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Maduro Throw Down: 5 Original and Maduro Matches

Maduro Throw Down: 5 Original and Maduro Matches

Following up a popular release with a maduro sequel has recently become one of the most popular and anticipated things in the cigar industry.  And why not?  You can double down your portfolio with new flavors and give the people what they want with less marketing costs. 

Or can you? 

We want to know what you think!  Today we’re looking at five recent maduro combos and running a contest for your candid thoughts.  If you haven’t smoked these yet, there’s a sampler at the bottom of this post to compare and contrast. 

To enter, just comment with your preference of the original or maduro version of the following cigars.  We’ll pick a random comment to win a $75 gift card on February 1st by noon EST.  This should give everyone plenty of time to get your smoke on and make an informed decision. 

Click here to learn more about the maduro process.

Foundation’s El Gueguense vs The Wise Man Maduro

Our first challenger proves that there’s more than one way to release a maduro companion to a popular cigar.  Rather than swap the wrapper and call it a day, Nick Melillo opted to change the blend altogether.  Changing the name to The Wise Man Maduro helps with pronunciation as well, but ultimately it symbolizes that it’s a stand alone cigar.  The Wise Man Maduro has recently received several awards from different 2017 Top 10 lists.

Foundation Cigars El Gueguense versus The Wise Man Maduro

Original Wrapper: Nicaraguan Corojo ‘99

Maduro Wrapper: Mexican San Andres

HVC’s Cerro vs Cerro Maduro

Reinier Lorenzo recently said this in a Small Batch interview: “My challenge is to achieve that old Cuban profile smoke in each cigar. Always inspired by Havana City."  These are big words, but HVC stands by it so much that they’ve named several of their cigars from Reinier’s childhood in Cuba.  But what about a maduro concept since they’re still a rare sight among the Cuban offerings?  That’s what makes this throw down one of the most interesting matches to watch!  

HVC Cerro versus Cerro Maduro

Original Wrapper: Nicaraguan Corojo ‘99

Maduro Wrapper: Mexican San Andres

My Father Flor de las Antillas vs Flor de las Antillas Maduro

Don Pepin Garcia is on a very short list of world-renowned Master Blenders and Master Rollers.  Suffice it to say, when he creates a maduro sequel it pays to pay attention.  Yet until just recently, Flor de las Antillas Maduro was a store exclusive and unreleased to the national market.  Whether or not it beats the original, Don Pepin’s take on a Mexican San Andres wrapper is definitely something you want to smoke and compare. 

My Father Flor de las Antillas vs FLor de las Antillas Maduro

Original Wrapper: Nicaraguan Sun Grown

Maduro Wrapper: Mexican San Andres

Crowned Heads’ Four Kicks vs Four Kicks Maduro

Four Kicks was the first cigar line released by Jon Huber when he founded Crowned Heads after leaving CAO.  Fans of the Four Kicks originally got a feel for a maduro counterpart with the Four Kicks Black Belt  Buckle, a store exclusive using a Connecticut Broadleaf maduro wrapper.  This nationally released follow up to the original uses a Connecticut Habano wrapper to form a completely different impression. 

Crowned Heads Four Kicks versus Four Kicks Maduro

Original Wrapper: Ecuadorian Habano

Maduro Wrapper: Connecticut Habano Maduro

AJ’s Last Call vs Last Call Maduro

The maduro process isn’t an exact science, but it is exacting in that it takes careful monitoring and a controlled environment.  And when it comes to guiding the process and speaking tobacco’s language, AJ Fernandez is about as fluent as it gets. The Last Call debuted in 2016 after years of family and friends smoking these secret house cigars (literally from AJ’s house) at the White House adjacent to his factory during football games.  

AJ Fernandez Last Call versus Last Call Maduro

Original Wrapper: Ecuadorian Habano Rosado

Maduro Wrapper: Nicaraguan Broadleaf

In the battle of originals versus maduros, only you can be the judge!  Don’t forget to let us know which you prefer for a chance to win.

 

View our Original and Maduro Sampler

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Comments

1/14/2018 12:31 AM
The original on all of them except the Last Call
1/14/2018 5:22 AM
Unquestionably the Maduro.  The Four Kicks Mad is my most recent and I already have another 5 pack sitting in my SBC cart.
1/14/2018 6:44 AM
Honestly, it depends on what I'm drinking with it. If I have water, the natural wrapper is good. If it's beer or whisky, the maduro fits in nicely for that. I'm also a huge nicaraguan fan and 3 of the 5 naturals are that. But I'd have to pick maduro as my go to and my current most count in my tupper.
1/14/2018 7:44 AM
I have to go with the El Güegüense natural over the Wise Man maduro.  At least for now until the Maduros have some aging time.  Of the others - AJ Last Call Maduro, FDLA Maduro, Four Kicks Natural over Maduro (especially the Mule Kick).  HVC Cerro Maduro has better flavors overall too.
1/14/2018 7:53 AM
Zero doubt (for my tastes) the Maduro versions!!

I’ve been burning through the Four Kicks Maduro at a frantic pace recently, and ready to try out the Wise Man Maduro next!
1/14/2018 7:55 AM
I love Maduro. But as far as follow up a go, I'm not a fan. With The Wise Man the entire blend is different, therefore its not the same cigar. It carries the same name, but they're both entirely different. Both are excellent, don't get me wrong, but they shouldn't be named the same. As far as other releases that just throw a maduro wrapper on the same blend, it doesn't always work. To me it seems lazy. Let them stand alone. Just my humble opinion.
1/14/2018 4:50 PM
Of these blends, I prefer the maduro for just about all but still enjoy the natural on most of them too. I'm a "stout all day every day" beer drinker so my preference for maduro is probably because I'm partial to the deeper, richer flavors of earth, chocolate, and malts that maduros tend to offer more of. The natural blends go great with coffee and the newspaper though!
1/14/2018 8:38 PM
I didn't think it possible to enjoy the FDLA Maduro more than the excellent original, but I may have done just that. I don't know if perhaps it's that I've had so many of the original it's become a bit boring for me, or if the Maduro is just really that good!
1/15/2018 5:56 AM
I'd have to say i'm a fan of all of these cigars. Id have to agree with some previous comments and it depending on what you are drinking at the time. I tend to like a darker wrapped cigar, so I would go to the maduro's as my first choice.. EXCEPT the last call natural is way better in the flavor department than the maduro. I'd also have to say if you like the four kick maduro, you should try the Mule Kick or Black Belt Buckle. Great smokes
1/15/2018 12:30 PM
The hvc was a tough call, but the Mexican San Andreas wrapper won it over for me, maduro all the way. I love the foundation and FDLA Maduro, far superior to the original in my mind. The original four kicks is definitely one of my favorite medium bodied cigars out there, and way better than the Maduro. And the last call was 50-50 for me, maybe a slight lean to the original.
1/17/2018 8:30 AM
The original FDLA wins hands down over the Maduro. I’ve always had a special place for the original, as it was one of the first cigars I smoked.  Always solid, morning or night
1/17/2018 4:54 PM
Maduro in all blends. I find the tastes to be “meatier” in all.
1/18/2018 10:56 AM
Each cigar on this list was great! I do tend to gravitate to the Maduro's, because my palate said they were more flavorful than the originals. I hope my comments have been helpful and look forward to giving my opinion in the future.
1/18/2018 4:31 PM
Maduros all the way I really like the coffee and bold pepper notes that go along with them
1/19/2018 11:49 AM
I tend to favor the Maduros with the following exception:
AJ's Last Call
Don't get me wrong.. The Maduro version is so smooth
but there is just something about that Habano Rosado
wrapper.  From the very first light, it is just so toasty and
the goodness is a 'plenty :).
1/19/2018 5:58 PM
Had you asked me a few years ago, I would have said "Maduro" without hesitation. But I must admit that as my palate becomes more refined, I find myself preferring the original. As in light roasted coffee and German pilsner, there is nuance and complexity that may be harder to detect but is well worth the time and energy in getting there. Original for me.
1/19/2018 8:37 PM
Foundation El Gueguense original
HVC Cerro original
Flor de las Antillas maduro
Crowned Heads Four Kicks maduro
AJ Fernandez Last Call original

Keep 'em toasted. CHEERS. kkh
1/19/2018 8:45 PM
@Brent.  As far as the two Foundation cigars here, you stated "..but they shouldn't be named the same..."  Well, they aren't named the same. One is El Gueguense and the other is The Wise Man. Two distinctly different names!
:)   CHEERS
1/20/2018 4:47 PM
Of these I've had I prefer original Flor de las Antilles over the Maduro, El GUEGUENSE over the wise man, and four kicks Maduro over the natural.
1/23/2018 12:54 AM
Maduro for sure
1/23/2018 3:29 AM
Great write up!

I have come to love maduros over the past few months. I used to pass them up regularly, but now it seems that I get more rich chocolate and coffee notes from these darker wrappers. The Dapper Cubo Maduro is probably my #1 cigar right now! (So good that I think it should be added to a maduro vs natural sampler volume 2!)
1/26/2018 4:08 AM
Maduro is always a go to for me.
1/30/2018 2:53 PM
As much much as I like maduros, I was surprised that the naturals in this sampler were neck and neck with the darker wrappers.  The Foundation cigars were the only ones I had smoked before and the one I liked the natural over the maduro. The rest I slightly preferred the maduros. Thanks SBC for another great sampler!
1/31/2018 7:01 AM
I prefer each of these in natural.  The Last Call may seem like an outlier but it can easily hold its own in that lineup.
1/31/2018 7:41 AM
I definitely like the Maduro  better on all the Sticks with the Wise Man as my favorite. Each stage of the cigar burst with flavor!