Review: Casa Magna

[DarenH]

Tried this one on a whim. Very "oaky" with a finish that has a distinctive "black pepper" taste. Did not like the first half-inch - but it soon mellowed out and was enjoyable. Not my favorite smoke. But, one I would buy if none of my favorites were available - and certainly one I would accept as a gift. Overall I would give it a B+.

[Giant & 49er Fan]

...and certainly NOT cigar of the year :2 ... but an enjoyable smoke. Thanks for the review.

[JJG]

yeah, I've avoided buying any of these until now even though my local b&m has them and I will probably continue to do so. not to change the subject but does anyone know how CA votes on things like this? I mean, I'm sure this isn't a bad cigar but, best in the world?

[Starscream]

yeah, I've avoided buying any of these until now even though my local b&m has them and I will probably continue to do so. not to change the subject but does anyone know how CA votes on things like this? I mean, I'm sure this isn't a bad cigar but, best in the world?

You could add the create a poll option to a thread if you want people to vote on it.

[Poe]

I agree, i found it was an ok-good smoke but nothing remarkable.

[Col. Kurtz]

Agreed, much better smokes for the money. Ambos Mundos comes to mind....

And welcome to the asylum, from a local!

[csbrewfisher]

I was gifted a couple of these by NCRadioGuy last year and found them to be an excellent smoke, very much to my liking. Not sure how CA arrives at their rating, but I would definitely buy them if someone around here carried them.

[ValorBali41]

If its just a good smoke, then how did it get Cigar of the year 2008? Are we to believe that we can not trust Cigar Aficionado?

[Doctorossi]

Are we to believe that we can not trust Cigar Aficionado?

You can trust them to have an opinion... just like anyone else.

[Mark]

We sell these in the shop were I work JUST based on the fact that we have a "Cigar Aficionado #1" tag on the box. Ridiculous.

[jerseystepup]

Anyone find these smokes to last ridiculously longer than normal?

[Doctorossi]

Anyone find these smokes to last ridiculously longer than normal?

Maybe that's why Aficionado likes 'em. Not only are they cheap, they're two cigars in one!

[Mr B]

I just had my first one today (thanks Bob). I really liked the flavors. It had some burn issues but I blame that on a windy day.

[greenwit]

Saw the thread title and thought to myself, 'I gotta finally try one of those.' Then I thought the next moment, I have already. LOL. :td

[yourchoice]

not to change the subject but does anyone know how CA votes on things like this?

Not sure how CA arrives at their rating, but I would definitely buy them if someone around here carried them.

We refer to them bastages as cA in these parts. :tu

As for the smoke, I've been looking for a single in a couple B&M's close by for a while now and haven't seen it available. Does this stick have a limited distribution?

[Steelergar]

You guys do know that CA owns this brand, which to me explains their ratings for it. But I still want to try it.

[ValorBali41]

We sell these in the shop were I work JUST based on the fact that we have a "Cigar Aficionado #1" tag on the box. Ridiculous.

Its a shame this happens. To a more inexperienced smoker, cigar Aficionado is the place to start. I know I started there. But everything must be taken with a grain of salt. No one should sell a stick just because 1 magazine rated it as the best. As the great Zino Davidoff once said, "The greatest cigar to smoke is the one you are currently smoking". Its all personal preference, and the only influencing force to buy a cigar should be personal curiosity, not because a magazine told you. Although the Aficionado's Cigar Companion is a great read :D

[apNgb]

...and certainly NOT cigar of the year :2 ... but an enjoyable smoke. Thanks for the review.

couldn't have said it any better :r

[Doctorossi]

To a more inexperienced smoker, cigar Aficionado is the place to start. I know I started there.

Maybe this was the case in the first 4 or so years of the mag, but I can't see how it could be now. Good luck even finding a word printed about cigars in the editorial of that thing. Their name change to "How To Timeshare a Private Jet To a Golf Course In Las Vegas Magazine" is long overdue.

[NCRadioMan]

If its just a good smoke, then how did it get Cigar of the year 2008? Are we to believe that we can not trust Cigar Aficionado?

They take into account flavor, construction and affordability. Or so they say. No, you cannot trust that rag, imo.

We sell these in the shop were I work JUST based on the fact that we have a "Cigar Aficionado #1" tag on the box. Ridiculous.

We have that problem as well. Too many people put too much stock in the ca's ratings. Although we sell quite alot of the Magna's.

You guys do know that CA owns this brand, which to me explains their ratings for it. But I still want to try it.

Please elaborate. To my knowledge, they are the result of a joint endeavor between Manuel Quesada, maker of Fonseca and the founder of MATASA, and Nestor Plasencia and poduced by Plasencia’s Segovia factory in Esteli:

To a more inexperienced smoker, cigar Aficionado is the place to start.

Couldn't disagree more. This and other boards like it is the perfect starting place. Besides, Smoke, Cigar, Cigar Press and The European Cult Cigar Journal are all much, much, much better.

Maybe this was the case in the first 4 or so years of the mag, but I can't see how it could be now. Good luck even finding a word printed about cigars in the editorial of that thing. Their name change to "How To Timeshare a Private Jet To a Golf Course In Las Vegas Magazine" is long overdue.
:tpd: With about 14-18% actual cigar content in a rag called "Cigar Aficionado" is a joke.


These are good cigars but like all Nic puros, they must be stored close to 60% rh for them to shine.

[BORIStheBLADE]

I smoked one and thought it was just ok. I would rather smoke a Ambos Mundos for sure.

[volldampf]

For a five dollar stick, i find the casa magna quite tasty. I'll have to try the ambos mundos, i'll make it my assignment for the evening.

[chenvt]

If someone has a casa magna from BEFORE the CA review, I'd like to hear their thoughts. I had one and agree it was ok, but nowhere near as good as the hype. Could this be a quality issue after business picked up?

[hoax]

If someone has a casa magna from BEFORE the CA review, I'd like to hear their thoughts. I had one and agree it was ok, but nowhere near as good as the hype. Could this be a quality issue after business picked up?

I had one just as the review in CA came out. Ok stick, but not OMG good.

[Col. Kurtz]

For a five dollar stick, i find the casa magna quite tasty. I'll have to try the ambos mundos, i'll make it my assignment for the evening.

The sumatras are very good (burgundy band)

[ValorBali41]

Couldn't disagree more. This and other boards like it is the perfect starting place.

The magazine does rate cigars. Toward the back of the journal there are dozens of ratings. This is how i learned about brands and what ranks where. But I am very disappointed that CA really only is 10% cigars, and 90% complete crap. The August issue has about 10 pgs worth of material on Entourage coming back, and little to be said about cigars really. IMHO the best place to start would probably be in a tobacco/ cigar shop asking advice from the owner or clerk, and then reading online reviews and overall gaining knowledge from a plethora of places.

[Clampdown]

You guys do know that CA owns this brand, which to me explains their ratings for it. But I still want to try it.

Huh?:confused:

[nozero]

So, was it the Colorado Robusto? I'm anxious to try one of these, but have yet to find them in stock at the local B&M.

[Skywalker]

Thanks for the review!!!:tu

I would agree with a B+!!!

[macpappy]

Thanks for the review. I picked a couple up at a B&M last week and smoked one of them today. The flavor was ok, even enjoyable but with the severe burn issues the one I smoked had (sitting outside, but no wind or breeze) and the fact that I had to relight it twice, I just can't see how this was ever voted "best cigar of the year".

My first thought on the burn issues was that it was too wet but I bought it at a Tinderbox and then let it sit in my coolerador at 65% for a week so I don't think that was the issue.

I think cA just overrated this one.

[joetownhound]

Regardless of how cA rated it I think it is a good tasting cigar. Not the best I've smoked but good none the less. I have a box of them resting in my vino and think it would be a nice change. :ss

[vankleekkw]

I broke down and picked up some PC for ~3.50 and found this to be a very good smoke. It was flavorful and had a mild complexity to it. I don't belive it to be the best of 2008, but definately a good smoke in the under $5.00 category.

[njstone]

I've only smoked the double toro size. I liked it quite a bit, enough to buy a mixed 5er at the shop, anyway. Not awesome, but a solid cigar. IMVHO not "cigar of the year," but I know that CA decided to take price into account, so by that rationale I guess it was up there.

As far as my views on CA/CI ... I don't subscribe, but read it now and then when I see someone with a copy. I'd much rather get the opinions of "real people" on the boards than snobs who (allegedly) only smoke the first inch of the cigar.

[heavyd]

I don't belive it to be the best of 2008, but definately a good smoke in the under $5.00 category.

I agree with this. I've smoked two of these and they are good, no doubt. When I say "good" I mean good for a $5 cigar. The Casa Magna is on par with Oliva G or V as far as value goes, IMO. It ain't no Tat Brown, that's for sure, but hey, it costs 5 bucks, not 10 or 12. :2

[Eleven]

So, was it the Colorado Robusto? I'm anxious to try one of these, but have yet to find them in stock at the local B&M.

St. Jorge Tobacco in St. Augustine has some, they will ship to you.

At least they had a box when I was there in August, if you call, tell them Scott in Ohio sent you to them.

:banger

[joetownhound]

St. Jorge Tobacco in St. Augustine has some, they will ship to you.

At least they had a box when I was there in August, if you call, tell them Scott in Ohio sent you to them.

:banger

Tampa Humidor also have them and and will ship.