Note: Cigars #1 and #2 on the 2014 Cigar of the Year Countdown will be announced on 12/31/15.

“Seijas has been a mastermind behind many iconic brands, but with the Matilde Oscura, he has hit another home run. This is one of 2015’s best cigars.”

Wrapper: Mexico – San Andres
Binder: Sumatra
Filler: Dominican Republic, Nicaragua, Pennsylvania (USA)
Country of Origin: Dominican Republic (Tabacalera La Matilde)
Toro Bravo: 6 1/2 x 54
Review: Matilde Oscura Toro Bravo
Brand Appearances on Countdown: 1 (2015)

Coming in at #3 is the Matilde Oscura Toro Bravo. This is a part of the second line to be released by Jose Seijas’ Matilde Cigars. Introduced at the 2015 IPCPR Trade Show, the cigar adds an dark oscuro wrapper offering into the company’s portfolio. Seijas is one of the legendary figures in the history of the cigar industry.  He is best known for his tenure as Vice President and General Manager of Tabacalera de Garcia – maker of Altadis products. In 2013, he founded his own company Matilde Cigars and focuses more on small batch production.

The Matilde Oscura Toro Bravo becomes the first cigar by Matilde Cigars to land on a Cigar Coop Countdown. The cigar is highlighted by a dark Mexican San Andres Oscuro wrapper, the fourth cigar on the Countdown to feature San Andres. The blend also features a Sumatra binder with fillers from the Dominican Republic, Nicaragua, and Pennsylvania. The cigar was produced at Seijas’ Tabacalera La Matilde factory, but production is moving to Jochi Blanco’s Tabacalera Palma in 2016.  The Toro Bravo is the largest vitola of the three vitolas in the line – measuring 6 1/2 x 54.

Earlier this year Matilde Cigars also announced it was entering into an agreement for Quesada Cigars to handle its distribution, so now its a part of the Quesada Cigars family.

The Matilde Oscura Toro Bravo delivers notes of mocha, earth, cedar, and white pepper. There are also undertones of dried fruit and cream. The cigar has a nice smoothness throughout the smoking experience. It’s a medium strength, medium-bodied cigar that will progress to medium to full in the second half.

This is one of the finest examples of a Mexican San Andres wrapper I have seen on a cigar. It was a cigar that was a standout cigar when sampled at the 2015 IPCPR Trade Show, and it’s one that lived up to the expectations when it hit the shelves.

For details of the 2015 Cigar of the Year Countdown, see our December 2015 Editor’s Corner