Sancho Panza: Double Maduro vs. Extra Fuerte Review

[Snake Hips]

Well today I decided I was going to see for myself which of the Sancho Panzas I like best, because I could really use a go-to cigar that's affordable, and these are more than affordable. Also, there seems to be no consensus on these boards as to which is better. I've had a Double Maduro before, but it wasn't spectacular, but I hadn't tried the Extra Fuerte. So I thought I'd try one of each today to see.

The Double Maduro is apparently one of the favorites of my favorite clerk at my B&M, and is reputed to be one of the favorite bargain smokes of the folks around here. But for me, I didn't get a whole lot out of it for the first time.

Pulled out a Double Maduro Quixote this afternoon and put it to the flame. I cut the head (and all the caps came off) and noticed some stems in there, but lit it and went to work. It had some flavor, but I couldn't pin it, but it was a wee bit bitter the whole way. It was smoking up a storm, and it was kind of woody with a touch of sweetness, but didn't really impress me a second time - there was kind of a lack of flavor in general as opposed to having a bad flavor. This wasn't a bad thing necessarily: maybe I would love the Extra Fuerte, and find me a cheapie go-to. They are the same price, after all.

So the Double Maduro didn't do it for me really, and I didn't even really get to the band (it got real bitter toward that point, so I dug around the head and yanked out three big, lovely rib veins/stems, which might have been part of the problem, but whatever).

Tonight, I went after the Extra Fuerte. It was about twice as long as the Quixote, but I wanted a little longer smoke.

Clipped it, and again, all the caps came right off and the wrapper proceeded to come undone, but a little spit stopped that. No stems this time. The prelight draw was perfect in firmness and quite delicious. Toasted it, fixed up the burn and plugged away. Now <i>that's</i> what I'm talking about. It was a little sweet, with a noticeable spice on the tongue (cinnamon- and nutmeg-like, not peppery or strong) and some nutty or woody background. It was <i>full</i> of very enjoyable flavor, and I liked it a lot. Again, this thing churned out clouds of smoke. My dad approved (he's an ex-Mafia, war vet loan shark that's seasoned in good cigars) and was very surprised when I told him what it cost. This cigar was good - not "good for the price" good, it was a good cigar under any circumstances. I've been waiting for something like this (well, my wallet's been waiting), and I got it.

All in all, Extra Fuerte wins so far. I have one of each left, and I look forward to both of them, but I like the Extra Fuerte the best. These aren't terribly well constructed, but I won't complain. They deliver in flavor and price, so that's what matters more to me. These will be at the top of the "Need A Box Of" list when I have the storage space available.

Thanks for reading

[texasbadbob]

They are both bargan smokes with lots of good flavor. For the price it's hard to pick. I do think I like the extra fuerte a little bit better.

[longknocker]

Originally Posted by Snake Hips

Well today I decided I was going to see for myself which of the Sancho Panzas I like best, because I could really use a go-to cigar that's affordable, and these are more than affordable. Also, there seems to be no consensus on these boards as to which is better. I've had a Double Maduro before, but it wasn't spectacular, but I hadn't tried the Extra Fuerte. So I thought I'd try one of each today to see.

The Double Maduro is apparently one of the favorites of my favorite clerk at my B&M, and is reputed to be one of the favorite bargain smokes of the folks around here. But for me, I didn't get a whole lot out of it for the first time.

Pulled out a Double Maduro Quixote this afternoon and put it to the flame. I cut the head (and all the caps came off) and noticed some stems in there, but lit it and went to work. It had some flavor, but I couldn't pin it, but it was a wee bit bitter the whole way. It was smoking up a storm, and it was kind of woody with a touch of sweetness, but didn't really impress me a second time - there was kind of a lack of flavor in general as opposed to having a bad flavor. This wasn't a bad thing necessarily: maybe I would love the Extra Fuerte, and find me a cheapie go-to. They are the same price, after all.

So the Double Maduro didn't do it for me really, and I didn't even really get to the band (it got real bitter toward that point, so I dug around the head and yanked out three big, lovely rib veins/stems, which might have been part of the problem, but whatever).

Tonight, I went after the Extra Fuerte. It was about twice as long as the Quixote, but I wanted a little longer smoke.

Clipped it, and again, all the caps came right off and the wrapper proceeded to come undone, but a little spit stopped that. No stems this time. The prelight draw was perfect in firmness and quite delicious. Toasted it, fixed up the burn and plugged away. Now <i>that's</i> what I'm talking about. It was a little sweet, with a noticeable spice on the tongue (cinnamon- and nutmeg-like, not peppery or strong) and some nutty or woody background. It was <i>full</i> of very enjoyable flavor, and I liked it a lot. Again, this thing churned out clouds of smoke. My dad approved (he's an ex-Mafia, war vet loan shark that's seasoned in good cigars) and was very surprised when I told him what it cost. This cigar was good - not "good for the price" good, it was a good cigar under any circumstances. I've been waiting for something like this (well, my wallet's been waiting), and I got it.

All in all, Extra Fuerte wins so far. I have one of each left, and I look forward to both of them, but I like the Extra Fuerte the best. These aren't terribly well constructed, but I won't complain. They deliver in flavor and price, so that's what matters more to me. These will be at the top of the "Need A Box Of" list when I have the storage space available.

Thanks for reading

Thanks for the excellent review! I think I'll pick up a few Fuertes to try! RG for ya!

[BlackIrish]

Great review. I prefer the Extra Fuerte myself.

[Coz77]

Originally Posted by BlackIrish

Great review. I prefer the Extra Fuerte myself.

I too like the Extra Fueret better.

Try purging your Double Maduro Quixote a few times at the half way point. I really seems to "freshen" up that bitter/unpleasant taste you were talking about.

[jsaund22]

Thanks for the review. I had a Double Maduro about a month ago, and enjoyed it for the most part, but like you, I experienced a harsh bitterness during the second half. I also had a big stem right in the middle of the cut end, and just like yours, mine began to unravel immediately. Seems to be a theme with this cigar.

Construction issues aside, I can handle smoking half a stick for what it costs, but if the Extra Fuerte is that much better, I'll definitely be picking one up and giving it a try.

[Snake Hips]

Originally Posted by jsaund22

Thanks for the review. I had a Double Maduro about a month ago, and enjoyed it for the most part, but like you, I experienced a harsh bitterness during the second half. I also had a big stem right in the middle of the cut end, and just like yours, mine began to unravel immediately. Seems to be a theme with this cigar.

Construction issues aside, I can handle smoking half a stick for what it costs, but if the Extra Fuerte is that much better, I'll definitely be picking one up and giving it a try.

Indeed. For the price, the construction issues are at the bottom of the list of my concerns. But I did think the Extra Fuerte had a lot more character and flavor. Worth trying for the price in any case, review or not

@Coz77
I purged it to no end, believe me. It works for one or two draws for me. Usually this works for most cigars, but this thing was intent on trying to get me to stop smoking it, haha.

And also, I noted that these things have an odd tendency to light on fire when you go to correct the burn...anyone get that? I take the Bic to it and the wrapper and ash just catch on fire...it's comical and strange to see. Wonder why these do that.

[mugwump]

The DM Quixotes are among my favorites and if I've learned anything while going through boxes of these it's that you need to punch, not cut, the cap. Some still fall apart but much less frequently. I still need to try the EFs.

[Garzilla]

Originally Posted by Snake Hips

Indeed. For the price, the construction issues are at the bottom of the list of my concerns. But I did think the Extra Fuerte had a lot more character and flavor. Worth trying for the price in any case, review or not

@Coz77
I purged it to no end, believe me. It works for one or two draws for me. Usually this works for most cigars, but this thing was intent on trying to get me to stop smoking it, haha.

And also, I noted that these things have an odd tendency to light on fire when you go to correct the burn...anyone get that? I take the Bic to it and the wrapper and ash just catch on fire...it's comical and strange to see. Wonder why these do that.

Yes, this has happened to me several times with the Double Maduros. Maybe it's related to the amount of smoke these things give off. Lots of oils? Or maybe their impregnated with lighter fluid like the charcoal I use in my grill?

[chris45set]

I recently purchased a fiver of each of these from CI.
The DMs really were oily ROTT, I could see it at the "burn point" where ash meets cigar body.
This did dinimish with age, but if I look closely I can still see it.
I have also found the DM to be slightly bitter, although this also improves with some age (2 weeks).
I tell myself I prefer the EF, not bitter at all to me, and the fivers are a larger vitola (Madrids). Maybe I should try the Escudero in the DM.
I looked in the humi yesterday, and I have only one DM left, and still have three EFs.
And the punch recommendation over cut is spot on, helped me reduce the cap problem significantly.
Both of these are enjoyable smokes, and will likely be a staple when I start buying boxes.