Maduro Wrappers

[Upstatemax]

I've never considered aging it as I've always heard an IPA fades in the flavor/aroma sector. I brew my hoppier beers in intervals with things that do sit.

I enjoyed the aged ones. Let some of the Hop flavor fade a bit and let the complexity of the beer come through.

You get the crisp IPA right away, but a more complex and rich after taste.

[Shaun]

Sticks with maduro wrappers can vary wildly. To the point that is makes me wonder what the "maduro" label really means. Is the Drew Estate Undercrown a maduro? It's got a maduro wrapper but, in my opinion, none of the typical maduro flavors. The AJ Diesel Unholy Cocktail is a maduro (by wrapper) but again, pretty unusual flavors for a maduro. Maduro is way too broad to categorically say that they've got a bad name. Or that they're collectively great.

[HIM]

Sticks with maduro wrappers can vary wildly. To the point that is makes me wonder what the "maduro" label really means. Is the Drew Estate Undercrown a maduro? It's got a maduro wrapper but, in my opinion, none of the typical maduro flavors. The AJ Diesel Unholy Cocktail is a maduro (by wrapper) but again, pretty unusual flavors for a maduro. Maduro is way too broad to categorically say that they've got a bad name. Or that they're collectively great.

The key is that maduro is a process. I think what dictates the flavor has more to do with what variety of tobacco it is than the fact the leaf was processed into maduro leaf. The rest of the blend plays a part in what we taste too but plain and simple....San Andres, CT or PA broadleaf, Habano, criollo, corojo, etc all taste different. I think the familiar "maduro" flavors most people think of are the taste of broadleaf.

[Shaun]

The key is that maduro is a process. I think what dictates the flavor has more to do with what variety of tobacco it is than the fact the leaf was processed into maduro leaf. The rest of the blend plays a part in what we taste too but plain and simple....San Andres, CT or PA broadleaf, Habano, criollo, corojo, etc all taste different. I think the familiar "maduro" flavors most people think of are the taste of broadleaf.

I understand. But the Diesel UHC and the Undercrown both have maduro wrappers (wrapper leaves that have gone through the maduro process). Yet neither of them are representative of the typically described maduro flavors (at least in my opinion). So maybe my question could be summed up as: "If a cigar has a maduro wrapper, does that alone make it a maduro?"

[HIM]

I understand. But the Diesel UHC and the Undercrown both have maduro wrappers (wrapper leaves that have gone through the maduro process). Yet neither of them are representative of the typically described maduro flavors (at least in my opinion). So maybe my question could be summed up as: "If a cigar has a maduro wrapper, does that alone make it a maduro?"

Yes. What makes a maduro a maduro is the processing of the wrapper. The flavors are going to vary depending on what type of tobacco it is and what tobaccos are used in the rest of the blend. I think the idea of "maduro flavors" is sort of a misunderstanding of how blending works IMO. You can get the sweet mocha and spice characteristics of a maduro in a natural wrapped cigar. I also think a lot of people associate the taste of broadleaf as "maduro flavors" which isn't fully accurate.
Lol am I making sense here?

[NeverBend]

Yes. What makes a maduro a maduro is the processing of the wrapper. The flavors are going to vary depending on what type of tobacco it is and what tobaccos are used in the rest of the blend. I think the idea of "maduro flavors" is sort of a misunderstanding of how blending works IMO. You can get the sweet mocha and spice characteristics of a maduro in a natural wrapped cigar. I also think a lot of people associate the taste of broadleaf as "maduro flavors" which isn't fully accurate.
Lol am I making sense here?

Lots of sense.

Making a meaningful definition for maduro wrappers is difficult and so would be identifying the quintessential maduro cigar. Suffice it to say that genuine maduro leaf is processed to be that way and despite the color, that can range from mottled brown to near black (when it's really oscuro), it tends, in an of itself, to be mild although it can add significant body.

...Do not buy into the hype that darker wrappers are stronger or heavier in the nicotine department. That has little basis in reality...
I would stay away from the 5 Vegas Gold maduro. Those damn things are fire retardent. The 5 Vegas A is a good smoke though.

I agree re: 5-Vegas Gold maduro, artificially processed but the A series are much better.

[HIM]

Try the Kristoff Ligero Maduro. Med-full bodied, medium strength, and absolutely tons of creamy mocha notes. I also agree on the Tat Reserva or Padron suggestion, even the x000 line is great in maduro.

[rodwha]

Never thought of that. To me that's been what an old ale or barleywine was about, though a stout or porter did well too.

[Zeede]

Try the Brickhouse Maduros. The Mighty Mighty vitola is a pretty long smoke, and I know you've been looking for longer smokes.

[Billb1960]

The most important thing with maduros is that you pronounce it correctly. It's not ma-der-o, it's mah-DOO-ro. And don't forget to roll that R!