Fresh rolled Macanudo 1968

Don Fernando · 10-09-2009, 12:38 PM

I went to see a roller, Christian Galvan, who works for General cigars at one of my favorite B&M’s in Amsterdam, Hartman cigars at the Beethovenstraat. Christian Galvan was there to roll cigars as part of the release of the Macanudo 1968 in The Netherlands. I smoked one right on the spot, and I brought one home to review and here it is.

Macanudo came with this new blend and named it “1968” as that was the year that Cifuentes blended the original Macanudo café, so this is a cigar in his memory. The cigar is blended with tobacco from the Dominican Republic and Nicaragua, part of the filler comes from the remote island of Ometepe, which is located in the lake of a volcano. The binder is a Connecticut Habano and the wrapper is Honduran San Agustin Havana seed.

The size of this fresh rolled cigar is 5.5 x 52 which is not a regular production size, it’s in between the 6 x 54 toro and the 5 x 50 robusto. The cigar smells like hay. The construction feels good though the draw is a bit on the loose side and gives me a mild peppery raisin flavor. The wrapper is smooth, oily and dark.

I can taste toast, coffee and some pepper at the back of my throat. After a few puffs I also taste some bean but that flavor disappears soon, just like the toast. A chocolate flavor shows itself through the peppery coffee. After an inch the pepper joins the flavors that disappeared before and all I can taste is coffee with chocolate, of which the chocolate is slowly becoming the dominant flavor, but the flavors are well balanced.

After reaching the 1/2nd point of the cigar I get some toast again and at 2/3rd the chocolate disappears for just a few puffs. The grand finale brings me some cedar with chocolate and later some nuts and chocolate.

I get a lot of smoke, the smoke is a bit thin though. The ash is silver-gray and firm. The draw is fine and the burn is great, straight and it won’t die easily. I didn’t need to purge this cigar and could still nub it. This is a full flavored full bodied cigar, but the full bodyness is sneaky, because of the overwhelming flavors you don’t notice and realize that this is a powerful stick.

Would I buy this cigar again? Yes, I liked it, but this was a 2 day old fresh rolled cigar, I don’t know if the cigars that are commercially available have the same flavor palate.

Appearance: 8 / 10
Construction: 7 / 10
Draw: 7 / 10
Smoke & ash: 7 / 10
Burn: 8 / 10
Aroma (first part) 7 / 10
Aroma (middle part) 7 / 10
Aroma (last part) 8 / 10

AD720 · 10-09-2009, 12:52 PM

Wow cool cigar to review. I actually really liked the regular production 1968's but the price is pretty high. I definitely tasted a lot of the toast, the chocolate and a bit of almost marshmallow like cream. You are dead on about the strength too.

T.G · 10-09-2009, 12:57 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Don Fernando

Would I buy this cigar again? Yes, I liked it, but this was a 2 day old fresh rolled cigar, I don’t know if the cigars that are commercially available have the same flavor palate.

Great review.

I like the Macanudo 1968s and to answer your question, to my palate, the commercial version has a similar, if not identical profile to what you described in the fresh rolled.

T.G · 10-09-2009, 12:58 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by AD720

Wow cool cigar to review. I actually really liked the regular production 1968's but the price is pretty high.

I agree, they are a bit overpriced for what they are.

OHRD · 10-09-2009, 01:42 PM

So much about this seems unfair...

- A fresh rolled stick
- A trip to Amsterdam
- A place inside to smoke

Too lucky, just too lucky! Great review, looks mighty nice...

Adriftpanda · 10-09-2009, 01:43 PM

What is retail on them? Nice review Don!

Don Fernando · 10-09-2009, 02:09 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by matthewjmichael

- A trip to Amsterdam
- A place inside to smoke

I live in Amsterdam, and I live alone so I can smoke inside.

OHRD · 10-09-2009, 02:15 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Don Fernando

I live in Amsterdam, and I live alone so I can smoke inside.

Both of which make you lucky!

kelmac07 · 10-09-2009, 02:42 PM

Nice review Ferdie.

Starscream · 10-09-2009, 03:16 PM

Whodathunkit? A full-bodied Macanudo.

T.G · 10-09-2009, 03:37 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Adriftpanda

What is retail on them? Nice review Don!

IIRC MSRP is from $7 to $11 or thereabouts per cigar, depending on Vitola.

Adriftpanda · 10-09-2009, 09:06 PM

Thanks I'll make sure to NOT try this when I see them

10-09-2009, 12:38 PM	#1
Don Fernando Postwhore Join Date: Oct 2008 First Name: Ferdinand Location: Singapore Posts: 10,070 Trading: (29)	Fresh rolled Macanudo 1968 I went to see a roller, Christian Galvan, who works for General cigars at one of my favorite B&M’s in Amsterdam, Hartman cigars at the Beethovenstraat. Christian Galvan was there to roll cigars as part of the release of the Macanudo 1968 in The Netherlands. I smoked one right on the spot, and I brought one home to review and here it is. Macanudo came with this new blend and named it “1968” as that was the year that Cifuentes blended the original Macanudo café, so this is a cigar in his memory. The cigar is blended with tobacco from the Dominican Republic and Nicaragua, part of the filler comes from the remote island of Ometepe, which is located in the lake of a volcano. The binder is a Connecticut Habano and the wrapper is Honduran San Agustin Havana seed. The size of this fresh rolled cigar is 5.5 x 52 which is not a regular production size, it’s in between the 6 x 54 toro and the 5 x 50 robusto. The cigar smells like hay. The construction feels good though the draw is a bit on the loose side and gives me a mild peppery raisin flavor. The wrapper is smooth, oily and dark. I can taste toast, coffee and some pepper at the back of my throat. After a few puffs I also taste some bean but that flavor disappears soon, just like the toast. A chocolate flavor shows itself through the peppery coffee. After an inch the pepper joins the flavors that disappeared before and all I can taste is coffee with chocolate, of which the chocolate is slowly becoming the dominant flavor, but the flavors are well balanced. After reaching the 1/2nd point of the cigar I get some toast again and at 2/3rd the chocolate disappears for just a few puffs. The grand finale brings me some cedar with chocolate and later some nuts and chocolate. I get a lot of smoke, the smoke is a bit thin though. The ash is silver-gray and firm. The draw is fine and the burn is great, straight and it won’t die easily. I didn’t need to purge this cigar and could still nub it. This is a full flavored full bodied cigar, but the full bodyness is sneaky, because of the overwhelming flavors you don’t notice and realize that this is a powerful stick. Would I buy this cigar again? Yes, I liked it, but this was a 2 day old fresh rolled cigar, I don’t know if the cigars that are commercially available have the same flavor palate. Appearance: 8 / 10 Construction: 7 / 10 Draw: 7 / 10 Smoke & ash: 7 / 10 Burn: 8 / 10 Aroma (first part) 7 / 10 Aroma (middle part) 7 / 10 Aroma (last part) 8 / 10 __________________ check out my reviews on my blog.

10-09-2009, 12:52 PM	#2
AD720 I'm nuts for the place Join Date: Oct 2008 First Name: Andrew Location: The City of BOTL-erly Love Posts: 2,684 Trading: (73)	Re: Fresh rolled Macanudo 1968 Wow cool cigar to review. I actually really liked the regular production 1968's but the price is pretty high. I definitely tasted a lot of the toast, the chocolate and a bit of almost marshmallow like cream. You are dead on about the strength too. __________________

10-09-2009, 01:42 PM	#5
OHRD Garage w/ couch & ashtray Join Date: Sep 2009 First Name: Matt Posts: 1,377 Trading: (39)	Re: Fresh rolled Macanudo 1968 So much about this seems unfair... - A fresh rolled stick - A trip to Amsterdam - A place inside to smoke Too lucky, just too lucky! Great review, looks mighty nice... __________________ Did I tell you my garage has a couch and an ashtray? My wife doesn't let me sleep or smoke inside.

10-09-2009, 01:43 PM	#6
Adriftpanda Peter's Daddy Join Date: May 2009 First Name: Huy Location: No one wants me Posts: 10,313 Trading: (74)	Re: Fresh rolled Macanudo 1968 What is retail on them? Nice review Don! __________________ Who eats plantains when they can eat placenta.

10-09-2009, 02:42 PM	#9
kelmac07 Resident Maduro Whore!! Join Date: Apr 2009 First Name: Mac Location: Newport News, VA Posts: 27,322 Trading: (218)	Re: Fresh rolled Macanudo 1968 Nice review Ferdie. __________________ Dom in the MLB thread "I could probably get you to wear a Yankee hat for a Maduro!"

10-09-2009, 03:16 PM	#10
Starscream Knowhutimean, Vern? Join Date: Oct 2008 First Name: Andy Location: In a little town somewhere in the USA Posts: 10,237 Trading: (4)	Re: Fresh rolled Macanudo 1968 Whodathunkit? A full-bodied Macanudo. __________________ Insert quote here.

10-09-2009, 09:06 PM	#12
Adriftpanda Peter's Daddy Join Date: May 2009 First Name: Huy Location: No one wants me Posts: 10,313 Trading: (74)	Re: Fresh rolled Macanudo 1968 Thanks I'll make sure to NOT try this when I see them __________________ Who eats plantains when they can eat placenta.