When you’re preparing for a scotch tasting, in particular one held at a private home in the summertime, bringing along an accompanying cigar should be a priority.  Some tastings may even sell them at the event. For A Dram Come True, I chose to purchase what I was told was a good value Nicaraguan cigar at $12, Thomas Hinds Maduro Robusto.  Had the tasting itself required less of an initial investment, I may have chosen something more extravagant. As the tasting was coming to a close and the auction was taking most guests’ attention, we snuck away and took a moment to indulge.

Origin:Nicaragua

Build: Handmade with Ecuador Wrapper, Nicaraguan Filler

Format: Robusto

Size: 127 x 19.54 mm (5″ x 50)

Price: $12 CAN

Thomas Hinds is a very new brand in the world of cigars, having appeared only in 1995. The brand was created and marketed by Thomas Hinds Tobbaconists in Toronto.  The company produces both Honduran and Nicaraguan filler cigars, but both use the same Ecuador wrappers. This cigar is hand rolled and box pressed in Esteli, Nicaragua from Jalapa grown filler.

This Maduro cigar felt great, very firm and just a touch of oiliness. The wrapper smelt dark, like tar or sweet espresso. After lighting, the first 2 thirds were very consistent, with subtle sweet flavor of brown sugar and just a hint of herb. I find that Maduro cigars need to have at least a bit of this raw tobacco taste to hold my interest, otherwise the sweetness turns bland. The cigar burnt very evenly, although I could never seem to keep much ash on it. As I got further into the cigar, people started leaving the event and the air was getting colder. I started smoking the cigar a little too fast, but the stronger flavors were still pleasant, favoring the herbal notes over the sweetness.  On a side note, the scotch I chose to accompany this smoke was a disaster – Murray McDavid Macallan 1997. There was just too much sherry sweetness and with a similarly sweet cigar the scotch went totally bland.

.  For further reading, visit Thomas Hinds or view a typical list of available Thomas Hinds Maduros.