Casa Magna Colorado

[OHRD]

Size: 5.5×52, Robusto

Wrapper: Nicaraguan Colorado

Binder: Nicaraguan

Filler: Nicaraguan

Strength: Full

Price: $5.50 to $7.50 a cigar

Grade: 9.0

Sometimes a high score can overshadow the actual product, which is great on its on, and this may be the case with the Casa Magna Colorado. Rated as Cigar Aficionado’s number one cigar in 2008, with a rating of 93, had smokers lining up in droves to purchase the cigar.

That’s great, except for the fact that many fail to appreciate the other aspects of the cigar, aside from the score. The Casa Magna line of cigars is a joint effort from two industry titans, Manuel Quesada and Nestor Plasencia.

A Nicaraguan puro rolled in Nestor Plasencia’s Segovia factory in Esteli, Nicaragua, the Casa Magna Colorado is available in seven sizes: Belicoso (6.5×52), Churchill (67/8x49), Corona (6×46), Extraordinarios (7×58), Gran Toro (6×56), Pikito (4.75×42), and Robusto (5.5×52). It is also sold with an Oscuro wrapper.

With anticipation high for this smoke, let’s toast it and see how it finishes.

Pre-light, 1.8:
The oily Colorado wrapper on this smoke is beautiful to the eye and touch. There are minimal veins and the cap is nicely set atop the head of the smoke. The Robusto is tightly packed and that worries me a bit in regard to the draw. The label is a very classy gold and black with red trim. The Colorado wrapper has a nice aroma coming off the reddish brown leaf and I get some earthy tobacco with a hint of sweetness at the foot. The cold draw is devoid of any prominent notes except for earthy tobacco and some spice through the nose. The cigar I chose for this review has some age on it, not sure exactly how much, but the cello is showing the signs.

Burn, 1.7:
The cigar is now clipped and as I inspect the exposed head, I see that the tobacco is super tight. Toasted and lit I find the draw not as tight as I expected but still a little snug for my taste. The burn is pretty even and though it did get out of line a few times, it always corrected itself. The wrapper is a slow burner due to the oils, and the binder appears to also burn at a slower pace, which made for a nice long smoke. The ash holds past an inch and when it falls it produces a nice orange cone right in the center of the filler. The tight draw is consistent until the last third, when it opens up a bit. I worked to keep this one going but it always produced a mouthful of smoke after three good puffs.

Flavor, 2.8:
The first puff on the Casa Magna is of earthy tobacco with notes of cedar and spice. Into the first third the smoke continues this trend but I also pick up some notes of caramel at times. I am searching for coffee or mocha type notes, but they never materialize. The second third becomes earthier and also somewhat creamy at times. The spice mellows a bit but is ever present in this part of the Robusto. The final third still has some creaminess with spicy with notes of cedar and earth. The finish on this smoke is long and heavy at times.

Overall, 2.7:
The Casa Magna is a good smoke for the price point offered. Currently they are hard to find online but I have seen them in plentiful supply at my local B&M. This is a nice offering from two powerhouses in the cigar industry. Complex and full, you will be satisfied with your purchase of this smoke. That being said, I personally was a bit disappointed in the draw and the work it took to smoke, but that is a personal preference and should be counted as such.

(Total: 9.0)