Cusano 18 Paired Maduro

In 1995 business took the owner of a Wall Street investment firm to the Dominican Republic. There the long-time cigar aficionado, Michael Chiusano discovered a local smoke that "knocked his socks off!" He thought he'd have a thousand made for clients but word spread and he soon had orders for 10,000. The rest is Cigar Street–if not Wall Street–history. Thinking "Cusano" would be easier to say than "Chiusano" Michael called his company Cusano Cigars. Like its original counterpart, the Cusano 18 Paired Maduro offers a rich flavor in a medium-bodied smoke. Spawned from its highly rated original Cusano 18 Connecticut counterpart–one of the most successful boutique brands ever launched–the Paired Maduro offers something more. Like the original, the Paired Maduro uses eighteen year old Dominican Oro in the filler but combines (as in "pairs") two exquisite maduro wrappers to make one of the best dark cigars ever crafted. The first wrapper is a Connecticut Broadleaf maduro, famous for being smooth and creamy. The second wrapper, placed in the filler, is Brazilian Mata Fina that adds a bit of spice for the palate. The construction is faultless. Take a whiff and savor the pleasing pre-lit aroma. We found the draw to be clean and steady; the burn slow and even. This silky stogie is smooth but powerful–a cigar loaded with flavor that won't make your head spin in the middle of the day. Expect leathery and smoky flavors with subtle hints of spice and a note of creamy vanilla ending with a long woody finish. Take an hour and enjoy this robusto with your favorite single malt scotch.