Xikar is known for their high-quality cigar accessories, but not many smokers know Xikar for the quality smokes they've been putting out. Their accessories are flashy yet minimalist; stylish and of quality. If you've been in any B&M worth their salt then you've seen a wide array of cutters, lighters, ashtrays and the list goes on. If its cigar related, Xikar's got it covered. So it was only a matter of time before the company took a stab at making their own cigars.
When Xikar got into the cigar game they did so with conviction and the desire to do it right. They enlisted the cigar acumen and expertise of blend master Jesus Fuego, owner of J. Fuego cigars and a former pupil and professor at Cuba's heralded Pinar Del Rio University. PDRU is a college where one can major in various tobacco related studies. Mr. Fuego knows his stuff and is gaining more respect in the industry with each passing year.
Since Xikar launched their own cigars they've received 10 90+ point reviews in various publications. I'm not sure to what extent, if any, Mr. Fuego was involved with this particular cigar but his legacy and style is in this cigar somewhere.
Today's Cigar
The XC Maduro is the newest addition to Xikar's cigar line up. I'm smoking the robusto vitola; standard sizing, 5" by 50 ring gauge. The robusto is the 'go-to', 'run of the mill' size these days and frankly, the XC Maduro has a standard cigar look. The cigar has some weight to it, I mean it really feels dense and hefty in hand. It is well-made, feeling firm throughout with no soft or empty spots. It has just the right amount of that spongy feel to show you its fresh.
Xikar doesn't make shit cigars. Bundled this cigar runs 2-3$, which is an amazing value; so I'm curious to see what this is all about. The fact its bundled contributes greatly to its low cost. Boxing and presentation are a costly part of cigar production.
The Wrapper
Not particularly dark for being a maduro, the wrapper has some noticeable natural oil; but what really catches my attention is the attractive toothiness of the cigar. For those not in the know, toothy refers to the bump, rugged look of a cigar. Toothy is a good thing. A cigar with too much tooth probably has something wrong with it; one with none is probably a Philly blunt.
The wrapper leaf has a marbled look to its coloring which looks nice. I'd call this one of those colorado wrappers with respect to hue. (Not to be confused, as Xikar makes a Colorado - to clarify, we are reviewing the XC Maduro)
According to Cigars Intl, the XC Maduro uses a habano oscuro grown in Connecticut. Oscuro's are usually the blackest leaves you can find. I suspect that the fact this is a habano-seed leaf (cuban wrappers are known for being lighter in hue - in the middle of the spectrum so to say), grown in Connecticut attributes to its rather light color. Don't get me wrong; this is not a light colored wrapper when compared to a shade wrapper, but this is not your normal oscuro. I've seen oscuros that are basically black; so this is light in color when compared to other maduros.
Connecticut is known for two things when it comes to tobacco. One is Connecticut-shade wrappers. These are highly sought after for mild cigars. They are thin, pliable leaves with an extremely mild, creamy profile. Second is the hottest leaf on the market, the Connecticut Broadleaf wrapper. On the opposite end of its shade brethren, the broadleaf ranges from medium to dark brown and is known for its flavorful and full bodied taste.
Filler
The XC Maduro is a blend of Nicaraguan and Dominican long filler. The Nicaraguan for strength, spice and some sweetness, the Dominican for a smooth a creamy smoke (my opinion).
Smoking this Cigar.....Next Page
