Marcus Daniel, Inc. – We The People Maduro

I want to wish all of our friends and readers a very Happy 4th of July weekend! I plan on sitting back and reflecting on the freedoms that I enjoy, and, sadly, most of the time take for granted, this weekend with a cigar in hand. Stay safe and smoke it up!

At the young age of 23, Marcus Daniel entered into the dog eat dog world of the cigar business. His youth was no barrier to his success as he now has over 20 years in the industry and operates Daniel Marcus Tobacconist in Naples, Florida. Over the years, Marcus has developed an extensive portfolio of cigar brands. Today, I will take a look at the We the People Maduro in 7 by 50 Churchill format. An appropriate cigar for this weekend. 

Produced in Calle Ocho, Little Havana, Miami, We the People comes in two wrapper options – Ecuadorian Connecticut and Mexican San Andres Maduro. Available vitolas include: Coronabusto (4 ½ by 44), Robusto (5 by 52), Belicoso (6 ½ by 54), and Churchill (7 by 50). Prices range from $189 to $239 for the different vitola options and are sold in boxes of 20.

The Facts

Samples Provided by Daniel Marcus, Inc.
Price: $11.95 per single | $239 per box of 20
Vitola: Churchill
Size: 7 by 50
Wrapper: Mexican San Andres
Binder: Ecuadorian
Filler: Nicaraguan
Smoke Time: 1 Hour and 45 Minutes

Pre-light

The We The People Mexican San Andres Maduro wrapper has all sorts of colors going on. Ranging from medium tan to dark brown, this is by far not the prettiest leaf I have ever seen. The wrapper is marked with color variations, dark water-spots, a couple large veins, and some scattered bumps. From the foot to about an inch down, the cigar is extremely soft. The rest of the cigar is evenly filled and gives just slightly as I softly pinch it between my fingers.

The wrapper carries an aroma of hay, a generic woodiness, and a natural tobacco sweetness. The foot of the cigar shows off a much fuller aroma of chocolate, barnyard, earth, and a faint pepper. A shallow cut through the triple cup opens up a decent draw with just a hair more resistance than preferred. Notes of rich cedar and potpourri come across on the dry draw.

First Third

We The People Maduro opens with mild to medium profile of earth, coffee, a faint pepper, and a black cherry sweetness. The smoke production is just awesome as the cigar rests and from each small draw. At the one inch mark, the texture of the smoke becomes creamy in the mouth and the flavors pick up to a solid medium. The flavors are now darker with the earth and coffee gaining ground. The burn is edgy leaving behind a white ash that is flaky in appearance.

Middle Third

The smoke is extremely creamy in the mouth and I am loving it. The black cherry sweetness is right in-line with the darker flavors of earth and coffee and the flavors are coming across balanced on the palate. On the finish, woodsy notes push through along with a lingering pepper. Most of the burn is even with a small area is refusing to cooperate.

Final Third

The earlier creaminess has departed, while the flavors still remain in the medium range. A toasted quality has joined in, alongside the earth and coffee as the black cherry moves back in the profile. A touch-up was finally required in the last two inches of the cigar.

Wrap-up

Going into the We The People Maduro, I had no expectations as I have never smoked a cigar from Marcus Daniel. That may be the best way to approach a cigar. I am pleased to report that the cigar did not disappoint. While it did not live up to the full-bodied smoke that it is marketed as, the medium flavors and creaminess made this an excellent cigar for early in the day. The black cherry sweetness grabbed my attention and, even in the Churchill vitola,  I never became bored with the cigar. I believe the profile would pair up well with a cup of coffee to kick off your day. Based on my experience with this cigar, I look forward to trying the other offerings from Marcus Daniel, Inc. down the road.