My first impressions are of mocha and rye bread. The retro hale brings a wonderfully robust pepper note to my senses, waking me up far faster than an afternoon coffee. The flavors are big, bold, and absolutely bullying my palate. This is why I love this cigar so much: it never disappoints and always brings the heat. 

And for all the strength of this blend, the No. 50 Maduro has an oily mouthfeel to it as well that makes it much more approachable than what I wrote above. Not creamy, per se, but also not unlike a milkshake. None of that drying effect that some blends leave you with. It is very well-balanced even though it is the Booker’s to my usual Elijah Craig. 

Speaking of, I brought Elijah Craig out with me today so let’s take a sip. This combo makes my whiskey taste just a touch sharper and sweeter, which is quite pleasant. The cigar gets more of a boost from the whiskey, adding nodes of cedar, leather, and caramel to the mix. This pairing is serviceable - not the best I’ve found for the Family Reserve Maduro, but still complimentary. My favorite pour with this blend and size remains to be The Dalmore’s Cigar Malt. Aberlour 18 is a close second.

I’ll never forget the first time I enjoyed one of these. I pulled it off the shelf of my favorite cigar lounge circa 2016 and it felt like a million bucks in my hand. I remember having so many expectations from it because of the price tag, and each one of those expectations were blown away once I fired it up. At the time, I had been a casual cigar enthusiast for about a decade and never really got into the fuller blends on the market. This was my first introduction to a full-bodied cigar that really grabbed me by the collar and hit me right in the feels.

Kyle Hoover of Ezra Zion once told me that you know when you really like a cigar when you can’t stop looking at it. That is sage advice, and years later I still find myself staring at this cigar like it’s the last glass of beer in existence. 

The draw is effortless and the burn line is crisper than a two dollar bill. If you find yourself wanting a bold cigar that sets the stage for a bold evening, I can’t recommend this one enough. 

If you also enjoy this blend, please don’t hesitate to drop us a comment below!