After seeing the cigar’s tagline, I was prepared for some spicy power. Cain certainly delivered on its promise, as this cigar is not for the faint of heart. The first third starts things off mildly, with cedar and rich cocoa. It’s not until the second third that the power comes through via spicy pepper. Some wood is also present at this time. The pepper continues into the final third, keeping things at a full-bodied level. Coffee and leather close out the smoking experience.

I’m not necessarily the biggest fan of powerful cigars, but if I was, the Cain Maduro 550 would be just what the doctor ordered. The cigar has plenty of power and also exhibits complexity. I’d recommend it to those who enjoy full-bodied smokes with bold flavor. Beginners should look elsewhere. A single sells for around $6, and you can also find the 500 in packs of five or boxes of 24. It’s not the type of stogie you want to start your day with. Instead, light it up after dinner to end your day on a positive note.

The Cain Maduro 550 earns a rating of 3.5 out of four stars.

Quesada Tributo Alvaro

You don’t have to know Spanish to guess that the Quesada Tributo is a tribute cigar. Manuel Quesada is the man behind the Tributo’s blending, which was created in memory of four fallen members of the Quesada family.

The Quesada Tributo Alvaro is a Belicoso that measures 6 x 52. There are three other sizes in the line: the 4 ½ x 40 Alvarito, 5 x 50 Julio, and 6 ½ x 60 Manolin. As you can see, each size carries the name of different members of the Quesada family. The cigar’s filler consists of Dominican and Nicaraguan Ligero tobaccos. The binder is Honduran Ligero. The wrapper is easily the most interesting component, as it’s an Ecuadorian hybrid made from four different seeds: Habano 2000, Corojo, Habano Vuelta Arriba, and Sumatra. The Tributo is classified as medium to full-bodied in strength.