When 18th century poet William Cowper wrote, ‘Variety is the very spice of life that gives it all its flavor,’ he probably wasn’t writing about cigars.
But he could have been.
The unique flavor profile of a cigar brand is achieved by blending a variety of tobacco origins, wrappers, binders and fillers to make something fresh and undiscovered.
And for many cigar enthusiasts, the joy of the journey is found in experiencing these new flavors.
That’s why Buddy Williams of M.A.’s Smoke House enjoys bringing new cigars to its stores in Shreveport and Bossier City. “Our customers enjoy trying new cigars,” he says. “In fact, we just received 10 new cigars blends we found at the recent IPCPR trade show in Las Vegas, Nevada.”
Here’s the scoop on three of the new blends: the Macanudo Inspirado Red, the Hoya La Amistad and the Punch Nicaragua, and why you should try them.
Macanudo Inspirado Red
Origin: Nicaragua
Wrapper: Ecuadoran Habano
Binder: Nicaraguan (Jalapa)
Filler: Honduran (Jamastran), Nicaraguan (Esteli, Ometepe)
While most Macanudo blends are made for the everyday cigar smoker, the Inspirado line is for the true aficiondo – someone who enjoys a complex and delicious feast of flavors such as dark fruit, red pepper and hints of cedar and leather.
Macanudo celebrated its 50 anniversary by creating the Inspirado Red, a new addition to its Inspirado Line.
Manufactured at the Esteli factory, the Red is wrapped in Ecuadoran Habano, bound with Nicaraguan Jalapa and features a trifecta of rare, aged tobaccos including 12-year-old Nicaraguan Ometepe, 10-year-old Honduran Jamastran and five-year-old Nicaraguan Esteli.
These elements combine to make a cigar with a bold, full-bodied flavor with notes of pepper and spice – a flavor profile not soon to be forgotten.
Hoya La Amistad by AJ Fernandez
Origin: Nicaragua
Wrapper: Ecuador Habano
Binder: Nicaraguan
Filler: Nicaraguan
Cigar maker and tobacco grower AJ Fernandez came full circle when he created the Hoya La Amistad for General Cigar.
Raised near the Hoyo de Monterrey farm, developing the Hoya was a labor of love for Fernandez as it brought him back to his roots. “When it came time to develop this blend, I put my heart and soul into it,” he said. This cigar represents the best of me and my factory and I am proud to be a part of this collaboration.”
Wrapped in Ecuadoran Habano, the filler is comprised of the finest blends of tobacco from all four major growing regions in Nicaragua.
The result is a full-bodied stick with notes of leather, cocoa powder and fruit, ending with a walnut finish.
Punch Nicaragua
Origin: Nicaragua
Wrapper: Connecticut Broadleaf
Binder: Nicaraguan
Filler: Nicaraguan
Punch, a respected Cuban cigar company dating back to the 19th century, enjoys a reputation for delivering on their promises. They do not disappoint with the Punch Gran Puro Nicaragua, the Nicaraguan version of the Honduran Gran Puro.
The cigar gets its full-bodied profile from robust Nicaraguan fillers and binder, delivering strong notes of pepper, cedar, and leather. Smokers experience a rich and savory flavor profile thanks to the Connecticut broadleaf wrapper.
One reviewer says, “Punch Nicaragua starts out earthy with heavy mineral notes but becomes sweet with hints of apple, almonds and cedar.”
Interested in trying the Inspirado Red, the Hoya La Amistad, the Punch Nicaragua or one of our other new blends? Stop by our store in Towne Oaks Shopping Center at 855 Pierremont Rd in Shreveport or at 2917 Old Minden Rd in Bossier City and let us help you choose a new cigar to enjoy!