Casa Magna-Overhyped and underwhelming

[omowasu]

I just picked up one of these two days ago solely because of the #1 slot at CA. I havent smoked it yet, but my expectations were so-so even then, and they are more so-so now. I will smoke it in the next couple days and report back...

[Ratters]

Had mine today. Eh, it was pretty good. Just nothing special. Kinda reminded me of a Tat red a bit.

[zmancbr]

Thanks for the review Bob. I think I will steer clear of this stick... you are right there is too much good stuff to smoke!

I agree that this is not the best cigar out there, but I've been pushing this cigar as the best value in the humidor for some time now. Even though CA doesn't really care about value, I do. Thanks for the review Bob!

[karmaz00]

havent had one yet...thanks for the heads up

I have been interested in trying these too..maybe i will get lucky and my local B&M might have one. If they do i will post a quick write up tomarrow

[Mr B]

Nice review Bob. Thanks

[GTsetGO]

smoked one with java today. it was "okay". Definately not the best cigar that i have smoked this year..

During the smoking process it burned uneven and I had to relight it about 7 times as it kept going out.

fun times.

I passed on smoking one of these the other day in favour of my first red label 601..looks like I will try one of these enxt week.

[Ratters]

Originally Posted by Killjoy

I passed on smoking one of these the other day in favour of my first red label 601..looks like I will try one of these enxt week.

This really is a pretty decent smoke, just not amazing. I would definitely smoke another if given then chance. But they would have to be at least $3 a stick by the box like my beloved Camachos before I'd consider it.

Now the 601 red, I'll pay a tad more for.

[borndead1]

Just lit up the second of 2 sticks I bought. The first one was a huge "meh". I try to give most cigars a second chance, so I decided today is the day for the Casa Magna.


First 1/3
Very sweet on the draw, and that pure, instantly recognizable Nicaraguan spice in the nose, a little floral on the finish. This one already tastes way different from the first one. Maybe they just needed a few weeks in the humi.

Second 1/3
Wow, this is like a completely different cigar. A lot more flavor than the first one, better burn too. The place I bought them from always has the humidity cranked up in their humidor. I've seen it as high as 74% before. Amazing what a difference it makes. Flavor-wise, seems to be going back and forth between charred wood and floral, with the ever-present Nicaraguan bite in the nose exhale. They're growing some tasty tobacco down there in Nicaragua. This is definitely NOT one of your typical quadruple ligero bombs that are so popular these days. "Strength" is a solid medium.

Final 1/3
Getting a little ammonia, did a flame purge and it cleared up. This one could have used some more rest. Flavor-wise the floral is a little more upfront and the wood is gone. Floral and tangy. Let it die at just under 2".


This one was waaaaaay better than the first one I smoked. Still don't agree with the ranking though. But I will pick up a few more and put them to bed for a few months and revisit.

[bobarian]

Originally Posted by borndead1

Just lit up the second of 2 sticks I bought. The first one was a huge "meh". I try to give most cigars a second chance, so I decided today is the day for the Casa Magna.


First 1/3
Very sweet on the draw, and that pure, instantly recognizable Nicaraguan spice in the nose, a little floral on the finish. This one already tastes way different from the first one. Maybe they just needed a few weeks in the humi.

Second 1/3
Wow, this is like a completely different cigar. A lot more flavor than the first one, better burn too. The place I bought them from always has the humidity cranked up in their humidor. I've seen it as high as 74% before. Amazing what a difference it makes. Flavor-wise, seems to be going back and forth between charred wood and floral, with the ever-present Nicaraguan bite in the nose exhale. They're growing some tasty tobacco down there in Nicaragua. This is definitely NOT one of your typical quadruple ligero bombs that are so popular these days. "Strength" is a solid medium.

Final 1/3
Getting a little ammonia, did a flame purge and it cleared up. This one could have used some more rest. Flavor-wise the floral is a little more upfront and the wood is gone. Floral and tangy. Let it die at just under 2".


This one was waaaaaay better than the first one I smoked. Still don't agree with the ranking though. But I will pick up a few more and put them to bed for a few months and revisit.

Thanks bro, will have to revisit this one as well. Just a bit hard to find atm.

[GTsetGO]

they only sent coronas out to the shops and have the robusto and another size on back order according to my local shop.

they are supposed to recieve more within a couple of weeks

[ade06]

Originally Posted by bobarian

but no depth or complexity and barely any nic kick.

I had one for the first time last night and I wasn't overly impressed either, but I found that it did have quite a bit of nic kick. It wasn't bad but, I probably won't buy another one because like a lot of people have already stated; there are just too many other better cigars at the $5 price point.

[shilala]

I got one a few weeks ago at Slippery Rock Cigars. Sofaman got one, too.
He smoked his and said "meh". Not that the cigar was bad, it just wasn't anything to dance about and certainly not a #1.
Mine is still in my humi. I think it's a torp. I'm looking forward to trying it just to see what it compares to. When I saw it and smelled it, it reminded me a LOT of Taboo's SFO.

[omowasu]

I finally smoked one of the Casa Magna Robustos I had picked up in February - overall, I liked the stick. I wouldnt say it was a cigar of the year, but I felt it was worth the $5.50 I paid at Jack Schwartz in Chicago.

Anyway, it started out with a nice smack of pepper and spice - good start IMO, with some nice woodsy twang and just a tiny bitter aftertaste. I am not a fan of bitter cigars, and bitterness usually turns me off immediately, but this was more of a fresh-brewed coffee bitterness that was somewhat enjoyable.

Toward the middle, the pepper subsided and the solid Nicaraguan twang took over, mostly cedar and leather, great on the snork... After about the 1/2 mark, I also found more bitterness and ammonia. Cashed at the last 1/3rd.

While I liked the cigar and thought it was worth the money, I didnt like the size (6x60) - I would rather see this smoke in a smaller 5x50 or maybe even a lancero/corona. So many of these super large cigars are overkill, including this one...

I think the corona shape in this line is the best. The other shapes seem too airy and the flavor is much better IMO from the corona. Now, I smoked the first batch and I've smoked the second batch. I believe that the quality and consistency has gone down from the initial release.

[yourchoice]

I just had my first Casa Magna this morning driving home from a weekend getaway. I bought two. Unless the second is MUCH better than the first, the second will be my last. Not impressed at all.

IMHO there are various bundle smokes that are better than the one I had. LHOs are one of the first that come to mind.

[yourchoice]

Originally Posted by yourchoice

I just had my first Casa Magna this morning driving home from a weekend getaway. I bought two. Unless the second is MUCH better than the first, the second will be my last. Not impressed at all.

IMHO there are various bundle smokes that are better than the one I had. LHOs are one of the first that come to mind.

I finally got around to smoking my second one last night while watching the Wings/'Yotes game 7. Figured it had ample time to rest and improve. All I can say is, I agree with Bob...

Originally Posted by bobarian

What a letdown.

I don't plan on smoking any more of these. Not my cup of tea. Only got through half of it last night and I almost never lay down a half smoked stogie. Not good.

[bobarian]

Actually going to a Casa Magna event tomorrow evening, so I will get a chance to try the Oscuro. Unfortunately, I have heard even less positive reactions about the oscuro.