I went looking for Macanudo Vintage 1997 cigar and found instead the Macanudo Maduro, which was 5½-inches long and had a ring size of 42 (42/64ths of an inch in diameter). The wrapper was Connecticut broadleaf and handcrafted in the Dominican Republic. 

 

It lists as a mild to medium cigar, and for the first 2/3s of the stick, I completely agree. The construction was nice, it lit easily, didn't need relighting and burned consistently throughout the experience. The last 1/3 of the cigar turned very rough -- not so much a full bodied smoke -- but actually producing a bitter aftertaste. 

 

Ladies, please don't be afraid of the dark wrapper -- this could be the one that lures you into smoking Maduros. This cigar had a slightly sweet on the lips flavor with notes of roasted nuts that sat in the middle of your mouth throughout. The smooth flavor stayed consistent till the last 1/3 when a strong earthy, woodsy taste overtook the cigar. For me it was a turn-off. 

 

All in all the Macanudo Maduro could be a good morning or after-lunch smoke for the Maduro cigar lover.  I might smoke it again, but it wasn't what I fully expected from the manufacturer. 

 

~ The Robusto Babe