Review Notes: I love a good Nicaraguan maduro, and this is one of the nicer ones I've had. I prefer the Churchill for antano, but this has some of the sweetest, coolest smoke for all of Joya de Nic's lines. Not that it has anything to do with THIS review, but the Celebracion line, well... let's just say it's a great disappointment. ANYHOW, THIS stick has a wonderful pre-light aromna of earth and campfire. Sounds nasty, but when lit, the spices come alive and the taste is a 10 in my book -- 11 if I could go there! Summary? Pros = the taste/ flavor was creamy and silky, literally making my mouth water; the appearance and feel of the maduro leaf was pretty nice - not the best, but above most - with few veigns and a pliable-yet-leathery texture; the body starts medium (at best) but builds, but you can't tell it nearly as much due to the refined smoothness and creamy overtones. Cons = while appearance is grand, the construction wasn't so hot, with uneven burns and tubing-outs (i've been told this is a local term, meaning the filler burns a good inch into the unlit binder + wrap until the air can't get in to keep the stick lit); the value was so-so, as in 'ya get what ya pay for'. All in all, an 8 or 8.5 for me. For the price, I expected more (not that this is expensive, but still), yet for flavor I'd gladly give a 10.