The Casa Magna Oscuro cigar shows lightning can strike twice when two of the greatest men in the tobacco business join forces to rain down succulent and powerful enjoyment onto the masses of flavor-hungry smokers. Following on the success of the original Casa Magna, christened 2008's Cigar of the Year by Cigar Aficionado Magazine, MATASA head Manuel Quesada once again called on Nestor Plascencia's Segovia Cigar Factory to create a smoke of exceptional craftsmanship using a jet-black Honduran Oscuro wrapper to further enhance the lush blend of Nicaraguan and Honduran filler tobaccos.

If you can resist getting it lit a close examination of the cigar yields a funky barnyard aroma emanating from the smooth wrapper, the color so dark it seems to absorb light. The body of the cigar resists all but the firmest of pressure, and the draw once the cigar is aflame works through the dense leaves slow and cool bringing flavors of mild spice and anise. The clouds of smoke build in strength and carry charred oak to the palate, showering vanilla and coffee throughout. In one last feat of cigar-making talent, the finale of the experience is full-bodied while the strength remains a couple of notches above medium to remain accessible to all smokers.

Eat a fine meal, mix up an Old Fashioned using a classic Rye, and sit back with good company while enjoying the Casa Magna Oscuro. An Ortega Serie D Maduro cigar is similar on the lighter end, and a Camacho Triple Maduro is more of the same goodness on the heavy side.