Smoked: Crux Epicure

Smoked at: West Chester, Ohio

Crux Epicure Maduro Corona Gorda features a dark brown Mexican San Andres wrapper a few veins, an oily sheen and smooth to the touch. This is a Nicaraguan puro by all accounts.

Oak, hickory, cream, lots of pepper, dark coffee/espresso, chocolate, hints of leather and mixed nuts. Now the transitions: By the second third, the coffee and chocolate meld into a part mocha, part cappuccino taste. Occasional mineral and floral notes add to the assembly and cedar creeps in replacing the hickory wood flavors as well. Extremely peppery on the retrohale. The Crux is full body with rich flavors from the start and transitions quite well – balanced and complex enough to keep your interest to the nub.

High marks for construction: cool open draw, plenty of smoke and the ash held to 2 inches. The burn line was impeccable.

The Crux Epicure Maduro was a nice boutique find. It was recommended by some friends and on a number of blogs. If you can find it, you won’t be disappointed.