Blind Cigar Review: Man O’ War | Puro Authentico Maduro

This cigar was reviewed blind (no bands) by a panel of at least 4 reviewers. They did not know what they were smoking beforehand. The scores are an average of all the reviewers' scores with outliers removed.

Vital Stats:

Vitola: Petite Corona

Length: 5″

Ring Gauge: 42

Country of Origin: Nicaragua

Wrapper: Habano Maduro

Binder: Nicaragua

Filler: Nicaragua

Factory: Tabacalera Fernandez

Blender: AJ Fernandez

Number of reviewers: 5 —– Milton (mjohnsoniii) Emmett (rhetorik) Nicholas (volpow61) Ian (Sp@rky426) Ron (shuckins)

Price: $6.00

Initial Impressions

Appearance: 95

“This cigar is a rustic but solid looking maduro. I quite enjoy it’s appearance with its shaggy foot and pigtail cap. The coloring is very dark and very even across the wrapper.” –Emmett (rhetorik)

Aroma: 89

“Aroma is that of an earthy kind of cocoa smell that is a little sharp to the nose.” –Nicholas (volpow61)

Construction: 93

“No noticeable soft or hard spots, pre-light draw unrestricted. Looking forward to this smoke.” –Ian (Sp@rky426)

First Third

Flavor: 91

Strength: Medium-Strong

Body/Complexity: Medium-Full

“Some spicy pepper spice to start, but that mellows out quickly. Once it settles in, the flavors are very earthy with some coffee mixed in and graphite on the long finish.” –Emmett (rhetorik)

“Through the first third I am getting some spice and earthiness also with a nice sweet meatiness as well. The stick has a little gritty feel in the mouth but starting off very nice.” –Nicholas (volpow61)

Second Third

Flavor: 93

Strength: Medium-Strong

Body/Complexity: Medium-Full

“Coming into this third I’m picking up an oak flavor working towards the front. To go along with that now are very dark coffee, maybe espresso and very dark cocoa. The finish is still earthy and long. Towards the end of the third I’m getting a nice leather in the smoke and the finish, it’s becoming quite complex and very enjoyable.” –Emmett (rhetorik)

“A little more leather has joined the coffee. The woodsy tasting tobacco still has a bite to it along with a pepper kick that gives a burn when I retrohale.” –Ron (shuckins)

Final Third

Flavor: 92

Strength: Medium-Strong

Body/Complexity: Medium-Full

“The ash finally fell after two thirds of the cigar. That’s awesome! The flavors have continued to evolve. I’m now detecting notes of chocolate and caramel with a bit of espresso in the mix. The spiciness is till very prominent making this small cigar a virtual powerhouse. There is still tons of creamy smoke even with a fan blowing in the foreground. I don’t see this being an ultra premium stick but well worth an average price tag.” –Milton (mjohnsoniii)

“No real change in flavors, and I was hoping there would be. The leather comes and goes as the coffee, pepper and woodsy tasting tobacco become the stars of the show.” –Ron (shuckins)

Overall Impressions

Draw: 92

“Good draw, a little firm but not a problem.” –Nicholas (volpow61)

Burn: 89

“The burn kept wanting to wander just a little, requiring a few touch-ups, but nothing major.” –Emmett (rhetorik)

Overall Strength: Medium-Strong

Overall Body/Complexity: Medium-Full

Overall Experience: 92

“This was a good cigar. Not great, but good. It had moments that almost made it great but those were only brief moments. I give this one a thumbs up and would definitely try it again but wouldn’t go all out to find it if the local B&M ran out.” –Milton (mjohnsoniii)

“This is a great cigar, and if I don’t have a box already they are totally worth it at the right price. This is a cigar for the experienced smoker given its strength and complexity. If you like strong maduros in a petite corona format, this is your cigar.” –Emmett (rhetorik)

“Overall this was a fantastic smoke with great flavors from start to finish. Has a nice amount of flavor changes as well as a nice punch with the spice that brings this stick together nicely. For me this stick was right in my wheelhouse that gave a me a great smoking experience. I would definitely grab more.” –Nicholas (volpow61)

“Overall this was a good cigar. With maybe some more time on it I would enjoy again. Flavor was nice, but the pepper stood out for me and its not something I’m a fan of. But box worthy or a fiver to age sounds good.” –Ian (Sp@rky426)

“I enjoyed parts of the cigar, but it had a harshness and a bitter bite to it at times that kept me from enjoying it all. I would like to revisit it again, just to make sure it’s the cigar and not me.” –Ron (shuckins)

Smoking Time (in minutes): 68

Total Score: 92 (Very Good)

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To view the complete scores and notes, click here

Blind Cigar Review: Man O’ War | Puro Authentico Maduro