Griffin Piramide maduro vs H. Upmann Mag 46 Review

[rjs]

I posted my last grudge match in the Habanos Lounge, that's why I'm putting this one here.

Griffin Piramide maduro vs H. Upmann Mag 46 (isom 3/99)

Another battle! Another back to back smokeout to see if one of my an established favorites can hold it's place against a newcomer (to me) in my personal top 25 list of smokes.

The Griffin Piramide maduro
Made by Davidoff, the Griffins maduro is a newcomer in the Grffins line. This smoke rated a 4.4 in Smoke magazine and is one of my current favorites.

The H. Upmann Mag 46
This is a new (to me) smoke recommended by some well known LLGs. The Mag 46 is a corona grande that has scored some good comments in the Habanos forum.

Appearances
The Griffin is humidor candy right from the start. A dark, almost black, smooth maduro wrapper free of prominent veins. The Piramide feels slightly soft without any lumps. This is a rich, sexy looking cigar.

The H. Upmann Mag 46 looks very average with it's smooth tan wrapper which is also free of prominent veins. In all fairness, the Mag 46 was purchased from overseas as a single and may have suffered some from the trip. But this is war! The 46 is firm and packed with tobacco.
I have to give this one to the Griffin maduro.
Griffin 1, Mag 46 0

Construction, Quality, and Lighting
I used a cutter on both smokes.
The Griffin is made by Davidoff, what can I say? The Piramide has a perfect draw. The maduro light easily and burns pretty even with a fair amount of smoke. The nearly white ash is firm. The aroma is strong but pleasant.

The Mag 46's draw was just a tad tight, but not enough to be a problem. The light was easy and the cigar burned dead even with a typical firm isom mixed ash. The Mag 46 doesn't give off much smoke when idle, but take a draw and you are rewarded by copious amounts of thick smoke and a floral aroma. (jsl told me it was floral) When lighting, I could see the foot had very fine, tightly packed folds of tobacco.
I like 'em both. A tie in this category.
Griffin 1, Mag 46 1

Taste and Aftertaste
The Griffin Piramide starts out with big flavor and develops quickly into a full bodied, spicy smoke. The surprise is that the classic smoothness of the Griffin character has been retained with all the added flavor. Earthy, spicy, mouth filling flavor. And there is some power here too. The buzz factor is about 7 or 8. (isom Hoyo DC = buzz factor 10)

The Mag 46 surprised me from the start. This was the first time I smoked a Mag 46. Before lighting, I had the H. Upmann in my mouth for a few moments and the taste came through right away. jsl calls this smoke "delicious" and I couldn't agree more. Many different flavors came through from the draw and release of the smoke as well as the after taste. There is also some spiciness that builds throughout the smoke. There was a little power, maybe a buzz factor 4, but the taste was the big story. I never got tired of the taste of this cigar.
The Griffin has full bodied complex tastes. The Mag 46 is has even more complexity and seems refined. This one has to go to the Mag 46.
Griffin 0, Mag 46 1

Final score: Griffin 2, Mag 46 2, but I have to crown the Mag 46 the winner because the taste is, after all, the most important category.

The Griffin Piramide maduro is a great smoke in my book. The looks, construction, and flavor are all good. The Griffin lived up to it's reputation with me on this occasion.

The H. Upmann, although no beauty queen, had the goods in the construction department to equal the Grffin. The flavor is where the Mag 46 pulled ahead. The Mag 46 had more complexity of flavors and was actually a refreshing smoke. I never got tired of the flavor. On this day, the H. Upmann Mag 46 is the clear winner. Tough work, but someones got to do it! LOL

What's next?

….. rjs

[jsl]

rjs,

This is a really fun review format. The mag46 will never win any beauty contests, in fact, not many Habanos will, but as you said the flavor is the big ticket here. I'm surprised by your strength review-- mine are strong. I've smoked about a half box of them the past week or so, and I am still in love with this smoke. What was the birthday of your sample?

On a seperate note, you have mentioned several times that the Hoyo DC is strong, but I find it to be on the medium side. Do you smoke them often? When did you have your last? How old are those that you are smoking? Just curious. I get no buzz from them.

jsl

[rjs]

jsl,

The mag 46's I have are from 3/99.

Funny that you should ask about the HDM DC. I'm smoking one right now from a fresh batch of singles I received with the Mag 46's in January.

My comments about buzz factor for the HDM DC were from a box I had about 18 months ago. They were fairly young (6 months) and I had to sit down after about 3 draws. That's where I set my standard.

The HDM DC (3/00) I'm having now is not the same cigar at all. The wrapper is lighter than my previous box. I'm about on third of the way through and it is mild to medium at this point. Nice aroma, but the taste hasn't really developed yet. I'm kind of disappointed.

I've got to find that other box! LOL Or maybe I just got lucky since they were young. Oh well.

I'm kind funny when it comes to the cigar strength dept. Some smokes that others consider powerful don't affect me the same way at all. ie. the VSG line. Yet with other smokes, I'll identify completely with others. ie Bolivar PC. But that is what makes cigar smoking so "individual".

These reviews have been fun I'm trying some the "new" Habanos that you guys have recommended. isom vs non isom. A cigar I know vs a totally new smoke.

I hope you'll be able to put up a couple of contest of your own.

... rjs

[dvickery]

just lit the griffin pyramid maduro that rjs sent me.what a nice smoke...not too much power(for me anyway),mellow smoke so my guess is it has a bit of age,taste is right on in the review .never seen one live before...this is a beauty,would smoke one with a friend.thanks rob
derrek

[DUFFER]

That's quite the nice review! Applause for guys like RJS that make this site such solid place to hang out.

[rjs]

dvickery,

Glad you enjoyed the smoke. I think that particular cigar has about 8 months on it. I'm always impressed with the big taste yet so smooth. Once in a while SJ Cigars has them for $100/box. A pretty good smoke for $4/stick.

... rjs

[rjs]