Macanudo Inspirado Black Toro (5 ¾ x 52)

W: Habano Connecticut, United States
B: Vega Especial, Dominican Republic
F: Dominican, Nicaraguan, Honduran

Factory: General Cigar Dominicana – Santiago, Dominican Republic

Initially debuting in Europe, this bold, full-bodied offering from General Cigar Co. has finally made its way onto U.S. shores, providing Macanudo cigar fans with something a few shades darker than the bestselling Cafe.

Featuring a proprietary binder, dubbed “Vega Especial” (also used on the company’s Cru Royale line), as well as a habano-seed wrapper grown in Connecticut by the United States’ oldest farm, this cigar is a powerhouse of flavor and strength that will likely destroy any prejudice lingering in your mind when Macanudo’s name is uttered.

Notes:

• Taking a whiff of this dark, oily wrapper gave scents of cream, dried fruit, earth and black pepper. The cold draw harbored dense notes of earth, oak and black pepper as well.
• Not wasting any time, this cigar got right to business in the first few puffs with wood, earth, dried fruit with a long cocoa powder and red pepper finish.
• One inch in brought a sharp transition to a delicious creamy earth flavor with a cinnamon finish and the red pepper growing in intensity.
• Despite mangling the cigar upon lighting (pro tip: definitely opt for the multi-torch butane lighters on a windy day), the burn pleasantly surprised me by correcting itself. Maybe their proprietary binder has its own AI?
• In the last third the cream flavor became more prominent as a sweet cherry note moved in as well. Finally, a sweet, pastry-like flavor joined the everlasting red pepper on the finish.

Flavor Report: Red Pepper, Cocoa Powder, Wood, Earth, Dried Fruit, Cream, Cinnamon, Cherry, Pastries

Overall: 9/10

Much like my last review of the Avo Syncro Nicaragua, this release is much bolder and more flavorful than the company’s prior lines, a welcome trend. While I’m not a regular Macanudo smoker, the Macanudo Inspirado Black totally blew away all expectations I had and made me look forward to what else may be coming. Pick up a box of these and brace yourself for an all new Macanudo experience.