La Vieja Habana Brazilian Maduro Chateau Corona Review

[duckmanco]

I searched for reviews around here and asked a few BOTL's I knew that had tried them and pulled the trigger on a box, and at 25 bucks a box for 20 from TNT, how in the hell could I not? I smoked the 1st of the box last night.

Initial Appearance/Prelight

I let one of the sticks (5.5x46) rest uncello'd in my desktop while the rest are on vacation in the cooler, for about a week after getting them. I punched the cap and found THE PERFECT DRAW, hands down, just the right amount of resistance and free flowing air. I noticed the usual maduro sweetness from the prelight draw also.

Lighting/1st 3rd

The cigar lit quickly and easily and for some reason the perfect draw I thought I had turned into a dud. For some reason, I was not getting the thick volumes of smoke I thought I would given a draw this loose. I decided to go to work and cut the cap with a double bladed cutter and this also did nothing. I began to roll the stick around in my fingers to loosen the tobacco and that helped a little, but it took till about an inch into the stick and then BAM!! Its as if it opened its valve and then I got the rich, creamy, clouds of smoke. As a disclaimer I will also say, my palate is not very defined, so when I get coffee/cocoa notes out of a maduro cigar, I get happy. This cigar gave me sweet coffee/cocoa and a slight woodsy pepper flavor profile with an incredibly smooth medium body. These cigars never approach the full side of medium which was a welcomed change from the LGC Serie R's I also love.

2nd Third

The stick continued to smoke great and the burn, was the best example of self-correcting that I have seen yet, if it even started to get out of whack, the wrapper stepped in and handled its business. Never required a touch up, which for me, is a feat. The stick kept giving me the same great smooth flavors, to me very similar in profile of the SPDM yet without the full body, which is nice because now I have the option.

Nub

I took this cigar to its end, and will also admit that I was working overtime during its consumption and rushed the cigar a good bit, and it never got harsh or nasty. It smoked cool, and nicely all the way down to the end.

Final Thoughts

Cons
-Because its a medium/long filler sandwich blend, you do get bits of tobacco in your mouth, as far as I am concerned, for around 1 something a piece, I don't even remotely care.

-The odd draw issue/slight plug that finally vanished is odd, but I am not going to hold it against the box until I smoke more of them, which I assure I will be doing.

Pros

-THIS IS A HELL OF A CIGAR BARGAIN
-I throughly enjoyed this maduro and highly rec. them to anyone who likes maduro's especially with the smoothness of the smoke on the palate, I had not experienced smoke that smooth yet and really, really liked it. I am also glad I bought a box of them and at the price they are, I really don't think you can go wrong here.

SIDE NOTE
TNT had a deal going where if you picked up a 5 pack of their TNT Padron Ann. Alt. for around 13 or so you get free shipping on your whole order, which shipping is 5 bucks anyway, so for around 8 bucks more you get the 5 pack of the ALT. and the La Vieja Habana Brazilian Maduro Chateau Corona's for around 40 or so........ killer deal if you ask me.

[SteveDMatt]

I have to agree with this review. I enjoy all of the La Vieja Habana line, especially for the price.

I hope you find that the early draw probelm was a fluke. I have smoked many of these and never remember a plug problem. I have had a few that were slightly loose.

Thanks for the review.

[paul95se]

Currently cigarmonster.com "Deal of the Day"
Box of 20 for $24.95 shipped.

[SmokeFiend]

Thanks for the review. I keep hearing good things about these cigars, might have to put it on my "to try" list (which seems to be growing everyday since joining CS)...

[duckmanco]

This price isnt that great, but when you factor in the free shipping, its not bad. TNTcigars.com has them all the time for 25 a box, which is where I got mine. I like these cigars, but after smoking the re introduced Early years blend from CI, I think the EY are worth the slightly higher cost. They are way fuller in body, but soo much richer. However, these brazilian maduro wrapped smokes are great to give to new smokers.

[ScottishSmoker]

Man am I happy too hear this...I did buy the cigarmonster deal...at least I have something good to look forward too...