a long time. The 5 Vegas Series A is a good $2-3 stick.

Some other suggestions:
Alec Bradley Tempus Maduro
Ashton Aged Maduro
Diamond Crown Maduro
Ramon Bueso Genesis

[HIM]

I understand. But the Diesel UHC and the Undercrown both have maduro wrappers (wrapper leaves that have gone through the maduro process). Yet neither of them are representative of the typically described maduro flavors (at least in my opinion). So maybe my question could be summed up as: "If a cigar has a maduro wrapper, does that alone make it a maduro?"

Yes. What makes a maduro a maduro is the processing of the wrapper. The flavors are going to vary depending on what type of tobacco it is and what tobaccos are used in the rest of the blend. I think the idea of "maduro flavors" is sort of a misunderstanding of how blending works IMO. You can get the sweet mocha and spice characteristics of a maduro in a natural wrapped cigar. I also think a lot of people associate the taste of broadleaf as "maduro flavors" which isn't fully accurate.
Lol am I making sense here?

[Billb1960]

The most important thing with maduros is that you pronounce it correctly. It's not ma-der-o, it's mah-DOO-ro. And don't forget to roll that R! :stogie:

[DogRockets]

Maduro is my absolute favorite wrapper. Some of my favorite maduros in the so called "budget" price range are Nica Libre and Bahia Red/Maduro. CI carries them both. Usually $2-3 per stick depending on if they're running a deal or not.

[rodwha]

Looking at what CI carries in their singles I found they do have a Nica Libre Toro for $4.25. I think I'll run with that one as you think well of it. Thanks @ DogRockets!

[Cool Breeze]

I smoke maduros 90%+ of the time. They just taste better to me.

Do not buy into the hype that darker wrappers are stronger or heavier in the nicotine department. That has little basis in reality.

My advice would be to find a stick that you already like in a natural and see if it is offered in maduro.

If you're looking for suggestions, the CAO MX2 is a really good smoke IMO with classic maduro flavors and won't break the bank.

I would stay away from the 5 Vegas Gold maduro. Those damn things are fire retardent. The 5 Vegas A is a good smoke though.

[Billb1960]

I smoke maduros 90%+ of the time. They just taste better to me.

Do not buy into the hype that darker wrappers are stronger or heavier in the nicotine department. That has little basis in reality.

My advice would be to find a stick that you already like in a natural and see if it is offered in maduro.

If you're looking for suggestions, the CAO MX2 is a really good smoke IMO with classic maduro flavors and won't break the bank.

I would stay away from the 5 Vegas Gold maduro. Those damn things are fire retardent. The 5 Vegas A is a good smoke though.

5 Vegas AAA is a darn good maduro smoke. It's blended by AJF.

[NeverBend]

Yes. What makes a maduro a maduro is the processing of the wrapper. The flavors are going to vary depending on what type of tobacco it is and what tobaccos are used in the rest of the blend. I think the idea of "maduro flavors" is sort of a misunderstanding of how blending works IMO. You can get the sweet mocha and spice characteristics of a maduro in a natural wrapped cigar. I also think a lot of people associate the taste of broadleaf as "maduro flavors" which isn't fully accurate.
Lol am I making sense here?

Lots of sense.

Making a meaningful definition for maduro wrappers is difficult and so would be identifying the quintessential maduro cigar. Suffice it to say that genuine maduro leaf is processed to be that way and despite the color, that can range from mottled brown to near black (when it's really oscuro), it tends, in an of itself, to be mild although it can add significant body.


...Do not buy into the hype that darker wrappers are stronger or heavier in the nicotine department. That has little basis in reality...
I would stay away from the 5 Vegas Gold maduro. Those damn things are fire retardent. The 5 Vegas A is a good smoke though.

I agree re: 5-Vegas Gold maduro, artificially processed but the A series are much better.

[allusred]

Lots of sense.

Making a meaningful definition for maduro wrappers is difficult and so would be identifying the quintessential maduro cigar. Suffice it to say that genuine maduro leaf is processed to be that way and despite the color, that can range from mottled brown to near black (when it's really oscuro), it tends, in an of itself, to be mild although it can add significant body.



I agree re: 5-Vegas Gold maduro, artificially processed but the A series are much better.

Have steered well clear of any Maduros for a long time.Any that came my way I'd either give away or toss.
All the Maduro cigars I tried over a year or so, tasted, to me like biting into a piece of tinfoil.Gave up totally on all Maduros.
All Mexican tobaccos.
I clearly remember liking the first Maduro cigar I smoked (Motor City...came from Detroit) looked as if it had been marinated in old,well used motor oil.
They were oily and extremely dark,but not painted.Got away from Maduros, then when next tried some, hated them.
Tasted like biting into a piece of tinfoil.
Could not believe how many cigar smokers were so firmly in the Maduro camp as opposed to other wrappers.
Now over the past few months have found some that I've enjoyed smoking.
Haven't found that Metallic taste in any of them.
Still not my favourite wrapper, but at least one more option.
And have enjoyed reading this thread on the subject.

[Zeede]

On a large rg cigar the wrapper may only account for 20% or so of the flavor, so that alone would indicate why sometimes a maduro wrapped cigar doesn't have "typical" maduro flavors.

[Billb1960]

On a large rg cigar the wrapper may only account for 20% or so of the flavor, so that alone would indicate why sometimes a maduro wrapped cigar doesn't have "typical" maduro flavors.

Depending on who you ask wrappers account for somewhere between 5% and 150% of the cigar flavor...

[droy1958]

Depending on who you ask wrappers account for somewhere between 5% and 150% of the cigar flavor...

We need to ask Ice T or Cube and get the word up on rappers errrr wrappers....

[frodo]

Hmmmm... I've seen the remark "don't let friends smoke Maduro" a few times.

I notice I seem to prefer the somewhat milder types and wonder how I'd accept this. I love the "dark chocolate and coffee" flavors in beers, and drink a strong and dark roast coffee black. But I don't seem to care for the more robust(?) cigars.

For me, the quintessential maduro smoke is the Work of Art Maduro by Fuente. Nice and light but lets the flavours (wrapper) speak very well.

I do find that Maduros in my experience lack the complexity that other wrappers have such as the Sumatra (generalization) but I would never refer to them as inferior nor does it stop me from smoking them.

[Merovius]

Took a quick look, some of my favorite maduros:
WOAM, Best Seller Maduro
1926 No. 9 Maduro, Family Reserve 85 Maduro
Anejo "77" Shark, 46
Oliva Serie V Melanio Maduro Torp or Robusto
GoF Serie B GT
LG Small Batch No. 4 Oscuro
OpusX ForbiddenX Maduro Toro (strong)
LFD Mysterio Oscuro
LFD DL Chisel Maduro (strong)
Padilla Reserva Maduro Corona
RoMaCraft CroMagnon Mode 5, Neanderthal
Viaje Platino Samurai Maduro
Tatuaje TAA 2014
Illsuione HL Maduro
Drew Estate Undercrown Robusto

And on, and on, and on...There are probably quite a few more that employ a maduro like process...

Some of those are going to be harder to track down than others but that should help get you moving in the right direction.