Pre-light Experience

The wrapper on the Macanudo Gold Label 2025 Torpedo is medium tan with hints of green and has some raised, knotty veins. The seams are smooth and the tapered head is well finished. There are two bands, with the primary being neon green, gold, white and black and denoting the brand. The secondary band is gold, neon green and black and denotes the line and year. The aroma from the wrapper is a mix of grass, hay, cedar and mild earth while the foot brings slightly sweet hay and some earth. The pre-light draw is an airy mix of cedar and construction paper.

First Third

The cigar begins with toasted cedar, earth and mild black pepper. At a half inch in, some hay joins the profile. At three quarters of an inch in, the earth increases a bit. The retrohale is toasted cedar, earth and mild black pepper. At an inch and a half in, a mild creaminess joins the profile and the hay transitions to construction paper. As the third comes to a close, the toasted cedar is up front, with earth a bit behind, construction paper in the middle of the profile with black pepper a bit behind and some light creaminess in the background. The strength was slightly below medium.

Second Third

As the second third begins, the earth and construction paper both increase a bit. The retrohale is now toasted cedar, earth, construction paper and some mild black pepper. At an inch and a quarter, the earth is now right behind the toasted cedar and the black pepper has mellowed a bit. As the third comes to a close, the toasted cedar is just ahead of the earth, with construction paper in the middle of the profile, black pepper a bit behind and light creaminess in the background. The strength remained at slightly below medium.

Final Third

As the final third begins, the earth now becomes even with the toasted cedar up front. The retrohale is now just toasted cedar, earth and construction paper. At an inch in, the black pepper is now very mild. As the cigar wraps up, the toasted cedar and earth are even up front, with construction paper in the middle and some black pepper and creaminess in the background. The strength remained at slightly below medium.

Burn

The burn was straight throughout and the ash held on in inch and a half increments.

Draw

The draw was perfect, with just the right amount of resistance that I prefer.

Overall

The cigar began with toasted cedar, earth and mild black pepper. Some hay joined a bit later and the earth increased. Later, some creaminess joined in and the hay transitioned to construction paper. The second third saw the earth and construction paper increase. Later the pepper mellowed a bit. The final third saw the earth become even with the toasted cedar up front and the black pepper moved to the background. Construction was absolutely perfect. The Macanudo Gold Label 2025 Torpedo had an average flavor profile throughout, focused around toasted cedar and earth. The construction paper didn’t help or hurt the profile. Overall, just an average offering. It smokes smooth and has strength below medium, so a cigar that anyone could enjoy, it just isn’t something that I’d be eager to come back to.

Aaron Loomis

SCORE

5.75

Cost/Point

$2.31

Scoring System

Personal Cigar Review: Macanudo Gold Label 2025 Torpedo