Recognisable thanks to its very large band, the Macanudo Heritage Nuevo may be regarded as an alternative take to its legendary Café blend.
In this article, you will discover the Macanudo Heritage Nuevo as we review it according to the following considerations:
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Overview
- Brand: Macanudo
- Range: Heritage Nuevo
- Reviewed Vitolas: 6 x 51 Toro
- Wrapper: Ecuadorian Shade Connecticut
- Binder: Mexican San Andrés
- Filler: Dominica Republic, Nicaragua
- Factory: General Cigars, Dominican Republic
- Handmade: Yes
- Body: Mild
- Estimated Smoking Time: 60 – 70 Minutes
- Pricing: $12 / Single [Buy Now]
As mentioned above, the Heritage Nuevo is a take on the Macanudo Café. However, rather than using an American Connecticut Valley wrapper, it features an Ecuadorian Shade Connecticut wrapper. The binder and filler are otherwise quite similar save for additional Nicaraguan tobacco.
Macanudo Heritage Nuevo Look & Feel
- Wrapper Hue: Cinnamon
- Rolling Consistency: Mostly Straight
- Spring: Firm
- Aromas: Straw, Caramel, Barnyard
The first thing that you’ll notice is how the cigar is covered by a large band that depicts a map of Ecuador. I’ll explore this detail further later in this review. For now, I’ll remove it and focus on the cigar itself.
It has an overall cinnamon hue with a generally straight roll and firm spring with some visible yet refined veins. Its foot reveals notes of straw, caramel, and barnyard.
Macanudo Heritage Nuevo Review
Although we typically use a Boveda acrylic humidor, I’m currently travelling. Therefore, the Macanudo Heritage Nuevo box was stored in a large Boveda bag, which offers a similar environment thanks to its double-laminated seal. Additionally, three cigars were smoked for the purposes of this review.
Pre-Lighting Experience
- Draw: Ideal
- Aromas: Date, Fig, Straw
On the dry draw, the Heritage Nuevo offers a pleasant airflow. Meanwhile, its flavours a nice with notes of fig, a hint of cedar as well as straw. There’s also a noticeable dried fruit sweetness that can be likened to either raisin or date.
1st Third Smoking Experience
- Notes: Cedar, Cream, Grass
- Retrohale: Citrus
It is worth noting that this cigar does take a few minutes for its flavors to really kick in. Off the bat, I get a kind of charred and toasted flavor without too many of its upcoming nuances. Once into it, it reveals some creaminess.
Also, it features a distinctively cedar taste as well as maybe a hint of grass. And on the retrohale, which I think is the most enjoyable part of this cigar, especially in the first third, is citrus on the retrohale as well.
2nd Third Smoking Experience
- Notes: Cedar, Cream, Almond
- Retrohale: Lemon
The flavor profile has slightly evolved as we’re now into the second third. I’m still getting the creaminess as well as the cedar. I’ve lost that slight note of grass, but I’ve also picked up a touch of nuttiness, maybe reminiscent of almond. The retrohale is still very nice, almost approaching now kind of lemon citrus which, again, is one of my favourite parts about this cigar.
Final Third Smoking Experience
- Notes: Cedar, Cream, Toast
- Retrohale: Lemon
I’m still getting those cedar and creamy notes in this cigar, but as I’ve smoked several of these now, I’ve got a pretty good understanding of what’s going to happen from here all the way down to the nub. It’s still producing a nice citrus retrohale. Towards the nub, you’re going to get some more toasty char flavors.
It’s definitely worth noting that this is a cigar that you do not want to over smoke as you will get char the whole way down. Therefore, pick the right sized vitola, take your time, and really enjoy the light nuanced flavors that this cigar has to offer.
Overall Burn
- Ash Quality: Strong
- Burn Angle: Mostly Straight
- Temperature: Cool
- Draw: Ideal
- Final Smoking Time: 65 Minutes
Every cigar I’ve had from this range has had fantastic draws, so no issues there. The burn line is generally good but it can sometimes get a little wavy. However, it tends to correct itself and the ash often produces an excellent backbone.
The temperature of the smoke is fantastic. It doesn’t have a huge smoke output nor does it produce a thick or lingering mouthfeel. However, this is a mild cigar so some people may prefer that experience.
Overall Experience
The Heritage Nuevo has a nice presentation box. The wood has been painted yellow with a nice map of Ecuador, which is a nod to where the Connecticut wrapper is grown. You’d also note that since this a somewhat boutique release, it’s numbered. For instance, this is box 1,088 of 2,300 of the 2019 release. This is actually my fourth box of the series.
When you open the box, you’re presented with a 10 count cigar. the lid of the box displays a little bit of information about the leaf and what Macanudo is trying to do with this blend.
One thing to note is that, when you do open the box, you do get a nice hit of cedar. I do believe that this is a solid word construction box and is using a very nice aromatic wood for that. Other nice touches on this box include the custom Macanudo hinges, which I always think is good, as well as a magnetic clasp.
As a mild cigar, this is ideal for either the morning or potentially for a beginner if you’re not yet ready to try anything that’s too heavy. I have seen some reviews where people complain about how light and nuanced the flavor is. However, I particularly enjoy this cigar in the morning for myself.
Macanudo Heritage Nuevo Pairings Recommendations
Since this is a light cigar, I’ll typically enjoy it in the morning. Therefore, it will usually accompany a cup of tea or a latte. However, I may instead opt for water so that the cigar is enjoyed unimpeded so I can focus on things like the citrus retrohale.
Again, be mindful of what you’re getting with this cigar. It’s mild, maybe mild plus, so just make sure you’re pairing it for the right audience and the right time of day for that as well. With regards to the occasion, I think this runs the gamut.
I think the presentation is fantastic, so it can be used in a more formal setting for people that are maybe new to cigars that don’t want such a heavy blend. As well as, because of the price point, you can maybe pair it down like I do for a morning cigar as well.
Closing Thoughts
This cigar is definitely one that’s going to stay with my humidor. I probably will pick up a couple of additional boxes. It does come in two additional vitolas to this, which is the Robusto size, which is a 5 x 50, as well as a Churchill, which is 7 x 50.
Overall, this is a very pleasant, mild cigar that will be great for the morning. It’s also a great introduction to someone who’s maybe getting into cigars that maybe isn’t used to characterful flavours. It’s a great opportunity to test your palate and discover its mild evolutions as they happen.
"A pleasant and aromatic cigar that's ideal for both beginners and those who enjoy a contemplative smoke in the morning."
Further Reading
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