My take on the much reviewed Mag 46

[LeafLover]

H. Upmann Mag 46 (10/08). My first love in the corona gorda vitola.

Prelight: Feels like a beefy cigar in spite of its 46 rg, veiny but not grotesque. Smell at cold revealed a touch of sweetness more pronounced at the foot. In fact, one of my simple cigars pleasures is to take the entire bundle of Mag 46's out from the cab, hold it with both hands, and smell the bundle at its feet. Tobacco aroma heaven!!! If someone can bottle that smell into a room air freshner, I'm all over it.

First third: Medium body from start to end, slightly spicy on the retrohale. Core leather flavors and a flavor reminiscent of sugar cookies are what I experience. Draw on this cigar was perfect. Most Mag 46's I've had had a perfect draw actually. What a fantastic start.

Second third: As the first third was fantastic, the second third was spectacular. First of all, the ash dropped off after an inch and a half. The burn on the Mag 46's are almost always trouble free for me with a nice conical tip, and a dirty grey ash. The flavors: leather and sugar cookies of the first third dissipate and the core flavor turns to sweet bread. To compare this flavor to an actual food I have eaten, I will say it is similar to the flavor of King's Hawaiian Sweet Bread. In addition to this sweet bread core, there is a gingerbread spice that accompanies it that is basically the icing on the cake for this leg of the cigar. These two flavors are well balanced and complementary.

Last third: Last third started off with same flavors from the previous second third. But, halfway through the third, all the great flavors went away. I mean, for some reason, I was just left with plain, toasty tobacco. Nice, but pales in comparison to the core flavors of leather and sweet bread in the first and second, nor its complementary sugar cookies and gingerbread spice.

The cigar ended quite un-spectacularly. Uncharacteristic of the cigar. Never happened before. Had me quite perplexed. I looked over and our family dog Simba and he had the same look. I laughed. It's okay though. The Mag46 has been very consistent for me. It always has me at hello. One of those cigars that when smoked, makes you say, "This is why I smoke cigars."

[cigcars]

Hey! Who's the cute doggie!

[LeafLover]

Hey! Who's the cute doggie!

Simba. Loyal and smart guard dog, and respectful of the house to boot. Rescued him 4 years ago 3 days before Thanksgiving.

[mbrody]

Thanks for the review! We should have Simba meet my dog Nala. Only about a 100 lb. difference...

The first Mag46 I had prompted me to IMMEDIATELY order four more boxes. That should say it all...

[Colt45]

One of my faves - thanks for the review.

[Mr.T]

One of my favorites too right now.....delicious review.....thanks! I think these have been consistently good.

[asmith]

Always enjoyed the Mag 46

[CanuckSARTech]

Nice review, Leaf. Sorry to hear your experience wasn't the greatest one - I too am a fan of the newer (post '06??) revamp of the Magnum 46's.

Good pics too - cute dog.

I see you have a Stinky ashtray - how do you like it? I was looking at getting one a bit ago, and just see-sawed about it, and just never got around to buying one. Do you like it (as simplified and functional as a cigar ashtray is??)

[LeafLover]

Nice review, Leaf. Sorry to hear your experience wasn't the greatest one - I too am a fan of the newer (post '06??) revamp of the Magnum 46's.

Good pics too - cute dog.

I see you have a Stinky ashtray - how do you like it? I was looking at getting one a bit ago, and just see-sawed about it, and just never got around to buying one. Do you like it (as simplified and functional as a cigar ashtray is??)

[/qu

Keith, best ash tray I've ever owned. Nice deep bowl to hold a lot of cigars and ash, although I regularly empty it out. Don't like to see a bunch of smoked cigars and ash in my ash tray. The stirrups hold the cigars very well. And, stainless steel gives it the sleekness that looks classy in your backyard and even in a nice cigar lounge. I have two of these ash trays actually in two places of my home.

[CanuckSARTech]

Cool. Thanks for the vote of confidence on those then. I may need to look for one again for a birthday present to myself next spring then.

Thanks for the feedback on it - helps my decision.