Macanudo Hyde Park Cafe Review

[rmr]

One thing that makes human beings different from various other species on the planet is that they have the ability to choose. Now we may not always agree on some of the choices that people make, we still should respect those choices. It was important to throw in that disclaimer before I finish typing this review. I am working on a project with several Americans and one of them was kind enough to give me one, seriously I mean that part. I use to think that Canada imposed an embargo on Macanudos because you could never find them here, but now I know that the Government of Canada actually had the best interest of it's citizens on their minds.

Construction
Very Good. The wrapper was very smooth and the cigar was perfectly rolled not tight or loose spots. The pre-light draw hinted at a very good draw. The cigar burned perfectly level with a snow-white ash.

Flavour
Your kidding right? There was none. I mean none. As I was drawing on the cigar I couldn't taste anything. I kept seeing smoke and I kept tasting nothing. I kept asking myself is it lit? I no longer have to spend my days wondering what it would be like to smoke distilled water, I have now done it. Since I was smoking this cigar with the person who gave it to me I could put it out. After we finished our smokes he asked me what I thought of it. What I said was "A little mild, but not bad". What else could I say? I have heard that Macs are the most popular cigars in the States. For reasons unknown to me as I smoked this cigar I kept thinking about mass produced American beer.

Pro's
Didn't have an offensive taste

Con's
Didn't have any taste

Overall - 2.0/10.0

Thank you and Goodnight
RMR

[2chairs]

The best thing Macanudo has going for them is their bus that's going across the land. It was here in Atlanta a while back. Quite an impressive set of wheels; would make a helluva way to get to UGA football games but they won't loan it to me. They gave me one of the Hyde Park's. I put it in my pocket (to give away later to someone who doesn't know jack squat about cigars) and when they weren't paying attention, fired up a RASS and smoked it in the bus while drinking their beer.

[rkt]

I've seem pictures of the bus. It looked like good transportation for LLG's to use at herfs. Like another thread here, a rolling LLG
Lounge.:7

[rjs]

rmr,

Thanks for the review. I share your evaluation about the natural hyde park. The Robust version is supposed to be stronger, and has already been re-blended from a lack of "robustness". Then there is the Hyde Park Maduro.

The maduro hyde park is actually a Macanudo that talks back to you. I like the maduro Diplomat (a figurado)also.

... rjs

[kjpman]

Sometimes its funny to think, maybe the reason why we cant tast much is becuase the tastes are far to subtle for our own tongue that takes a mack truck to find something. its like our taste buds have become weatherd by the storm and now are a bit calioused?? Could that be the reason why alot of us favor strong cigars, we need more umph to tastes the differences in the smoke???? I remember when i first started enjoying cigars, i used to like the Mac Portofino, but now can taste nothing but air. hahahaha im gonna get reamed on this one but thought it might stir up some action!!!!!!!}>

take it easy on me...

......kjpman

[rkt]

I have always liked the stronger smokes. Of course, I like
darker beers,(not American yellow water).

I like coffee, fuller bodied wines, well spiced foods too.

I think I like stronger tastes all the way around.
First cigars I bought were maduros. I have tried others
but tend to move back to more flavorful smokes.

Lately, some of my go-to smokes haven't been doing it.
May have to dig down in the humi and pull up something
different to wake up the taste buds. There are a few that
have been hiding down there.

[big_bish]

I'm with rkt on this one. I drink full bodied coffee, enjoy dark beer, well spiced foods, and strong cigars. When I eat at home I always have to add more pepper, or more chili powder, or more spice in general, and thats how I like my cigars. I'm not saying that I don't enjoy a mild smoke every now and again, I just prefer them strong.

[rkt]

Right on, bro! Everything needs a little pepper.

[rjs]

[Aaron]

Originally Posted by rmr

...
Construction
Very Good. The wrapper was very smooth and the cigar was perfectly rolled not tight or loose spots. The pre-light draw hinted at a very good draw. The cigar burned perfectly level with a snow-white ash.

Flavour
Your kidding right? There was none. I mean none. As I was drawing on the cigar I couldn't taste anything. I kept seeing smoke and I kept tasting nothing. I kept asking myself is it lit? I no longer have to spend my days wondering what it would be like to smoke distilled water, I have now done it. Since I was smoking this cigar with the person who gave it to me I could put it out. After we finished our smokes he asked me what I thought of it. What I said was "A little mild, but not bad". What else could I say? I have heard that Macs are the most popular cigars in the States. For reasons unknown to me as I smoked this cigar I kept thinking about mass produced American beer.

Pro's
Didn't have an offensive taste

Con's
Didn't have any taste

Overall - 2.0/10.0

Thank you and Goodnight
RMR

You wrote it better than I could. I've had one Mac (Portofino tubo -- distinct urine taste, not that I've tasted urine but the smell of urine seemed to be the pervasive flavor) before buying 3 Macanudo Cafe Baron de Rothschilds based on a PM recommendation a few weeks ago from a fellow Gorilla as I was seeking a mild smoke to contrast my usual stronger taste preference: CAO Brazilia Gol! and Mx2.

I'm down to the last 2" on this one and you're 110% right on construction. I wish all of my smokes burned this well.

As I was smoking this one in my office. I left it in my ashtray for 5 minutes to do something out of my office, came back to a pleasant aroma, started puffing again. Lots of smoke, but a faint metallic "distilled water" flavor is exactly what I'm thinking. I started looking here on the forums for "Macanudo Cafe" and found this post to add my experience.

RKT is right... this is a smoke for people who like American Light Beer, which means no taste at all but the appearance of doing something vaguely perceived as enjoyable. This was to cigars what doing the nasty with an inflatable party doll is to being with a hot girlfriend*. The mechanics seem to be familiar but the experience is plastic, an utterly unfulfilling letdown.

For me, if I was at a party and wanted a beer and there was a cooler full of American suds, I'd probably ask if there was any club soda, instead. I'd sooner go thirsty or maybe even drink tap water. Bad beer makes me sad, it's worse than being in junior high, playing spin the bottle and having it point to your kid sister. Being around people who LIKE bad beer makes me wonder if I'm in the wrong building.

I'll give the other 2 Mac Barons in my humi a LONG time to marry to my better smokes for a better experience.

I remember when I first started herfing a year ago when I met another BOTL who'd ask me what I was smoking (probably a Brazilia) and they'd mention that they liked Macs. I'll take their subsequent recommendations VERY seriously from now on... to make sure NOT to do what they suggest.

Does Macanudo make ANYTHING good or do I just write off the brand as hopeless? So far I'm 0 for 2.

Sigh...


[SIZE=1][SIZE=3]*[/SIZE]For the record, I've never done the nasty with an inflatable party doll.[/SIZE]

[Charles]

I started out with Mac Hyde Parks years ago. For a complete newbie, they are pretty good cigars, but very overpriced. As you stated, they look good, light well, burn well, and breathe, but are not at all overpowering...period. I have two or three left from a box purchased long ago that I will consider pulling out for an early morning or afternoon smoke when I want a smoke, but am saving myself for a real tasty after dinner stick.

I like the comparison to mass produced beer in the States.

[TypeO-]

I bought a box of the Hyde Parks three months ago when I started smoking cigars regularly. It looks like I'm alone here, but I like them. It's true, it is a very light smoke; much lighter than what I'd typically smoke. It's a good starter cigar for those just getting into the scene.

I haven't smoked one for over two months. I just can't seem to pick up one of the Hyde Parks when I've got VSGs, PAMs and Habanos to choose from. However, I think the Hyde Park still has it's place in my humi. If nothing else, it's a good cigar to give to guests if they decide they'd like to have a smoke with me. I think they are overpriced if one were to buy them at the Tinderbucks. At JR, they're less than $3.50 when bought by the box. They can be had at Cbid for even less.

I think I'll burn one this weekend to see if my affinity for the Hyde Park is still warranted.

[MikeP]

I see nothing wrong with having variety in the humi, some milds, some medium, some fuller bodied. I've always defended the quality of construction on the Macs and I do have a Prince Phillip that I was given about a year ago sitting in the humi. I'm not saving it for any particular reason, I've just not had the time to sit down with that big guy. But as far as choosing what milds I want in my humi., I can find others that have more flavor, still on the mild side, at about half the cost of the Mac. But they always do burn nice and perfect.

[vudu9]

To me, Macanudo = Coors light.

I'll drink Coors light if that's the only thing available yet, I'd much rather be drinking a Guiness.

[fuegomedic]

Macanudo Robust......I had so much hope for you......the way you would taste.....your draw.........but you have let me down...............why ???