Chateau Real magnum 46 claro

[Don Fernando]

The Chateau Real brand is part of the Drew Estate family, a cigar company that really surprised me pleasantly with the Liga Privada, so I wanted to try the Chateau Real too. I smoked the magnum 46 with the claro wrapper. This is a 5 ⅝x 46 cigar made from aged Nicaraguan and Dominican tobacco. The cigars are new to the Dutch market and have a € 5.50 price tag.



Once I release the cigar from the cellophane I notice a typical Connecticut wrapper, which isn't a good sign as I don't like Connecticut wrappers at all. The wrapper is light colored, a bit yellow with thin veins. There are some soft spots in the construction. The cigar has a bit of a floral smell with wood. The band is simple. The predraw is fine, a bit sweet and floral.



I taste a sweet earthy flavor with a musty Connecticut taste to it, exactly what I dislike about Connecticut wrappers. After half an inch I taste earth and chocolate, the musty flavor has gone. After an inch and a half I taste a bit of hay and the mustiness is back again. The cigar is still a bit sweet.



Halfway I taste some dark chocolate again with the earthy flavor and the hay. After two thirds the cigar becomes ashy but that nasty flavor disappears soon. After that I get a strange chocolate flavor again with hay.



This cigar lasted me for a little over an hour. I got a decent amount of medium thick smoke. The draw was fantastic and the burn was straight. The ash is light colored and firm. This cigar is mild to medium bodied and medium flavored.



Would I buy this cigar again? Simple answer: No.

Appearance: 7 / 10
Construction: 8 / 10
Draw: 8 / 10
Burn: 8 / 10
Smoke & ash: 7 / 10
Aroma first part: 6 / 10
Aroma second part: 6 / 10
Aroma third part: 6 / 10