11/18, 6" x 48 x 54 x 48 ring gauge, approx. $12Camacho advertises the Triple Maduro as "the world's only all-maduro cigar" and claims that it took a full year's work to get the right blend of 5 maduro tobaccos to both burn and taste right. I had a Triple Maduro not too long after they first became available and I walked away with the general impression that the cigar was all about the power, but did not provide much in the way of flavor. Several people encouraged me to try it again and at least one recommended the 11/18 size as a way to get the most flavor.
Starting off, the appearance of the TripMad is striking--the very dark maduro wrapper contrasts well with the silver foil of the bands (there is an extra one on the foot). The wrapper is slightly oily and not overly veiny or rough. There was a little give when pinched but no real soft spots. The aroma from the body was faintly of cocoa; from the foot there was more barnyard mixed in with some chocolate. The prelight draw has the strong flavor of dark chocolate and there is some spice there as well.
The cigar started off, surprisingly, with the light flavors of hay and honey...just kidding! Out of the gate, this cigar is bold and in your face with flavors of espresso bean, roasted nuts and bitter cocoa. The cigar was extra-difficult to light and get to burning properly and the fullness of body was practically off the scale. Once burning, the cigar gave up copious amounts of rich, thick smoke. I imagine this would be every anti-smoking Nazi's worst dream--which is reason in and of itself to smoke these in public!
Through the first third the smoke continues to exhibit the bitter flavors of espresso and cocoa and it began crossing the border into harshness. The flavors are more interesting than I remembered, but the harsh edge was a little off-putting.
The second third is where things got really interesting--no doubt because of the thicker ring gauge at that point, the smoke mellowed somewhat and the harshness abated. The flavor of roasted nuts became more prominent and some black pepper became noticeable, especially on the finish. The draw was great to this point and the burn line was very even, with no need to correct it.
The final third tended toward harshness again, but not to the same extent as the first third. The flavors during this time were more earthy but there was still an essence of espresso there. Overall, this stick did change my opinion of the TripMad somewhat. I have to admit that it is a flavorful and complex cigar with a body that is hard to believe and strength right up there with the LFD Double Ligero Chisel. The one big problem still is the exorbitant price tag and that will prevent this stick from ever being more than a special occasion smoke for me. I did like this more than the fabled Scorpion, also by Camacho, though, and have to put it in the small group of cigars by Camacho that I have actually enjoyed.
Body: 10/10
Strength: 10/10
Complexity: 8/10
AFP Scale:
Prelight: 2/2
Construction: 2/2
Flavor: 4/5
Value: .5/1
Total: 8.5/10
These age incredibly well. If you can hold onto them for a few years, you will be rewarded.
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