Los Statos Deluxe Maduro Robusto (wrapped)

Today, we review the Los Statos Deluxe (LSD) Maduro in the Robusto size. Released in 2023, the LSD Maduro is the second Los Statos Deluxe release by the Scandinavian Tobacco Group (STG). Back in 2022, STG resurrected the dormant Los Statos Deluxe brand. The brand traces its roots back to Cuba in 1940, where it was called “Los Statos De Luxe.” STG held the trademarks outside of Cuba and decided to release Los Statos Deluxe under the Forged Cigar Company portfolio. An Ecuadorian Sumatra wrapper highlighted the first Los Statos Deluxe release. The LSD Maduro adds a Connecticut Broadleaf offering, expanding Los Statos Deluxe from a line to a full-fledged brand.

When Los Statos Deluxe was resurrected, the Justin Andrews and Matt Booth team set out to image the brand from a tobacco and branding perspective. Booth was working on this project before joining the STG team. At press time, there have been four Los Statos Deluxe releases.

Los Statos Deluxe
Los Statos Deluxe Maduro
Los Statos Deluxe Limited Edition
Los Statos Deluxe Connecticut

Without further ado, let’s break down the LSD Maduro Robusto and see what this cigar brings to the table.

Los Statos Deluxe Maduro Robusto – Cigar Review

SPECIFICATIONS

Blend and Origin

The LSD Maduro is a regular production offering that is produced at STG’s HATSA factory in Danlí, Honduras. It features a Connecticut Broadleaf wrapper over a Nicaraguan binder and a combination of Dominican and Honduran fillers.

Wrapper: Connecticut Broadleaf
Binder: Nicaraguan Estelí
Filler: Honduran Jamastran, Honduran La Entrada, Dominican Piloto Cubano
Country of Origin: Honduras
Factory: Honduran American Tobacco S.A. (HATSA)

Vitolas Offered

The LSD Maduro comes in four sizes – each presented in 20-count boxes

Robusto: 5 x 50
Toro: 6 x 52
Gigante: 6 x 60
Churchill: 7 x 49

Appearance (*)

The Connecticut Broadleaf wrapper of the LSD Maduro Robusto was dark roasted espresso bean in color. There wasn’t much in the way of oils on the surface of the wrapper. Upon close examination, some mottling can still be seen on this dark wrapper. There were some thin visible veins and some thin visible wrapper seams.

Los Statos Deluxe Maduro Robusto

PERFORMANCE

Pre-Light Draw (*)

Before lighting the LSD Maduro Robusto, a straight cut was used to remove the cap of the cigar. Once the cap was removed, it was time to commence the pre-light draw experience. The cold draw delivered notes of espresso and leather. Overall, this wasn’t the most exciting of pre-light draws. Since the pre-light draw is not factored into the numeric score or value rating, there was no loss of points here. At this point, it was time to toast up the LSD Maduro Robusto and move into the smoking phase.

Tasting Notes

The LSD Maduro Robusto opened with notes of mocha, leather, and cedar. I use the term “mocha” when there is a fusion between chocolate and coffee-related notes. The mocha notes became primary during the first third, with the leather and cedar notes settling in the background. There was also a layer of cedar on the retro-hale.

As the LSD Maduro Robusto moved into the second third, the mocha notes broke apart into an espresso and chocolate note. The espresso notes remained in the forefront while the chocolate settled into the background with the cedar notes. Some red pepper notes emerged on the tongue and retro-hale, and the leather notes dissipated. The cedar and pepper notes slowly increased in intensity during the second third.

By the final third, the cedar notes joined the espresso notes in the forefront. There still were notes of pepper and chocolate in the background. This is how the LSD Maduro Robusto came to a close. The resulting nub was soft to the touch and cool in temperature.

Burn

While the LSD Maduro maintained a straight burn line and burn path, it required multiple touch-ups. The resulting ash was light gray. The ash was relatively firm but prone to flaking from time to time. As for the burn rate and burn temperature, both maintained ideal levels.

Burn of the Los Statos Deluxe Maduro Robusto

Draw

The draw of the LSD Maduro was ideal. It had a touch of resistance, which I like. At the same time, this was a low-maintenance cigar from which to derive flavor.

Strength and Body

The LSD Maduro was positioned as a “fuller” offering in the Los Statos Deluxe portfolio, but I didn’t think this came close to full. This cigar was medium in strength and body from start to finish. There was a slight increase in intensity with strength and body, but in the end, LSD Maduro Robusto remained in the medium range.

When it came to strength versus body, the LSD Maduro balanced each other nicely, with neither attribute overshadowing the other.

BANDING AND PACKAGING NOTES (*)

The LSD brand is highlighted by tissue and paper wrapping over each cigar. We have seen Matt Booth do this with Room101 in the past. As much as I like the tissue and paper wrap over the cigars, I don’t see this as retailer-shelf friendly. This is because it hides the cigar. I think consumers want to see the cigars they buy.

On the more positive side, I like using the Tarheel blue and white on the packaging, bands and wrap. I never thought of Tarheel blue as a cigar packaging color, but it works here.

Packaging of the Los Statos Deluxe Maduro

OVERALL ASSESSMENT (*)

Final Thoughts

Overall, I did not find the LSD Maduro cigar inspiring. The flavors weren’t bad, but they didn’t do anything to wow me or get me to do handstands. The cigar didn’t score well in the complexity realm. Forged Cigar Company has done an excellent job at delivering a nice portfolio of cigars under $10.00. The problem is that this cigar competes with other cigars from Forged and its sister company, General Cigar Company, that perform better. Ultimately, this is not a cigar I can see myself returning to.

Key Flavors: Mocha (Espresso, Chocolate), Leather, Cedar, Pepper
Burn: Very Good
Draw: Excellent
Complexity: Low to Medium
Strength: Medium
Body: Medium
Finish: Very Good