In part one of our series on thick ring gauge smokes we’ll take a close look at a cigar that attempts to fully exploit the blending possibilities of the larger format- the Alec Bradley Maxx “CulTure”. At 54×6.5″, this cigar is thick enough to be out of the realm of the traditional Cuban sizes, but not so monstrously thick as to be an unsmokeable novelty. It’s filler blend consists of tobacco from Colombia, Nicaragua, Mexico, and Honduras. A Costa Rican binder and Nicaraguan-Habano wrapper make this a truly cosmopolitan smoke. Let’s kick the tires and light the fires.
Appearance: Visually, this cigar looks to be of excellent construction. It’s dark, leather-brown wrapper is perfectly applied and is free of blemishes.
Pre-light Draw: The flavors imparted by a cursory pre-light draw were subtle to say the least. Some very slight almond notes were present in the surprisingly bland, yet perfectly agreeable draw.
First Third: The opening notes of this cigar seemed to promise a roller-coaster ride of complex flavors. Silky smooth, creamy smoke carried with it milk-chocolate flavors and a complimentary aroma of roasting coffee beans. As we approached the second third, the mild cocoa flavors evolved into rich dark chocolate.
Second Third: What had, up until now, been a fairly mild smoke became bold and powerful in this middle portion. The ash remains firmly attached at a staggering two inches; truly a testament to the richness of the soil the varied tobaccos were grown in. Dark chocolate continued to prevail in the ample smoke as we headed for home-plate with the Maxx.
Final Third: This last portion saw a return to the mild character that predominated in the opening puffs. A strong chocolate influence remained right up until the end. Good almost to the last drop and very nearly nubbed.
Overall Impression: This is an excellent, high-quality cigar with some very good and distinct flavors. It is light enough in power to please lovers of more mild smokes but has enough power to hold the attention of full-flavor veterans. Was this the masterwork of blending complexity that only a large format could allow? Frankly, no. Based on the impressive pedigree of filler tobaccos, we were hoping for a veritable smörgåsbord of flavors and nuances. We didn’t get that. What we did get was a fantastic cigar of excellent construction and a perfect burn- an absolute pleasure to smoke. We may just have to revisit the Maxx line in the future.
-AnejoMofo
