Beer, Motorcycles and Cigars — Beer, Bikes and Butts

I admit to a bit of snobbery when it comes to Macanudo cigars. I’ve been to a couple of wedding receptions where boxes of Macanudos are brought out, offered because they are a safe choice. Mild with no chance of offending. Along the lines of offering Corona as the beer.

Sometimes I select a cigar I am interested in reviewing, but other times I make a random choice specifically because I want to force myself to try cigars about which I may have preconceived notions. Tonight I was glad that my fingers happened upon the Macanudo Cru Royale, because it turned out to be an enjoyable smoke.

From what I read, the “safe” Macanudo cigars I have beeen exposed to are from the Macanudo Café line, and are intentionally mild. The comparison to a Corona is apt, because like a Corona, no one is likely to exclaim, “yeah, Baby, they’re serving Macanudos!”, but neither are they likely to be offended because they are not bad smokes.

But with this Cru Royale, I found some real taste and complexity. Like Cigar International put it, these are not your Daddy’s Macanudos. I was taken with the first puff, with not a hint of harshness and a nice palate of pepper and cedar. The cigar was consistent throughout the smoke, evolving from medium to, dare I say it, medium-full. Burn, draw and construction were all perfect. A very good smoke, rating it an 89 on The Morris Scale. I have to say, if they pull these out at the next wedding reception I attend, I will say, “yeah Baby, they’re serving Macanudos!” A good value at about $6 per stick.

If any fans of the Macanudo café line took offense at my remarks, you weren’t reading with precision. I never said they were bad any more than I said Coronas were bad, only uninspired. If you like sticks from the café line, I respectfully suggest that you try the Cru Royale. It’s a fuller and stronger smoke, without being overpowering. Hell, have one with a Corona.

From Cigars International:

“Not your daddy’s Macanudo.

Indeed. This beaut is draped in a dark, oily Ecuadorian Habano leaf and brimming with a complex blend of Nicaraguan, Dominican, and Brazilian long-fillers. Up a few clicks in flavor and power, this medium-bodied gem brings richness and complexity combined with smoothness.”

From Famous Smoke Shop:

“Macanudo Cru Royale cigars are a new medium-bodied, full-flavored selection from Macanudo, and one of the world-famous brand’s most unique. Crafted under the direction of the legendary Benji Menendez, each Macanudo Cru Royale cigar has a core of Nicaraguan & Dominican Viso longfiller with Brazilian Mata Fina, plus a proprietary Dominican La Vega Especiale binder rolled in an Ecuadorian Habano seed wrapper. Expect a well-balanced, aromatic smoke brimming with rich, complex flavors on long, clean finish.”

Posted on July 4th, 2012 by Aaron Morris
Filed under: Cigar Facts, Cigars, Reviews