Casa Magna-Overhyped and underwhelming

[GTsetGO]

smoked one with java today. it was "okay". Definately not the best cigar that i have smoked this year..

During the smoking process it burned uneven and I had to relight it about 7 times as it kept going out.

fun times.

[Mr B]

Nice review Bob. Thanks

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.

I passed on smoking one of these the other day in favour of my first red label 601..looks like I will try one of these enxt week.

[bobarian]

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

[Ratters]

Originally Posted by Killjoy

I passed on smoking one of these the other day in favour of my first red label 601..looks like I will try one of these enxt week.

This really is a pretty decent smoke, just not amazing. I would definitely smoke another if given then chance. But they would have to be at least $3 a stick by the box like my beloved Camachos before I'd consider it.

Now the 601 red, I'll pay a tad more for.

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]

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.

[jaymz]

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.

[bobarian]

Originally Posted by jaymz

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.

If you can get up to Orlando, Corona Cigars has one of the biggest assortments in the country.

Ton's of stuff under $10 to be recommended.

Full strength/Full flavor

Cruzado-I really like the little perfecto, Marela
Joya de Nicaragua Consul-powerhouse robusto, the Machito is also tasty in the PC size. I also like the lancero
Tatuaje Havana VI(red label)-I like the smaller sizes
Camacho Diploma(Corojo)-the 11/18 size may be the perfect smoke
Litto Gomez Diez-Not for the faint of heart, the Chisel will put you on the floor.
Camacho Triple Maduro-Probably the most expensive on this list but worth the $

Medium Full
Cabiguan-The petites are a great short smoke
Rocky Patel Sungrown-The only RP I will smoke
La Flor Dominicana Double Ligero-Most consider the Chisel a Full, the El Jocko is a tasty little perfecto, the Lancero is tasty
Tatuaje Miami(brown)-Especiales(lancero) is my fav
Oliva O, G and V-All great smokes-Try the Special G maduro and the V lancero

Bargain smokes
Don Kiki Brown Botella from Cuban Crafters
Sancho Panza Double Maduro


Those are just a few and I am sure I missed some. But I dont think you can go wrong with any of these.

[borndead1]

Just lit up the second of 2 sticks I bought. The first one was a huge "meh". I try to give most cigars a second chance, so I decided today is the day for the Casa Magna.


First 1/3
Very sweet on the draw, and that pure, instantly recognizable Nicaraguan spice in the nose, a little floral on the finish. This one already tastes way different from the first one. Maybe they just needed a few weeks in the humi.

Second 1/3
Wow, this is like a completely different cigar. A lot more flavor than the first one, better burn too. The place I bought them from always has the humidity cranked up in their humidor. I've seen it as high as 74% before. Amazing what a difference it makes. Flavor-wise, seems to be going back and forth between charred wood and floral, with the ever-present Nicaraguan bite in the nose exhale. They're growing some tasty tobacco down there in Nicaragua. This is definitely NOT one of your typical quadruple ligero bombs that are so popular these days. "Strength" is a solid medium.

Final 1/3
Getting a little ammonia, did a flame purge and it cleared up. This one could have used some more rest. Flavor-wise the floral is a little more upfront and the wood is gone. Floral and tangy. Let it die at just under 2".


This one was waaaaaay better than the first one I smoked. Still don't agree with the ranking though. But I will pick up a few more and put them to bed for a few months and revisit.

[Skywalker]

Originally Posted by jaymz

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.

The Dona Flor Selecao the year before last!!!

Under five dollars a stick!!!

[bobarian]

Originally Posted by borndead1

Just lit up the second of 2 sticks I bought. The first one was a huge "meh". I try to give most cigars a second chance, so I decided today is the day for the Casa Magna.


First 1/3
Very sweet on the draw, and that pure, instantly recognizable Nicaraguan spice in the nose, a little floral on the finish. This one already tastes way different from the first one. Maybe they just needed a few weeks in the humi.

Second 1/3
Wow, this is like a completely different cigar. A lot more flavor than the first one, better burn too. The place I bought them from always has the humidity cranked up in their humidor. I've seen it as high as 74% before. Amazing what a difference it makes. Flavor-wise, seems to be going back and forth between charred wood and floral, with the ever-present Nicaraguan bite in the nose exhale. They're growing some tasty tobacco down there in Nicaragua. This is definitely NOT one of your typical quadruple ligero bombs that are so popular these days. "Strength" is a solid medium.

Final 1/3
Getting a little ammonia, did a flame purge and it cleared up. This one could have used some more rest. Flavor-wise the floral is a little more upfront and the wood is gone. Floral and tangy. Let it die at just under 2".


This one was waaaaaay better than the first one I smoked. Still don't agree with the ranking though. But I will pick up a few more and put them to bed for a few months and revisit.

Thanks bro, will have to revisit this one as well. Just a bit hard to find atm.

[GTsetGO]

they only sent coronas out to the shops and have the robusto and another size on back order according to my local shop.

they are supposed to recieve more within a couple of weeks

[ade06]

Originally Posted by bobarian

but no depth or complexity and barely any nic kick.

I had one for the first time last night and I wasn't overly impressed either, but I found that it did have quite a bit of nic kick. It wasn't bad but, I probably won't buy another one because like a lot of people have already stated; there are just too many other better cigars at the $5 price point.

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.

[BengalMan]

Originally Posted by jaymz

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.

Pick up a Oliva Serie V Dbl Robusto. MSRP is $5.50 and it was the #12 cigar of the year. See what you think of it.

[groogs]

I am going to pull mine out of the humi tonight and see what all the fuss is about.

I had one the other day, it was the corona size. I could not get it to dry for ****. I was not impressed.

[shilala]

I got one a few weeks ago at Slippery Rock Cigars. Sofaman got one, too.
He smoked his and said "meh". Not that the cigar was bad, it just wasn't anything to dance about and certainly not a #1.
Mine is still in my humi. I think it's a torp. I'm looking forward to trying it just to see what it compares to. When I saw it and smelled it, it reminded me a LOT of Taboo's SFO.