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Cigar Review: Macanudo Cru Royale Robusto

Size: 5×50, Robusto

Wrapper: Ecuadorian

Binder: Dominican

Filler: Dominican and Nicaraguan

Strength: Medium

Price: Box of 20, $104

Grade: 9.0

Released at the 2010 IPCPR, this brand follows the release of one my favorites, the Macanudo 1968.  Produced by General Cigar and blended by Benji Menendez this cigar is a more full bodied offering from Macanudo which is mostly known for its mild smokes.

Let’s get straight to it!

Pre-light, 1.8:

The Macanudo Cru Royale is great looking smoke with a dark oily wrapper with a few veins here and there.  The cigar is well packed with a nice weight in the palm.  The pre-light aroma is nice with oats and a touch of spice at the foot.  The cold draw produces a nice flavor on the palate and is a bit heavier than I anticipated.  Lastly, the presentation of this smoke is very nice with the blue, silver,black color scheme.  The box that the Cru Royales come in is also very neat.

Burn, 1.8:
All of my samples had excellent draws, burned even, and did not require any touch ups or re-lights.  The robusto produced plenty of smoke and the smoke temperature was pleasant throughout.

Flavor, 2.7:
The cigar has a nice earthy flavor on the initial buff with some cedar in the mix as well.  The cigar opens up into the first third with notes of coffee, earth, and mild spice.  Into the second third the earthiness tends to become a bit more dominant on my palate but the spice and chocolate notes are still in the mix as well.  The last third finds the Cru Royale a touch spicier, especially on the finish.  Speaking of finish, this cigar has a nice medium to medium long finish for the duration of the smoke, one of my favorite characteristics.

Overall, 2.7:
At just under five dollars a stick I would put this as a solid buy.  The cigars are constructed very well and they have a nice flavor with a pleasant finish.  I enjoyed all of my samples, and I have a few more in humidor that I look forward to toasting in the future.

(Total: 9.0)