2016 DUNHILL AGED SHORT ROBUSTO MADURO SEALED BOX OF 10

INFORMATION PROVIDED BY HALFWHEEL:

Maduro is the Spanish word for ripe, and can refer to either the dark brown color of the wrapper leaf, or an extended curing process that those leaves undergo to bring out more of the natural sugars as well as achieve a darker color. The Dunhill Aged Maduro Short Robusto opens up with a good bit of pepper, some funky woods, and a bit of sourness that lingers on the front of the palate. The retrohales are much more enticing in the first inch, with thick, rich soil notes pairing with decent amounts of pepper to create a complex, enjoyable exhale. The sourness shakes off pretty quickly, disappearing before the burn line hits the one-inch mark, which is also when the band needs to come off. The cigar has burned well with abundant smoke, even burn line, and an easy draw. But was most stands out is the ash, holding on without flinching through the midway point and showing no signs of wanting to let go. The Dunhill shifts a bit in advance of its second third, bringing the pepper back to the forefront and amping it up a tick, while staying firmly rooted in its earthy base that is fairly heavy on the palate. Of course, the ash finally knocks off at the midpoint. The tree bark note that was found on the pre-light aroma comes in as the final third starts, and with it comes a mouth-tingling bit of pepper that is new to the cigar. It seems to have a bit of red chili pepper flakes to it, though I also get a bit of minerals. Score 89.

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• Country of Origin: Dominican Republic

• Factory: General Cigar Dominicana

• Wrapper: Sun Grown Ligero Maduro

• Binder: Nicaragua

• Filler: Dominican Republic

• Length: 4 Inches

• Ring Gauge: 54

• Vitola: Short Robusto