Selected by Cigar Aficionado as the 2012 #23 Cigar Of The Year – Rated 91
In an increasingly divided world, where the defenders of mild cigars trumpet subtle and sophisticated complexities to fend off the next onslaught of the “strongest ever” claims heralded by the champions of powerful stogies, sticks like the Top-25 rated Macanudo Cru Royale cigar stand astride the middle ground in relative comfort and quiet. Reaching out to smokers who prefer bold, modern flavors without a head-buzz, legendary General Cigar blender Benji Menendez marshaled a mix of tobaccos from the Dominican, Brazil, and Nicaragua into a proprietary “La Vega Especial” binder from the D.R. and placed it all under the influence of an Ecuadorian Habano wrapper.
A crest and shield proudly accompany the frontmark on the band in regal silver and blue, yet the aesthetic appeal of the Cru Royale does not stop there with a dark, oily appearance and a hefty firmness while the pre-light draw offers a pastoral earthiness. From the start the burn is as sharp as a sword's edge and it remains so through the entire experience, yet the cigar's flavors are much more variable. The cigar begins by yielding cedar and coffee notes, which fade slightly once the cigar gets going and the earthiness noticed during the cold draw makes a grand reappearance. Some sweetness and some spice ride in and out on the blasts of smoke, and the finish is long and clean.
Classy yet approachable, the Macanudo Cru Royale can be enjoyed by most smokers, especially those who enjoy cigars like the medium-bodied 5 Vegas Classics or Joya de Nicaragua Celebracion.
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