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Review of Macanudo Estate Reserve
Flint Knoll Release No. 3 Cigar

By: Gary Manelski

Macanudo Estate Reserve No. 3 cigars are made in the Dominican Republic with an Ecuadorian Connecticut wrapper, U.S. Broadleaf binder, and a blend of filler tobaccos from Brazil, Dominican Republic, and Nicaragua. The cigar was shipped to retailers during the Fall of 2024, and is available in one Churchill (7 X 52) size that is priced at $19.99 per stick. It is the third and final release in Macanudo's Estate Reserve series. Tobacco used in this cigar was aged in French Oak Cabernet barrels from the Flint Knoll winery in Napa Valley. For more information about these cigars, please see the press release.

The sample Macanudo Estate Reserve No. 3 cigar began with a very smooth and creamy texture and flavor. Right from the beginning, it was one of the smoothest cigars that I have ever puffed. In fact, it was not just smooth but very mellow with some depth, despite being mild-to-medium bodied. Within the first five minutes, a nutty flavor emerged that was soon joined by some woodsy notes. I ashed the cigar for the first time at the 20-minute mark, but the flaky ash held on longer for 30 minutes the second time. Beyond this point, the body moved up just a bit to the lower end of the medium range, and the flavor was becoming mostly cedar with hints of nuts, and less cream. The smoke was still very smooth.

After 80 minutes into the smoking session, I ashed the cigar for the third time when the burn line reached the band. I removed the band and the cigar went out about five minutes thereafter, when a relight was needed with about 2½ inches of the cigar still left. I continued smoking the cigar for another 20 minutes down to 1½ inches remaining, which adds up to a total smoke time of 105 minutes. During that time, the cigar had a very good draw, even burn, and held a mostly long ash. No touch-ups were needed, and only one relight was required during the later part of the smoking session, as previously indicated.

The first hour of the Macanudo Estate Reserve Release No. 3 cigar was simply delightful, and I rate that portion with an excellent 4.5 points on a 5-point scale. The final 45 minutes were also very enjoyable, but the flavor slipped just a tad down to 4.25 points. Overall, this was a superior to excellent cigar worthy of a rating of 4.25 to 4.5 points.

The Macanudo Estate Reserve No. 3 would be an excellent cigar selection to pair with champagne, especially on New Year's Eve or any other special occasion. Although an appropriate choice for all levels of cigar smokers, I believe that the Macanudo Estate Reserve No. 3 is more than smooth, flavorful and enjoyable enough to convince beginners to become regular cigar smokers.


Disclosure: Review samples were provided by the manufacturer.


Macanudo Estate Reserve No. 3 Cigar

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