Boutique Wednesday Cigar Review: Marco V Grand Reserve

Posted by toasted on Mar 24, 2010 in Reviews | 4 comments

Size: 5×60, V. Gigante

Wrapper: Arapiraca, Brazilian Maduro

Binder: De Olor, Dominican

Filler: Nicaraguan Ligero, Dominicano de Olor, Piloto Cubano Republic

Strength: Medium/Full

Price: Box of 20, $120

Grade: 8.8

This is our second go-round with the Gigante series from Marco V cigars. We reviewed the Bronze Label a while back and included some information about the line and the company, so hop on over if you’d like (review). We also posted a press release in January with some information on their 2010 plans, which includes a line of Port, a chiseled head option, and other great stuff– be sure to check it out (release).

Today we are reviewing the Grand Reserve, which is now available with a chiseled head if the 60 ring gauge is too obtrusive for you. This is another guest review from Chris.

Now, let’s toast this foot!

Pre-light, 1.7:
The Grand Reserve bore a very nice, dark, and oily wrapper with minimal veins and a double cap. There were a few seed spots throughout but nothing to detract from the overall appearance. On the cold draw, it pulled very well and threw sharp pepper on the back of the throat, with some earthy notes in the background. This was a nice looking stick with an unusual size.

Burn, 1.8:
The super fat Marco V was a slow burner with a great ash and a very even burn throughout. There were no touch-ups or re-lights required and it was easy to sit back and relax during the burn. The smoke emitted was very thick and the pull was medium. The cigar never burned hot and I took it to the nub. The only detraction was the difficulty of producing a good draw out of the fat gauge.

Flavor, 2.6:
There was not a ton of complexity with this cigar, but it was fairly consistent. The flavor on the first third was full of pepper in the back of the throat with some oaky moments. The pepper mellowed into the second third and the middle portion was all earth and was very smooth – there were no moments of harshness during the smoke. The final third returned some of the pepper from earlier with contained notes of wood.

Overall, 2.7:
I really enjoyed the Grand Reserve and I would consider buying this stick in the future. The flavor profile was pleasing, the burn was solid, and the appearance was spot on; though I can see how the large ring gauge could bother some, it had no effect on my enjoyment. This was a fairly full-bodied stick so I’d recommend having a bite to eat beforehand.

(Total: 8.8)

Question of the Day: What is your preferred ring gauge?