The maxim that a cigar needn't be bigger to be better is driven home by the new Cohiba Maduro 5. The Cubans launched the maduro range for their most famous brand in early 2007 with three sizes: Genios, 5 1/2 inches by 52 ring; Mágicos, 4 1/2 inches by 52 ring; and Secretos, 4 1/3 inches by 40. It was the smallest that really blew us away with complex flavors of coffee, leather, almonds and caramel. It's a full-bodied smoke with a big heart for a little cigar. It's like comparing a rich espresso with a simple filtered coffee.
The Cubans claim to be using five-year-old wrapper for these cigars. The top leaves on the plants (called coronas) are picked later than normal to assure that the tobacco is as rich and ripe as possible. The tobacco is then fermented longer to give more color and flavor to the leaf. Almost all the Cohiba Maduro 5s are made in the Partagas factory in Old Havana near the capitol building.
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