My name is Agent 8. My mission was to review the Nub Maduro 464 T. As an asset of The Cigar Spy agency, I promise to respect the A.S.H.E.S. code of honor. The information below is my debrief.

Target Name:

Nub Maduro 464 T

Target Vitals:

Wrapper: Brazilian Maduro
Binder: Nicaraguan
Filler: Nicaraguan
Vitola: 4 x 64 Torpedo
Strength: Full Bodied
Price: Around $125.00 per box of 24

Background Info:

Originally created by Sam Leccia and the Oliva Family as a theory to make a cigar that hit the taste sweet spot (1-2 inches into a standard sized cigar) right at the onset of a cigar, the Nub line has been a tremendous hit since it has arrived onto the market. The Maduro line was introduced this year in May at Nub Live tour events around the United States.

Mission Debrief:

I can remember the first time I saw a Nub cigar. My wife and I stopped by a local Tinderbox over a year ago to pick a few cigars and some wine. Spotting them in the cabinet that housed several other favorites, I turned to my wife and asked “Where is the rest of the cigar?” I didn’t purchase one that day but it wasn’t long before curiousity got the best of me and I picked up a few to try. I buy them today, if that gives anyone any indication if I like them or not. A few months ago, I got wind of the imminent release of the Maduro line via Twitter. Checking with my local shops soon after hearing of the announcement, no one had them in stock. I ended up getting my first one while I was out of town for a wedding, but as luck would have it, I didn’t get a chance to smoke it. Last week, I was able to secure a few from the Oliva Cigar Event at one of the local shops here in St. Louis for interrogation.

Giving it a physical look over, the cigar itself was really flawless. The Brazilian Maduro wrapper was perfect; no cuffs or cracks found on the wrapper, nor was there any extra globs of glue from the band. The band, with its chocolate-brown and gold hues, complemented the dark wrapper well. The stocky torpedo felt thick in my fingers, as it should with all Nubs.

Lighting it up, I was met with an effortless draw and an immediate hit of familiar maduro flavor. A rich, hearty flavor, but not too heavy. Hints of a dark coffee or espresso came to the palette as well. Thick white smoke was the byproduct from the draw. It seemed to hang in the air a bit longer than other cigars I have had the in past. The ash had a similar consistency as well: an attractive, white hue that held well to the end of the cigar until nudging in onto the ashtray.

I had an hour and 25 minute burn time with the cigar. Expect a longer finish as well; the thicker, maduro flavors stayed with me well into the next morning. The only issue I did have was the wrapper undoing itself from the torpedo side of the cigar. I do think that this was “operator error” in that my cutter is on the dull side and I could have gotten a cleaner cut.

Recommendations:

For any Nub fans out there, you should really get ahold of the Maduros. You can expect the same high quality from the Maduros as you would from the other lines of Nubs, as well as other lines from the Oliva family. You certainly can find me smoking these on a regular basis. Definitely a buy in my book!

- 8 -