So… honesty time. It’s been a while since I’ve smoked a newly released cigar that’s impressed me. I can’t remember a stretch of months this consecutive where everything that showed up in the TNCC mailbox was so ho hum, so boring. While there’s been some eye-catching presentations and many MANY mouthwatering backstories, the cigars I’ve smoked over the summer have been far from memorable. So much so that I was beginning to think that perhaps yours truly, the only common factor in this equation, was the problem. What the hell was wrong with me and how could I fix it? And then one afternoon recently, just when I was considering hanging up my Expert Cigar Reviewer jacket and applying for a bartending job at my local Applebee’s, we received the 10th anniversary stick from Black Label Trading Company and everything changed…
THE CIGAR – LA MADONNA NEGRA by BLACK LABEL TRADING COMPANY
Size: 4 1/2 x 48 (Rothschild)
Wrapper: Connecticut broadleaf
Binder: Ecuadorian habano
Filler: Nicaragua & Pennsylvania
Factory: Fábrica Oveja Negra (Estelí, Nicaragua)
Price: $11.00 (while these samples were submitted for review, FamousSmokeShop.com currently has all 3 sizes in stock and on sale, use promo code TNCC20 for $20 off your order!)
Upon sliding the Madonna Negra from its cello sleeve, distinct aromas of lightly roasted coffee, new leather, and sweet raisins directly off the foot are detected. In my expert opinion, nobody is consistently knocking their band/box art out of the park on a consistent basis like Black Label Trading Company – and the gorgeous graphic that James Brown has devised for the band on this cigar is right up there with his best work. After a quick clip of the cap, the cold draw reveals hints of green tea, leather, dry hay, and must.
1/2
Body: medium/full
Strength: medium/strong
I torch the foot of the Madonna Negra and I’m immediately greeted by a crisp pepper spice backed by some mustiness through the nose. Once I’m acclimated to the spice, notes of French roast coffee and gentle underlying oak present themselves via the draw. Smoke production is copious with white swirling clouds pouring from both the head and foot after each puff.
The unique combination of pepper and must on the retrohale is working extremely well here early on and, as the smoking experience continues, that tandem only becomes more refined and pronounced. The draw has become primarily coffee forward with the oaky element gradually receding. As La Madonna Negra slowly approaches the fifty yard line, a Nica mineral component begins to arise beneath the roasted coffee flavor.
All the flavors are balancing out expertly in the first half with power and nuance delicately existing together in rare harmony. At least in comparison to the majority of sticks I’ve smoked lately…
2/2
Body: full
Strength: strong
The overall construction of the Madonna Negra has been excellent with a smooth draw and straight burn line. No maintenance required at any point. You will have to thump the solid ash off with some force as it doesn’t want to fall by its own volition. The strength of the pepper spice is increasing here in the second half, it’s bold and growing ballsier by the minute.
Somehow the must note and a suddenly developing butter cream icing flavor are keeping the spice’s power in check. The balance achieved in this retrohale is admirable and impossible not to appreciate. If you’re not blowing smoke out your nose while smoking the Madonna Negra you are absolutely missing out and I pity you much like I do those ignorant fools who don’t dip their pizza in ranch.
But that’s enough about the nose candy, the draw continues to hold its own with the roasted coffee and mineral notes maintaining the rhythm like Geddy Lee and Neal Peart on their best days. Ok, yes, those dudes only had best days…
THE NUB
TNCC FINAL GRADE = 93
Not to beat a dead horse here, but when you smoke enough boring (and sometimes just plain bad) cigars you really stand up and take notice of the good ones. I’m happy to proclaim that La Madonna Negra is one of the good ones. Strength, balance, easily discernible flavors that transition in a favorable sequence from start to finish over the course of an hour… 10 years in the cigar business is a major achievement and La Madonna Negra does this special occasion the justice it deserves. So get your ass up and go grab a handful of these tasty lil’ motherfuckers before they’re gone. It’s a limited release so you’ve been warned.GO!
If you know, you know…
