IPCPR Cigar Preview / Quick Review: Man O’ War | Dark Aged Maduro

*Note: this is not a blind review, this is just to give a quick take on a cigar that is not yet available that we obtained at IPCPR 2013.

One of the cigars I was looking forward to trying from IPCPR 2013 was the latest addition to the Man O’ War portfolio, the Dark Aged Maduro. Man O’ War Dark Aged Maduro uses a Brazilian Habano wrapper from higher primings to give the cigar its darker look. A representative described the cigar as “full-bodied” thanks in large part to the blend of Nicaraguan fillers. Pricing is $7.00-$11.00 and the Dark Aged Maduro will only be sold to brick and mortar retailers.

IPCPR Cigar Preview / Quick Review: Man O’ War | Dark Aged Maduro Initial Impressions:

This thing is a beauty to look at. The dark and toothy wrapper is very inviting and the weight in hand feels really solid. There are some variations in the wrapper color and a few veins here or there, but I’ve come to trust AJ Fernandez so I’m not worried. The draw is just a tad on the loose side of what I prefer, but otherwise perfect. Cold draw tastes of classic maduro sweetness and a nuttiness that is very nice.

First Third:

The first third is very woody with quite a bit of pepper, pretty strong. I would put this in the medium-full strength category. The flavors are great and towards the end of the third the sweetness from the initial draw sneaks in.

Second Third:

The notes in the second third include cedar, caramel and pepper spice with the strength picking up a little bit. The smoke is pouring out of this thing, tons of smoke on the draw and tons of smoke just sitting there.

Final Third:

The flavor profile takes a nice turn towards leather and pepper here. A more mild pepper. I would say the strength has gone back down where it was in the first third.

Overall Impressions:

I really, really enjoyed this cigar. I would have to personally put it above the regular Man O’ War as well as the Ruination, which are both fantastic cigars. I would have to smoke another before deciding if I like it better than the Puro Authentico Maduro, but it’s close. I’m sad these will not be available online, but that may change as we have seen before with CI exclusive cigars. I would not hesitate to buy a box of these. My personal overall score: 91.

-Emmett