Casa Magna-Overhyped and underwhelming

bobarian · 01-31-2009, 05:21 PM

Smoked my first of these earlier today. What a letdown.

Solid construction with a nice dark wrapper. I am not a fan of most of Placencia's blends, so maybe this was the reason I did not find this cigar appealing. If this was meant as the replacement for the JdN, IMHO he missed the mark. None of the flavor or kick of a JdN. Some decent toastiness, but no depth or complexity and barely any nic kick.

I smoked mine down to the nub, searching for something that would tell me why this was rated so highly(other that $). I got nothing! Overall a very boring stick. Smooth yes, but flavor no.

There are so many other tasty Nicaraguan smokes out there that I would smoke before the Casa Magna. JdN, Tat's, Pepin Blacks.

borndead1 · 01-31-2009, 05:29 PM

I agree. I smoked one and just didn't "get it". And I am a Nestor fan.

Skywalker · 01-31-2009, 06:03 PM

I trust you Bob more than Cigar Aficionado magazine!!!!

dunng · 01-31-2009, 06:05 PM

Thanks for the review. I have not yet tried it yet... But typically I don't like anything from Nestor Placencia.

01-31-2009, 07:15 PM

Dang,,,I wanted to try this one out but now I have to rethink this.

Buena Fortuna · 01-31-2009, 07:44 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Cigary

Dang,,,I wanted to try this one out but now I have to rethink this.

Don't let someone else's opinion stop you from trying one, everyone's tastes and opinions are different. You certainly won't be wasting your money at that price point, and you may just like it...that's the reason there are so many great cigars blended every year. Spend $6 and post your own review and join in the fun

02-06-2009, 06:04 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Buena Fortuna

Don't let someone else's opinion stop you from trying one, everyone's tastes and opinions are different. You certainly won't be wasting your money at that price point, and you may just like it...that's the reason there are so many great cigars blended every year. Spend $6 and post your own review and join in the fun

I hear that,,,often I have given out the same advice. Bobarian is one of those brothers I read quite often and pretty much listen to his advice and find it pretty accurate,,,,but I just might give one a try just so that I get my own opinion on it. Thx for the advice,,,sometimes I need a taste of my own.

bobarian · 02-06-2009, 07:01 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Cigary

I hear that,,,often I have given out the same advice. Bobarian is one of those brothers I read quite often and pretty much listen to his advice and find it pretty accurate,,,,but I just might give one a try just so that I get my own opinion on it. Thx for the advice,,,sometimes I need a taste of my own.

I would definitely give them a shot. In fact it might might be the size just wasnt for me. When they become more readily available I would love to try a smaller RG.

borndead1 · 01-31-2009, 07:51 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Cigary

Dang,,,I wanted to try this one out but now I have to rethink this.

Try one. It's not that it's a bad cigar, we just can't figure out why it got #1 cigar of the year.

bobarian · 01-31-2009, 08:39 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by borndead1

Try one. It's not that it's a bad cigar, we just can't figure out why it got #1 cigar of the year.

I agree, never let one person's opinion steer you away from trying a smoke. There are hundreds of cigars out there I dont like. I will give Casa Magna another shot as well. I never make a final decision based upon a single cigar.
Each person's palate is different as are their expectations.

01-31-2009, 08:40 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by borndead1

Try one. It's not that it's a bad cigar, we just can't figure out why it got #1 cigar of the year.

my thoughts exactly

BORIStheBLADE · 01-31-2009, 11:50 PM

I tried one too and wasn't blown away, but it was a decent smoke for $6.00. I do want to give it another try though.

01-31-2009, 11:52 PM

I like the Casa Magna myself. I absolutely agree that there were other cigars that they rated that were much better, i.e. DPG Blue Label Lancero (Yum!) Anyway, I think that the 92 rating that they afforded that blend is a bit high IMHO. I would put it at a solid 90-89 FWIW.

This all being said. I think that the construction is quite good, and I also think that it does offer something worthwhile. Worthy of number 1 for the year? Probably not. But a darned good cigar, definitely. Pick one up, decide for yourself.

Just my

Cheers!

02-06-2009, 09:40 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by borndead1

Try one. It's not that it's a bad cigar, we just can't figure out why it got #1 cigar of the year.

Because it doesn't suck, AND the price is 1/5 of some of the competing sticks....mind you they have better overall flavor, putting the price and flavor together you get a winner..... Though people I've seen have commented they believe it shouldn't receive #1 based on flavor alone.

bobarian · 02-06-2009, 11:46 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Hardcz

Because it doesn't suck, AND the price is 1/5 of some of the competing sticks....mind you they have better overall flavor, putting the price and flavor together you get a winner..... Though people I've seen have commented they believe it shouldn't receive #1 based on flavor alone.

This is not a ringing endorsement of a cigar. I dont know where you are finding these so cheap. Online when they were available, they ran about $5.50 on average. IMHO this was not even a decent $5 smoke. So many other smokes out there that have more flavor at the same price point

jaymz · 02-06-2009, 08:29 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bobarian

So many other smokes out there that have more flavor at the same price point

Care to offer up some suggestions? I've never had a Casa Magna, but I would definitely like to see what you are comparing these too.

Another question, does anyone know if this is the cheapest cigar that has hit the top ten on Cigar Afficianado? Usually it seems they don't seem to notice anything under non-cuban under $10.

02-18-2009, 03:44 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by borndead1

Try one. It's not that it's a bad cigar, we just can't figure out why it got #1 cigar of the year.

The reason I think it got #1 cigar is because of the Face2Face contracts that shops must sign in order to receive these. The contract is supposed to make it so that these cigars will only be sold in B&Ms and not at all online. I think Cigar Aficionado is trying to help drive more business into B&Ms.

Smokin Gator · 02-01-2009, 03:55 AM

I have a couple of these that BigAsh sent me. I am looking forward to smoking them.

Ratters · 02-01-2009, 09:29 AM

Nice review Bob.

Maybe I'll give mine a shot today.

NickyTeen · 02-01-2009, 10:25 AM

Thanks for the review,Bob.

01-31-2009, 05:29 PM	#2
borndead1 Ayatollah of Rock n Rolla Join Date: Oct 2008 First Name: Mark Location: Lancaster, CA Posts: 1,375 Trading: (7)	Re: Casa Magna-Overhyped and underwhelming I agree. I smoked one and just didn't "get it". And I am a Nestor fan.

01-31-2009, 06:03 PM	#3
Skywalker BABOTL Join Date: Oct 2008 First Name: Dice Location: Galaxy Far Far Away Posts: 10,168 Trading: (18)	Re: Casa Magna-Overhyped and underwhelming I trust you Bob more than Cigar Aficionado magazine!!!! __________________ Smoke what you like!!!

01-31-2009, 06:05 PM	#4
dunng MassHole Join Date: Oct 2008 First Name: Greg Location: MassHole Posts: 4,719 Trading: (59)	Re: Casa Magna-Overhyped and underwhelming Thanks for the review. I have not yet tried it yet... But typically I don't like anything from Nestor Placencia. __________________ MassHole Banter

01-31-2009, 07:15 PM	#5
Cigary Guest Posts: n/a	Re: Casa Magna-Overhyped and underwhelming Dang,,,I wanted to try this one out but now I have to rethink this.

01-31-2009, 11:50 PM	#12
BORIStheBLADE _ Join Date: Nov 2008 First Name: Mike Location: Santa Clara, CA Posts: 643 Trading: (4)	Re: Casa Magna-Overhyped and underwhelming I tried one too and wasn't blown away, but it was a decent smoke for $6.00. I do want to give it another try though. __________________ I.B.E.W LOCAL # 617

01-31-2009, 05:21 PM	#1
bobarian Cranky Habanophile Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: Wine Country Posts: 8,869 Trading: (51)	Casa Magna-Overhyped and underwhelming Smoked my first of these earlier today. What a letdown. Solid construction with a nice dark wrapper. I am not a fan of most of Placencia's blends, so maybe this was the reason I did not find this cigar appealing. If this was meant as the replacement for the JdN, IMHO he missed the mark. None of the flavor or kick of a JdN. Some decent toastiness, but no depth or complexity and barely any nic kick. I smoked mine down to the nub, searching for something that would tell me why this was rated so highly(other that $). I got nothing! Overall a very boring stick. Smooth yes, but flavor no. There are so many other tasty Nicaraguan smokes out there that I would smoke before the Casa Magna. JdN, Tat's, Pepin Blacks.

01-31-2009, 11:52 PM	#13
PaleRider Guest Posts: n/a	Re: Casa Magna-Overhyped and underwhelming I like the Casa Magna myself. I absolutely agree that there were other cigars that they rated that were much better, i.e. DPG Blue Label Lancero (Yum!) Anyway, I think that the 92 rating that they afforded that blend is a bit high IMHO. I would put it at a solid 90-89 FWIW. This all being said. I think that the construction is quite good, and I also think that it does offer something worthwhile. Worthy of number 1 for the year? Probably not. But a darned good cigar, definitely. Pick one up, decide for yourself. Just my Cheers!

02-01-2009, 03:55 AM	#18
Smokin Gator Just plain insane! Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: The Swamp Posts: 6,237 Trading: (106)	Re: Casa Magna-Overhyped and underwhelming I have a couple of these that BigAsh sent me. I am looking forward to smoking them. __________________ Check out the Cigar Asylum Newbie Sampler Trade

02-01-2009, 09:29 AM	#19
Ratters Have My Own Room Join Date: Oct 2008 Posts: 1,848 Trading: (2)	Re: Casa Magna-Overhyped and underwhelming Nice review Bob. Maybe I'll give mine a shot today.

02-01-2009, 10:25 AM	#20
NickyTeen My barn door is open Join Date: Oct 2008 First Name: Kriss Location: The Barn Posts: 561 Trading: (12)	Re: Casa Magna-Overhyped and underwhelming Thanks for the review,Bob.