Well slap me silly and call me Steve McQueen. I think I finally found a regular production Macanudo that fires on more than 3-cylinders.

Nothing against the triple-pot combustion engine mind you, nor the cigar line, but both have long had their inherent limitations. 

When you rely upon a Japanese mini truck for transportation like I do every day, this comparison is all too painful. There's definitely something missing in the power department here, both from a stogie standpoint and from a vehicular angle. 

Metaphorical mild cigar comparison successfully conducted, all that is left now is to explain how it correlates to the power, privilege, and potent flavor profile associated with the Macanudo Crü Royale blend.

So prepare thy lips and pay tribute peasants! And please don't forget to kiss thy lordship's ring on your way out...

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Unlit Impressions

Get past the mental image of Vincent Vega discussing cheeseburgers on the way to a job (Royale with cheese, anyone?), and you will likely be struck by the appearances of this particular cigar blend. Not to mention its badass nickel and cobalt blue band.

It's an oily, slick-feeling stick, with nicely sized veins and few blemishes. Tightly fitted cap sitting snugly on one end, and a pungent foot on the other, the Macanudo Crü Royale brings it in regard to visual and olfactory appeal.

 Whiffs of milky cocoa powder, exotic tree nuts, and a spicy, earthy, slightly tart Habano wrapper mixture meets the nose. Cap cut, there's a more robust nutty flavor, and a sweet, chewy granola-like grain flavor. Things are looking pretty damn promising already...

Initial Smoke

Peppery at first light, the Macanudo Crü Royale calms down after a few quick puffs, leaving ample room for an intriguing cigar-smoking experience to take center stage. 

Medium in body and strength, but a bit more zestful when it comes to taste, the Macanudo Crü Royale favors suspense over action all the way up until you reach the heart of the first third. 

1st Half

Nuttier than a coked-up comedian caught in the throws of the Reagan era, the first third, and much of the second section of this blend says screw the peanuts, almonds, and pecans.

It's time to get right to the milky, meaty center of the matter. Brazil nuts, roasted cashew halves, and a dry hazelnut note form a winning trifecta for the palate to process.

If coffee flavors are present, they get muffled by the milky cocoa tastes created. Eventually being drowned out by a dark fruit flavor toward the finish that is both sweet and supple upon the tongue. A nice contrast to the earth and spice still whisking about.

2nd Half

 Although transitions in flavor do occur within the second half of this particular premium cigar blend, developments occur in other areas as well.

Smoke production increases exponentially once the final third becomes activated. The cigar feels a bit looser around its band too, a tell-tale sign that things are heating up, and to puff with controlled care.

Here, the taste buds detect a turn from a prominent tree nut flavor, to a much more habano wrapper leaf accent. Sun-grown spice accent the wrapper's silky smoke with a finish that is far more earthy than ever before. Cocoa powder pushes its way back onto the plate, along with a sweetness that is more generic brown sugar than anything.

Parting Puffs 

As the final third fades, a salinity suddenly strikes forth. It's a salty sensation that reignites whatever nutty notes were slumbering beneath the surface. 

Can o' mixed nuts in mind, and a chewy, malty pub ale taste providing a sweet dryness, this final transformation is a fun one. Damn, this stick is a pleasant surprise.

After smoking two Macanudo Crü Royale robustos within the span of a week, I can confirm that this transition was far more prominent within the second cigar. Delicious either way, this makes for a very memorable closing statement.

Ash / Burn / Smoke / Draw

Although the first cigar I smoked burned beautifully, the one I shot for this review required three touch-ups and was a bit of a tight draw toward the start. The other stick suffered from the same hard start but quickly became a construction rock star all the way up until parting puffs.

Smoke production was pretty average toward the center of cigars, with the finish of the problematic stick creating almost too loose of a draw at the end. The ash of both cigars held well and produced a mixed bag of various shades of salt and pepper with minimal flaking. 

Final Thoughts

This was easily the most memorable Macanudo experience I've ever had, and personally, I plan on adding this particular stick to my annual humidor rotation. It really is that much fun to look at and smoke.

And while construction qualms were my biggest concern with the Macanudo Crü Royale, it was the modest flavor transitions toward the first half of the cigar that left me wanting more. 

If General Cigar finds a way to get those earthy, cocoa powder notes to increase in presence, all those milky nut flavors will likely become even more pronounced. Thus elevating the Crü Royale from its place in the peppy 4-cylinder bracket to a full-blown inline turbo six status. 

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