Flavor question for the cigar vets

[willymccabe]

Hello all. I'm a cigar newbie and I'm hoping you long time cigar vets can set me straight about something. I've only been smoking cigars since about this past August (mostly lower to medium tier sticks between $6-10) and I've discovered I really like a maduro wrapper as opposed to a natural, but I still like a natural wrapper as well. But last night I tried a Macanudo Cafe in the Hyde Park size and was utterly turned off. The entire thing from first third to last tasted terrible. I kept expecting a mellow smoke with these creamy notes I've been hearing about, but what I actually experienced was a heavy, muddy nasty taste. I can only describe it as what I imagine smoking dirt must taste like. I kept hoping it would mellow out the longer I smoked but it never did. Now I know my palate is seriously unsophisticated, so what I'm wondering is, am I missing something here? I understand that a person probably isn't going to like every cigar they try, but at the same time, I don't really want to give up (on this particular stick) because I'd like to learn to appreciate the different blends of various cigars, including this one. Am I missing something? Or just overthinking a stick that just isn't for me?

 

[Scap]

It was probably too wet.
Also, it was a Macanudo.

 

[cabaiguan juan]

Vinegar and talcum powder as the answers.

 

[herdingcats]

I picked up a batch of macanuto cafe court (a smaller relative of the stick you're talking about) in late September. It smoked like I'd imagine the grass from my front yard. I went back and smelled the batch and sure enough, there was ammonia. Seems clear the manufacturer gave this no aging at all. I'll check mine again in 2026.

I wonder if yours suffered from a similar problem. If you have any left, some aging in a humidor might help.

 

[bfreebern]

You and I could sit next to each other, smoke the same cigar and get different reactions. It's just the way things go sometimes.

 

[CBoukal]

You and I could sit next to each other, smoke the same cigar and get different reactions. It's just the way things go sometimes.

I thought you had a court order again this crap...

@willymccabe I'd say Herdingcats has the answer you are looking for. But here was my initial reaction to your post. Its free soo take it at face value

1. After you have been smoking cigars for a few years, you'll probably never smoke a macanudo again.
2. See #1
3. Their quality is low and apparently QA is that of a Gurkha....
4. Don't smoke Gurkhas, I don't care how much they are on sale for.
5. I'd guess they aren't aged or you got tar.
6. Stick around here a while and you'll learn a TON!! We happen to have a vherf going on right now if you want to join!
7. Stay Smokey and don't cross cigars while siting next to Brandon

 

[Mavric]

I cant stand a lit Macanudo cafe but I will chew the shit out of one . If you want a cafe cigar go with Drew Estates or Nub IMO.

 

[willymccabe]

I cant stand a lit Macanudo cafe but I will chew the shit out of one . If you want a cafe cigar go with Drew Estates or Nub IMO.

I love NUBs.

I thought you had a court order again this crap...

@willymccabe I'd say Herdingcats has the answer you are looking for. But here was my initial reaction to your post. Its free soo take it at face value

1. After you have been smoking cigars for a few years, you'll probably never smoke a macanudo again.
2. See #1
3. Their quality is low and apparently QA is that of a Gurkha....
4. Don't smoke Gurkhas, I don't care how much they are on sale for.
5. I'd guess they aren't aged or you got tar.
6. Stick around here a while and you'll learn a TON!! We happen to have a vherf going on right now if you want to join!
7. Stay Smokey and don't cross cigars while siting next to Brandon

Point taken. I'll steer clear of Macanudo.

 

[willymccabe]

I picked up a batch of macanuto cafe court (a smaller relative of the stick you're talking about) in late September. It smoked like I'd imagine the grass from my front yard. I went back and smelled the batch and sure enough, there was ammonia. Seems clear the manufacturer gave this no aging at all. I'll check mine again in 2026.

I wonder if yours suffered from a similar problem. If you have any left, some aging in a humidor might help.

Thank you! I'm going to try that.

 

[PuffTheMagicDragon]

I like the Macanudo Inspirado White. They seem to all smoke just fine.

Sometimes, ya just get a bad stick. A couple of months in the humidor will sometimes help.

 

[meadeweber]

It was probably too wet.
Also, it was a Macanudo.

I think the first reply had it; it may have been over humidified.

 

[lucasbuck]

Sounds like you got a bad stick. It was a macanudo Tubos (one of their higher end cigars) that was my first - bought at a tinder box in the olden days on a lark. That cigar started me down this path. I thought it was awesome. Then again I don’t think I ever smoked another macanudo of any kind after that one.

 

[wrussell46]

Smoke Davidoff. Thank me later.

 

[Scap]

Stroke David off. Thank me later.

Wait, what?!?

 

[dawgie34203]

Wait, what?!?

 

[grateful1]

1. Could be the cigar... not to your taste
2. Could be your taste... whatca ate or drank.

3. Smoke what you like!

 

[wrussell46]

Wait, what?!?

In the words of Tony Hinchcliffe, “You son of a bitch!”