Cigar Reviews & Tasting Notes

Tatuaje The Jason Redux 6 Review: I Actually Smoked It I'm Gerard from Mardo Cigars. There's been plenty written about The Jason Redux 6 already: the 2013 JV13 coming back, the Monster Series history, the coffin box, the hockey mask. All true, all fun. None of it tells you what happens when you light one. So I did. This Jason Redux 6 review is what I actually tasted, including the part I liked less. The Jason Redux 6: 7½ × 52, Connecticut Broadleaf, made at My Father Cigars. At a glance What I tasted, up front: Opens with real salted caramel sweetness on the first puffs. Settles fast into anisette and black licorice, which stays dominant throughout. Pepper is smooth and controlled, even on the retrohale. No sting. Honest note: it's fairly one-dimensional after that first transition. At $13 for a 7½ x 52 limited Tatuaje, the value is hard to argue with. The First Puff: Salted Caramel I wasn't expecting this. The very first puff gave me an ample amount of salted caramel. Not a hint of sweetness in the background, but a real, generous salted caramel note right out of the gate. That's a strong opening for any cigar. It's the kind of first impression that makes you sit up and pay attention, and it immediately told me this wasn't going to be a straight-ahead Connecticut Broadleaf bomb. Then It Turns: Anisette and Black Licorice That caramel didn't stay long. Fairly quickly it handed off to something more distinctive: anisette, or black licorice if that's a more familiar reference for you. And once it arrived, it stayed. That licorice character became the dominant flavor of the cigar and carried it from there to the end. It's an unusual note, and whether you love it will depend on whether you like anise at all. I did. It's distinctive enough that you'll remember which cigar it came from, and that counts for something. The Pepper Surprised Me Here's what I liked most about the construction of the flavor. There is pepper in this cigar, but it is smooth. Controlled. It supports the licorice rather than fighting it. And I checked it on the retrohale, which is where pepper usually tells on itself. Nothing sharp. No sting through the nose, no eye-watering moment. For a Nicaraguan-filled cigar under a Broadleaf wrapper, that restraint is a genuine achievement in blending. The Jason Redux 6 at a glance Size 7½ x 52 Wrapper Connecticut Broadleaf Binder & filler Nicaraguan Made at My Father Cigars S.A. · Estelí, Nicaragua Packaging 13-count coffin-style box Production 5,000 boxes — 65,000 cigars MSRP $13 per cigar · $169 per box Being Honest: It's One-Dimensional Now the part I'd want a retailer to tell me, and the reason any honest Jason Redux 6 review has to include it. After that early handoff from caramel to licorice, this cigar does not go on much of a journey. There aren't dramatic thirds. There isn't a second act where something new shows up. What you get in the first inch is largely what you get at the band. If you're someone who chases complexity and lives for transitions, know that going in. But I want to keep it in perspective, because one-dimensional isn't automatically a criticism. A cigar that does one thing and does it well is still a good cigar. The licorice core here is enjoyable and unusual, and I was happy smoking it from start to finish. I just wasn't surprised after the first ten minutes. One Fair Caveat: These Are Very Fresh Important context. The cigars I smoked were extremely fresh, right off the truck. That almost certainly affected the draw and the burn, and I don't want anyone reading this as a permanent construction issue, because it isn't. My advice is simple: dry-box one for a day or two before you light it, or just let the rest sit in your humidor for a few weeks. Fresh cigars often need a moment to settle, and this one will likely reward the patience. For more on that, see our guide on how to age your cigars. Watch: The Jason Redux 6 Review on Video Want to see it rather than read about it? Here's the cigar on video: The Value Is the Real Headline If you came to this Jason Redux 6 review for the short answer, here it is. This is where the cigar wins outright. Thirteen dollars. For a 7½ × 52 Connecticut Broadleaf, rolled at My Father Cigars S.A., from a limited annual Monster Series release capped at 5,000 boxes. Look at what else carries that kind of pedigree and check the price tag. Limited releases from well-known factories regularly ask $18, $20, more. Getting one at $13, in a size that gives you a long smoke, with a collectible coffin box attached, is a lot of cigar for the money. The value alone makes this one worth trying even if licorice isn't normally your thing. Get It Before It's Gone And I mean that literally. Monster Series releases have a long history of selling through their annual allocation fast, and this one is already moving. Our own stock has gone quickly, so check the product page for current availability rather than assuming. TatuajeTatuaje The Jason Redux 6Check availability My Verdict So where does this Jason Redux 6 review land? I recommend it. Not with reservations I'm hiding from you, but with the ones I've just told you: it won't take you on a complex ride, and the fresh ones need a little rest first. What it will give you is a genuinely distinctive salted-caramel-into-licorice profile, pepper that behaves itself, a long 7½-inch smoke, and all of that for thirteen dollars. That's the whole Jason Redux 6 review in one line. Pete Johnson keeps delivering good cigars, and this is another one. Find a few, smoke one now, put the rest away. When the annual Monster allocation dries up, you'll be glad you did. You'll find it alongside our other limited-edition cigars and the rest of our Tatuaje cigars at Mardo. Salted caramel, then licorice. For $13. Only 5,000 boxes of The Jason Redux 6 exist, and Monster releases go fast. Browse Tatuaje at Mardo. Mardo Cigars sells premium tobacco products intended for adults 21 and older. Please enjoy responsibly.

Cavalier Small Batch Salomon: A Pre-Release Review I'm Gerard from Mardo Cigars, and I got to smoke the Cavalier Small Batch Salomon before it reaches shelves. My score: 93 points. That's my own rating from my own experience with the cigar, not a number from any outside publication. Here's what earned it, starting with something you notice before you ever light it. The Cavalier Small Batch Salomon, a 7 × 50 × 54 figurado under a Habano Jamastrán wrapper. At a glance The key facts first: 93 points — Gerard's personal score from a pre-release smoke. Shape and size: Salomon, 7 x 50 x 54. Wrapper Habano Jamastrán, binder Habano Jalapa. Filler: Viso Estelí, Viso Paraguay, Viso Ometepe, Viso Jalapa. Notes Gerard found: light hay, buttery cashew, rich creaminess, crème brûlée. Full body. Start With the Roll: a Salomon Is Hard to Make Before I talk about flavor, I want to talk about craft. A Salomon is one of the toughest shapes a roller can make. It tapers at the head, swells through the body, and closes at the foot. Getting that shape right takes real skill at the bench, and plenty of Salomons come out soft in the middle or too tight at the tip. This one didn't. That's the first reason the Cavalier Small Batch Salomon impressed me. Construction and First Impressions The cigar feels dense and firm in the hand. I rolled it between my fingers looking for soft spots and found none. The wrapper is blemish free, which is not easy on a shape with this much curve to it. So the first impression is strong before you even clip it. Then you light it. The draw was excellent from the very first puff. No tightness, no fighting it. It gave up ample smoke right away, which is exactly what you want on a figurado where the opening is narrow. Dense construction plus an open draw is a hard pairing to get right, and this one nailed it. Cavalier Small Batch Salomon at a glance Shape and size Salomon · 7 x 50 x 54 Wrapper Habano Jamastrán Binder Habano Jalapa Filler Viso Estelí, Viso Paraguay, Viso Ometepe, Viso Jalapa Body Full Gerard's score 93 points (personal rating, pre-release) How It Smokes: What I Tasted Now the good part. The first thing I picked up was light hay, that clean and slightly dry note that tells you the tobacco has been handled well. Under it came buttery cashew, which is the flavor that stuck with me most. Then the creaminess rolled in, and it is rich rather than thin. As the cigar settled, I kept coming back to one word: crème brûlée. There is a toasted sweetness on top of all that cream that reminded me of the cracked sugar on the dessert. If I had to sum the whole profile up in one word, I'd call it Cuban-esque. I want to be clear about what I mean. That's my personal impression of the flavor, nothing more. It is not a statement about where this cigar comes from or what is inside it. The blend and the origin are listed above. This is just how the profile read to my palate. "Light hay, buttery cashew, rich creaminess, and that crème brûlée character. To me it read Cuban-esque, and I mean that purely as a flavor impression."— Gerard, Mardo Cigars Full Body, Start to Finish This is a full-bodied cigar. It has weight and depth to it, and it does not thin out. What I appreciated just as much is how steady it stayed. The flavors I found in the first third were still there in the last third. The burn held, the smoke output held, and the draw never closed up. Consistency like that across a seven-inch figurado is a genuine achievement, and it is a big part of why the Cavalier Small Batch Salomon scored where it did. If you enjoy full-bodied cigars, this one sits comfortably in that camp. Where I Think It Could Still Go Here's my one open question, and I mean it as a compliment. This cigar is already very good right now. I also believe it could become even more refined with additional time in the humidor. That's a hunch based on how the blend carries itself, not something I have tested and not a promise. If you pick some up, my suggestion is simple: smoke one fresh, then put a few away and revisit them later. For more on that, see our guide on how to age your cigars. More Cavalier at Mardo The Cavalier Small Batch Salomon is still pre-release, so there's no pricing or availability to share yet. In the meantime, here's what we carry from Cavalier Genève right now if you want to get to know the house. Shop Cavalier Genève at Mardo Cavalier GeneveCavalier Genève Small Batch Salomon 2026ViewCavalier GeneveCavalier Geneve Regional USA Exclusive RobustoViewCavalier GeneveCavalier Geneve Prospektor Limited Edition RobustoViewCavalier GeneveCavalier Geneve Regional USA Exclusive RobustoViewCavalier GeneveCavalier Geneve Tres Delincuentes Maduro RobustoView The Verdict: 93 Points So why 93? Because the Cavalier Small Batch Salomon does the hard things well. A demanding shape rolled cleanly. Dense construction that still draws beautifully. A full-bodied profile with real character, from light hay and buttery cashew through to that crème brûlée finish. And it holds all of that from light to nub. That's my score and my read on it, based on smoking it myself ahead of release. It's already an impressive cigar, and I think a little more age could sharpen it further. If Cavalier is new to you, our Cavalier Genève collection is a good place to start while we wait for this one. 93 points, and it isn't even out yet. While we wait on the Small Batch Salomon, get to know the house. Cavalier Genève is in stock at Mardo. Mardo Cigars sells premium tobacco products intended for adults 21 and older. Please enjoy responsibly.

The best budget cigars aren't just cheap, they're smart value. I'm Gerard from Mardo Cigars, and I'll show you how to find great everyday smokes for under $10 that punch way above their price. We'll cover what makes a budget cigar worth it, the top value brands, and how to shop smart so your humidor stays full without emptying your wallet. The best budget cigars deliver real flavor and solid construction for under $10. QUICK ANSWER The sweet spot for budget cigars is $5–$8 per stick. Top value brands: Oliva, Rocky Patel, Espinosa, La Flor Dominicana. Buy by the box, try samplers, and look for seconds to save more. Great budget cigars make perfect daily smokes and easy gifts for friends. What Makes a Great Budget Cigar? A great budget cigar isn't just low-priced. It's smart value. You want real flavor, steady construction, and that satisfying ritual, all for under $10. Three things separate the best budget cigars from cheap ones: tobacco quality, blending skill, and consistent rolling. The best value smokes come from established makers who roll their affordable lines to the same standard as their premium ones. You get solid Nicaraguan or Dominican long-filler, a reliable draw, and balanced flavor, just without the rare aged leaves that push ultra-premium prices sky-high. Top Budget-Friendly Brands Worth Your Money Oliva — Nicaraguan Value King Oliva owns its farms and delivers rich, earthy Nicaraguan blends at great prices. Even their entry-level lines show off careful tobacco selection and fermentation. Shop Oliva. Rocky Patel — Smokes Like It Costs Double Rocky Patel has a huge catalog of blends under $10 with bold flavor, reliable construction, and approachable complexity. These are cigars you can smoke daily without guilt. Shop Rocky Patel. Espinosa & La Flor Dominicana — Boutique Value Both bring decades of growing and blending know-how to cigars that respect your budget. Espinosa in particular punches above its price. When you shop for value, these established names rarely miss. What to Expect from Budget Cigars Setting the right expectations helps you enjoy what budget cigars do best. You'll get plenty of flavor, earthy, spicy, woody, and sweet notes are all on the table. Construction should be solid: good draws, even burns, and firm ash. What you usually won't get is ultra-complex flavor changes or rare vintage wrappers. Budget Cigar Realities Flavors lean straightforward and satisfying, not wildly complex. Wrappers may show more veins or color variation, but still smoke beautifully. Consistency is excellent in modern budget lines from established makers. You pay for the tobacco and skill, not fancy bands or ornate boxes. They shine as daily smokes, golf companions, and casual evening sticks. The beauty of budget cigars is versatility. You can stock your humidor deep and smoke freely, which often brings more enjoyment than rationing pricey sticks. For the ultra-cheap end, see our guide to mild cigars for beginners too. Shopping Smart for Value A few habits stretch your budget further: Buy by the box — box quantities often drop the price $1–$2 per cigar versus singles. Try sampler packs — explore several budget blends before committing to a full box. Look for seconds — same tobacco as flagship lines, minor cosmetic flaws, much lower price. Seconds and overruns are one of the cigar world's best-kept secrets. A slightly mottled wrapper or off-center cap doesn't change how the cigar smokes, but it does cut the price. Build a Budget Rotation Keep 3–4 of the best budget cigars on hand that cover different strengths. Stock a mild Connecticut-wrapped stick for mornings, a medium Nicaraguan blend for all-purpose smoking, and a fuller option for evenings. That variety keeps your palate happy and gives you the right cigar for any moment. It's also worth trying different wrappers: Ecuadorian Connecticut is creamy, Nicaraguan Habano brings spice, and Brazilian Mata Fina adds sweetness. Even on a budget, you can taste the full range. Pairing and Storage Budget cigars pair great with everyday drinks, coffee, iced tea, or bourbon. Just match intensity: fuller cigars stand up to bold drinks, milder ones suit lighter pairings. And store them like you would any cigar. Keep your humidor at 65–70% humidity and around 70°F, and many budget sticks actually improve after a few weeks of rest. New to storage? Read our guide on how to store cigars. Why Budget Cigars Are Better Than Ever Here's the good news: the best budget cigars today would have been called premium a generation ago. Better farming, improved fermentation, and more competition have raised the floor across the board. Many longtime smokers keep a mix, budget sticks for daily smoking and premium ones for special nights. That balance lets you enjoy cigars often without burning through pricey inventory. A value mindset doesn't mean settling for less; it means being intentional about where your money goes, and the best budget cigars prove that great flavor isn't reserved for a big price tag. Great Cigars That Respect Your Wallet Explore our budget-friendly value brands and bundles at Mardo. Explore Budget-Friendly Cigars

Fifty dollars is a real milestone in the cigar world, the point where you cross from everyday smokes into serious, special-occasion territory. But what does a $50 cigar actually get you, and is it worth it? I'm Gerard from Mardo Cigars, and in this guide I'll break down exactly what fifty bucks buys, what makes a cigar cost that much, and the smartest way to spend it. A $50 cigar is special-occasion territory, so it pays to spend it wisely. QUICK ANSWER: WHAT $50 GETS YOU A single ultra-premium cigar like Opus X or Padrón Anniversario — rare tobacco, aged blends, collectible vitolas. A 5-cigar sampler spanning multiple premium brands — the best way to explore variety at this price. Part of a box purchase — $50 covers 2–3 sticks from a premium box, locking in per-stick savings. The price comes down to rarity, aging, limited production, and craft. The Real Question: Single Stick, Sampler, or Box? When you're looking at spending $50 on cigars, you're at an interesting crossroads. That amount can buy one extraordinary single cigar, a curated sampler of five premium sticks, or a meaningful chunk of a box. Each path offers something different, and the right choice depends on what you're after in the moment. Let's be clear: a $50 cigar isn't just a cigar with a high price tag. It represents a specific tier of craftsmanship, tobacco rarity, and often years of aging. But that doesn't automatically make it the best use of your $50. Here are the three smart ways to spend it. Option 1: The Single Ultra-Premium Cigar A single $50 cigar is a statement piece, cigars like the Arturo Fuente Opus X, Padrón 1926 Serie in larger vitolas, or limited releases from Davidoff and God of Fire. You're paying for scarce tobacco (Fuente's own Château de la Fuente wrapper), years of aging, complex blending, and obsessive quality control. This is the choice for a milestone — a wedding, a big promotion, a once-a-year indulgence you'll actually remember. Option 2: The Premium Sampler (our pick for most smokers) Here's where $50 shines. A well-built sampler gives you five premium cigars from different blenders, countries, and wrapper styles — think a Liga Privada, a Padrón 1964, a Foundation Tabernacle, an Oliva Serie V Melanio, and a My Father Le Bijou. You get variety, education, and five distinct experiences instead of one. For most smokers, it's the smarter play. Browse our curated samplers here. Option 3: Investing in a Box Already found your cigar, the one you return to again and again? Then $50 is a down payment on a box. Premium boxes typically run $200–$400, so your $50 covers two to four sticks with the per-cigar savings that come from buying in bulk. This is the move for the committed smoker: lower cost per cigar, your go-to always on hand, and sticks that keep developing in your humidor. What Actually Makes a Cigar Cost $50? It's worth breaking down the factors that push a cigar into this range, because it isn't arbitrary. Here's what you're paying for when you light a $50 stick: Tobacco rarity — wrappers from limited harvests and short-supply filler. Fuente's Opus X wrapper comes from a single, notoriously hard-to-grow farm. Aging — Padrón ages tobacco a minimum of five years; some editions longer. Aging smooths and deepens the blend but ties up inventory. Limited production — small-batch, anniversary, and collaboration cigars are finite. Scarcity drives price. Master blending and rolling — the most experienced torcedores handle the priciest cigars, ensuring flawless construction and burn. Brand prestige — Davidoff, Padrón, and Fuente earned their reputations over decades of consistency and heritage. None of this is marketing fluff. A $50 cigar isn't just expensive — it's expensive for reasons you can taste. If you're curious how patience transforms a cigar, see our guide on how to age your cigars and our breakdown of full-bodied cigars. How Does a $50 Cigar Compare to a $10 Cigar? A $10 cigar can be excellent — brands like Oliva, Perdomo, and our own Jeremy Jack JJ14 deliver outstanding quality. So what changes at $50? The $10 cigar is built on solid, well-aged tobacco blended for consistency, a reliable daily smoke. The $50 cigar adds layers: rarer tobacco, longer aging, more intricate blending, and often a wrapper or vitola you won't find anywhere else. The difference is refinement — more complexity, more depth, more subtle notes that unfold over the smoke. It's like wine: a $15 bottle can be great, but a $100 bottle is doing things a $15 one simply can't. Both have their place. Mardo CigarsJeremy Jack — JJ14 Lancero (Aged 1 Year)Explore Our JJ14 Lancero Our Verdict: How to Spend Your $50 The Smart Play Celebrating a milestone or already love a specific ultra-premium cigar? Buy the single stick and savor it. Exploring, learning, or sharing with friends? Invest in a premium sampler for more variety and value. Found your cigar and ready to commit? Put the $50 toward a box and enjoy the per-stick savings. The worst move? Buying a $50 cigar just because it's expensive. Buy it because you know what it offers. At Mardo, we stock the full range — from ultra-premium single sticks to curated samplers that let you explore without breaking the bank. Whatever your palate, occasion, and budget, spend your fifty dollars on purpose and any $50 cigar will feel worth every penny. The Smart Play: Spend $50 on a Sampler More variety, zero buyer's remorse. Taste several premium cigars for the price of one. Shop Premium Samplers

The Macanudo Crystal Cafe is a mild cigar in a clear glass tube. I'm Gerard from Mardo Cigars, and it's one of the easiest cigars to love and to carry. In this guide I'll cover the blend, the flavor, the sizes, and why that glass tube is so handy. By the end you'll know if the Macanudo Crystal Cafe is right for you. The Macanudo Crystal Cafe: a mild Connecticut cigar in a travel-ready glass tube. QUICK ANSWER A mild Connecticut Shade cigar in a protective glass tube, great for travel and gifting. Flavor: creamy, nutty, lightly sweet, with cedar and toast. No harshness. Comes in Robusto, Corona, Toro, and Churchill. The tube keeps it fresh for up to 2 weeks without a humidor. Perfect for beginners, casual smokers, and travelers. What Is the Macanudo Crystal Cafe? The Macanudo Crystal Cafe is a mild, Connecticut-wrapped cigar in a clear glass tube. It's part of General Cigar's classic Macanudo line. The Crystal series began in the 1990s as a travel-friendly format. The "Cafe" name means the mild Connecticut Shade blend. That is the smoothest cigar Macanudo makes, and the one that built the brand with new and casual smokers. The Blend and Construction The Crystal Cafe uses the same blend as the standard Macanudo Cafe. It has a golden Connecticut Shade wrapper, a Mexican binder, and Dominican filler. That gives it a mild, creamy, slightly sweet taste, think toasted nuts, light cedar, and a hint of coffee with cream. Each cigar is hand-rolled in the Dominican Republic and sealed in a glass tube with a cork top. The tube guards the wrapper and holds humidity for short trips. It doesn't add flavor, but it does keep the cigar from drying out or picking up pocket lint. Sizes in the Crystal Cafe Line Each size is tubed on its own. The most common ones are: Vitola Size Best for Robusto 5 × 50 The popular all-rounder (~45 min) Corona 5½ × 42 Slimmer, sweeter wrapper Toro 6 × 50 Longer sessions Churchill 7 × 47 A slow, leisurely smoke Every size tastes the same and mild, so pick by how long you want to smoke. The Robusto is the most popular for its balance of time and flavor. Flavor and Smoking Experience Expect a mild-to-medium body with low strength. This is a morning or afternoon smoke, not an evening bomb. The first third is creamy and sweet with light toast. The middle brings gentle cedar and a whisper of pepper, but it stays smooth. The final third holds steady, with a faint caramel note if your burn stays even. The draw is easy and the smoke is generous. The burn line stays sharp with few touch-ups, so you can relax while you read, talk, or play a round of golf. Pairing tip: stick to light drinks, a light-roast coffee, iced tea, or a pilsner. Skip heavy spirits and dark roasts; they bury the delicate flavor. Why Choose the Glass Tube? The tube isn't just for looks. It solves real problems if you travel, spend time outdoors, or want to gift a single cigar: Protection — the wrapper won't get crushed in a bag or pocket. Short-term humidity — the sealed tube holds moisture for days or weeks, no humidor needed. Portability — it fits a jacket pocket, golf bag, or carry-on. Gifting — the clear tube looks premium and shows off the cigar. The trade-off is cost. Tubed cigars run about $1–$3 more per stick than boxed ones. For travel or gifts, that's worth it. For daily smoking, a box of standard Macanudo Cafe plus a travel case is cheaper. Who Is the Crystal Cafe For? It fits three smokers really well. Beginners get a smooth, forgiving first cigar with no harshness. Casual smokers who don't own a humidor can keep a few tubes in a drawer for weeks. Travelers can toss one in any bag. If you love full-bodied, complex cigars, the Crystal Cafe may feel too mild for daily use, but it still shines as a morning smoke or a palate cleanser. New to mild smokes? See our guide to the best mild cigars for beginners and our roundup of Connecticut cigars. Where It Fits in the Macanudo Lineup Line Profile Cafe The original mild Connecticut (Crystal is the tubed version). Maduro Broadleaf wrapper, sweeter with a bit more body. Inspirado Nicaraguan tobacco, more spice and strength. Vintage Aged tobaccos, refined and still mild. If the Crystal Cafe feels too light, the Maduro or Inspirado are easy next steps. The Crystal format also comes in the Maduro blend for the same portability with richer flavor. Storage and Care Tips Up to 2 weeks: keep it in the sealed tube at room temperature, out of sunlight. Longer than 2 weeks: take it out of the tube and store it in a humidor at 65–70%. Before smoking: if it sat a while, rest it in your humidor for a few days first. Never refrigerate cigars; the cold and swinging humidity ruin the wrapper. Room temperature and steady humidity are all you need. For the full rundown, read our guide on how to store your cigars. Smooth, Easy, and Ready to Travel Explore mild, beginner-friendly cigars and travel accessories at Mardo. Shop Cigars at Mardo

Everything you need to know about the Liga Privada T52 Flying Pig: blend details, tasting notes, availability, and why this figurado is a must-try for

Everything you need to know about ACID Blondie cigars—flavor profile, size specs, who they're for, and how they compare to other ACID blends.

Discover the story behind Ramrod cigars, their distinctive blends, and what makes this classic brand stand out. Expert insights for premium cigar