Micallef Cigars, from Weatherford, Texas, has released the Red in their unofficially named color series. This marks the third release in two years. The Red follows the Blue (released at PCA 2024 earlier this year) and the Black (released June 2023).
Produced at Micallef’ Cigars S.A. facility in Estelí, Nicaragua, the Red features a San Andres wrapper over a Pennsylvania Broadleaf grown-in-Nicaragua binder and a combination of Nicaraguan and Mexican fillers. According to Micallef, the San Andrés Habano wrapper brings out nuanced flavors of gentle spice and deep earthy undertones. The company says the Nicaraguan binder adds an earthy sweetness. Micallef has said the result with the Red will deliver smooth, well-rounded smoke.
OVERVIEW
VITOLA: Toro
SIZE: 6″ x 52
ORIGIN: Nicaragua
FACTORY: Micallef Cigars S.A.
WRAPPER: San Andrés Habano
BINDER: Nicaraguan Grown Pennsylvania Broadleaf
FILLER: Nicaraguan & Mexican
STRENGTH: Medium/Full
SOURCE:
Cigar-Coop.com
ENVIRONMENT
WHERE:
Home Lounge/Studio
WHEN:
9/21/2024 10am
DRINKS:
Seltzer Water
WEATHER:
N/A
HOW MANY CIGARS SMOKED:
3
PRODUCTION
RELEASE TYPE Regular Production
ORIGINALLY RELEASE DATE September 5, 2024
TOTAL PRODUCTION
Typical Box Size: Boxes of 25
Production Totals: (Not known at this time)
VITOLA BREAKDOWN
o Toro (6″ x 52)
o Robusto (5″ x 52)
BAND DESIGN
Rich red color with the embossed Micallef logo in glossy gold. One side of the band states Fabrica de Micallef Esteli, Nicaragua which is the factory. The other side of the band states Hand made by Gomez Sanchez family which is the family that rolls the cigar for Micallef.
PRE-LIGHT OBSERVATIONS
CONSTRUCTION
Solid feel with thin veins which give it an old school rustic, textile feel. Cigar is almost perfectly shaped.
AROMA
Sweet tobacco with the smell of chocolate on the foot.
COLD DRAW
Floral notes with a pleasant sweet tobacco taste that lingers on the palette.
SMOKING EXPERIENCE
LIGHT & DRAW
Cut: Straight cut with disposable double guillotine
Fire: Single flame torch
Initial light gives a solid earth note along with leather and a slight sweetness that lingers for a few moments. Draw is extremely smooth.
SMOKE
Really good amount of thick white smoke.
FIRST THIRD
>>Earth, Leather, Floral
A heavy dose of earth notes hits the palette hard, with a nice floral note that shines through. Hints of leather and dark chocolate are present as well. There is also a peppery note that is starting to develop in the background. The retrohale is of baking spice and semi sweet dark chocolate. Amount of smoke given off is very satisfying. The feel is solid and the burn is slightly off but, not to the point of needing a touch up. Strength is medium at this point while increasing slightly after each puff.
SECOND THIRD
>>Pepper, Earth, Black Tea
The floral note has given way to a black tea flavor as the cigar builds in strength. Earth notes are still well established on the palette with the sweetness of dark chocolate dancing in the background. The retrohale has a sweet and savory effect as if you crossed a salted caramel with white pepper. Cigar is well on is way to becoming medium/full in strength with the latest flavor transitions. Smoke output is great and draw is extremely smooth. Cigar feel is still rock solid and the ash is still holding on. Burn has corrected itself to the point that it is almost razor sharp.
FINAL THIRD
>>Charred Oak, Black Tea, Toast
The flavor transition has now brought us to the finale with a charred oak barrel note replacing the earth note. Black tea is still very much present with the sweetness that now resembles black licorice. Towards the end of the final third a toasted bread note emerges. The retrohale is baking spices with a slight sweetness, which seems to balance out the charred oak and black tea. Cigar is straight medium/full bodied and the ash held on to the beginning of the final third. Burn was still a little off but, nothing to be concerned about.
RATING & FINAL THOUGHTS
FLAVOR PROGRESSION
Flavor transitions on this cigar were plentiful and I am certain that I may have missed a few notes. Overall, the progression from the initial light to the end was quite the flavorful journey. The harsher flavor notes and sweeter ones were in constant balance, which I found extremely enjoyable. Then you have the retrohale notes… and as you would expect, they were very complimentary.
BURN EXPERIENCE
The cigar always had that solid feel and the draw was perfect, with a satisfying amount of smoke. There was a slight off burn which seemed to want to correct itself but, just wasn’t able to do it. Ultimately I had to deduct three-quarters of point for that but, that was the only real issue with this cigar. The burn was delightful and no touch up was needed so, I am grasping at straws if I am trying to be critical.
RATING BREAKDOWN
0.80 / 0.70 … Craft & Aesthetic
0.50 / 0.45 … Pre-Light Characteristics
0.50 / 0.50 … Lighting Process
7.70 / 7.00 … Smoking Experience
0.50 / 0.50 … Personal Enjoyment
COMPLIMENTS & CRITIQUES
- Many Flavor Transitions
- Solid Construction
- Slight Off Burn
Red Doesn’t Always Signal Danger!!
Micallef is swinging for the fences again with their third entry of the unofficial “color series”. With the medium/full or medium plus profile it may be intimidating to newer smokers to try but, at a price point of sub $10 msrp, it would be hard to pass up. The Nicaraguan grown Pennsylvania Broadleaf binder with the San Andres wrapper was quite the enjoyable combination. Micallef hit all the targets on this release in my humble opinion and I would definitely suggest giving the Red a shot.
Micallef is hitting out of the park with this color series. Exceptional construction of a premium cigar but for the price of a budget cigar. These cigars should be on everyone’s daily smoke list. Fantastic craftsmanship at a bargain price point. Give them a try.