Background

Recently, I reviewed the Ecuadorian Connecticut Shade wrapped edition of the the My Father Le Bijou 1922 Federal 91st Cervantes which is an exclusive release for Federal Cigars in New Hampshire. If you have not had a chance to read my assessment of that stick, I recommend you check it out here when you have a chance. Since I enjoyed that cigar immensely, it seemed only fitting to also review the Broadleaf Maduro version too. Like the Connecticut Shade, the Maduro is also a 6.5 x 42 Lonsdale and limited (200 boxes of 23). Unlike the Connecticut Shade the Maduro is available for online purchase and there are still boxes in stock. So without further delay, let’s get to burning!

Stogie Stats

Origin: Nicaragua
Wrapper: Connecticut Broadleaf Maduro
Binder: Nicaraguan
Filler: Nicaraguan
Strength: Medium
Vitola: Lonsdale
Size: 6.5 x 42
Age: N/A
MSRP: $8.00 (Boxes of 23, $184.00)

Review

Much like the Connecticut Shade, the Maduro’s construction is flawless. The wrapper is a dark chocolate colored and as a fair amount of veins. It is a great example of the ruggedness of broadleaf. There are no apparent soft spots and the pre-light aroma and draw is earthy with a hint a raisin sweetness.

I decide not to toast the foot and dive straight in. The cigar opens with a perfect draw and ample amounts of chewy smoke. Unlike the Connecticut Shade I am not initially blasted by pepper. Rather, this cigar seems to find it’s groove immediately and opens with a balanced, smooth profile of earth, pepper, and cocoa. About a half inch in, I can detect some hints of dried fruit and nuts in the background. Very nice indeed. The burn is wavy but the draw continues to be good and the ash is holding for about 1 inch. I am enjoying the chewiness of the cigar but I am wishing the finish is a bit longer than it is. Thus far the strength is a solid medium.

The second third brings the departure of the chewy texture. The same earthy core persists, but I am no longer picking up cocoa and hints of dried fruit but rather more coffee undertones. There is still some occasional pepper but it is even less pronounced. The draw and burn remain the same, as do the flavors into the last third.

During the last third, the flavor profile is uneventful. Earthy tobacco persists but I cannot detect much else. A bit of a disappointing finish to this fine cigar but an enjoyable smoke all the same. No construction issues at all. I fall just short of nubbing this stick in about 75 minutes.

Conclusion

The My Father Le Bijou 1922 Federal 91st Cervantes Maduro is a great medium strength/bodied smoke at a reasonable MSRP. I really loved the flavor profile in the first third and felt that it was during this part of the experience that this cigar really shined. Personally I found the finish to be shorted than I prefer and the last third disappointing in the flavor department, but as a whole this cigar is good. Is it as good as the Shade Grown CT? Hell no! In conclusion, I am going to give the My Father Le Bijou 1922 Federal 91st Cervantes Maduro a Stogie Geeks Rating of “The Fiver” and save my funds for a box or two of the Connecticut Shade.