Casa De Oro - CT Broadleaf Maduro

These 'House of Gold' beauties are produced at the Tabacalera Fernandez factory in Esteli, Nicaragua, home to many well-respected cigar brands. The vision behind the blend was admirable: to produce a cigar of superior quality, taste and appearance at a modest price. After two years of experimenting with blending to get it right, Casa de Oro was introduced at the RTDA (Retail Tobacco Dealers of America) trade show in the summer of 2006. Our panel members confirm they got it right—"affordable luxury" is no longer an oxymoron. Casa de Oro is available in two shapes, Torpedo and Toro, both 6 x 52. Each is ensconced in either a Connecticut shade or Broadleaf Maduro. While both are quite tasty (not to mention eye-catching), our panel especially enjoyed the dark, rich, oily Maduro torpedo so it's the one we're featuring this month. The wrapper is not only attractive, it's been painstakingly aged for three years. This gorgeous exterior is bound to the complex blend of Nicaraguan Viso, Ligero and Seco filler leaves by a mild Indonesian binder. This medium-bodied cigar produces a booming volume of smoke. The flavor profile begins with mild spiciness but as you get past the first inch, it builds toward peppery qualities that are mellowed by a leathery smoothness that takes hold near the finish. The firm, brilliant white ash is a clear sign of properly aged tobaccos. Try with a very hoppy, west-coast style India Pale Ale.