The Macanudo Hyde Park is another one of the great cigars collections produced by General Cigar Co. Inc. from their factory in the Dominican Republic. The Hyde Park was the featured cigar in a recent cigar event at the Albuquerque Cigar Club, New Mexico. The event was sponsored by Trenton Smith from the General Cigar Company and Larry Monte of Monte’s Pueblo Pipe Shop (nmcigars.com). All attending the event were invited to a free sample the Hyde Park Café, Robust and Maduro blends. The cigar is 5 1/2” long with a ring gauge of 49.
Flavor
These are an excellent choice for any level of cigar smoker and especially for the beginner. The flavor abounds right from the start with all three of these blends. The Maduro was full of a very subtle sweetness which complimented the coffee background from the dark wrapper. This cigar may be a bit more full bodied for a newer cigar smoker but a good introduction to maduro wrapper. The Robust was true to its name and offered a little more spice but not overpowering. I would consider this of a medium strength. Finally when I smoked the Café this was a real pleasure as it produced lighter tastes of almonds, cashews and fresh herbs and the best choice for beginners. All of these cigars gave you a little nudge at the midpoint of the smoke and the flavors increased with a touch more of a peppery experience. One of the nicest attributes of these cigars is that because of the 49 ring gauge, the cigar smoked cool right down to the last inch. I normally don't smoke a cigar down past 1 3/4” but these were so enjoyable that I went the distance. My wife’s choice for the aroma was the Café. She described it to me as being a little floral and very unobtrusive.Draw and Construction
The Hyde Park is a perfectly constructed cigar as are the entire line of Macanudo. The burn on these were as good as it gets, completely even and very strong ash that held on for a little more than 2” before falling into the ash tray on its own. The draw was not too light but yet not too heavy. I find that using a punch on cigars helps for a better draw but with these I also tried a wedge cutter and guillotine. The cigars all held up well to each type of cutter and the draw was the same, a testament to a well constructed cigar. The type of tobacco in each differs slightly:- Café – Connecticut Shade Wrapper, Dominican (Piloto Cubano) and Mexican Filler, Mexico San Andrean Binder.
- Maduro - Connecticut Broadleaf Wrapper, Dominican (Piloto Cubano) and Mexican Filler, Connecticut Binder.
- Robust - Connecticut Shade Wrapper, Dominican, Honduran and Nicaraguan Filler, Connecticut Broadleaf Binder.
Value
The Macanudo Hyde Park is a premium cigar that will not break your wallet. A box of 25 will range in price from $92 to $107 which brings you down to between $3.70 and $4.30 per stick depending on which cigar you choose (Café, Maduro or Robust). All three are also available in 5-packs for around $27. A great value is to try the sampler where you will get 2 of each for around $35. The word ‘Macanudo’ in Spanish means 'fine, excellent and first rate'. I must say that this cigar definitely fits the name.
