The CLE Maduro 11/18 is a beautifully crafted perfecto that immediately stands out with its bulbous shape and rustic charm. The dark Mexican San Andrés wrapper, slightly rough with moderate tooth, gives it a bold, earthy look that contrasts with the smooth draw it delivers. The construction is excellent, with a clean burn that held up even on a windy day, a testament to CLE’s craftsmanship.
From the first third, flavors of milk chocolate and cherries mingle with creamy roasted cashews, baker’s spice, honey, and leather, finishing with oak, earthy raisin, and a touch of graham cracker and peach. Bread-like notes emerge, reminiscent of French toast without cinnamon, alongside white pepper and vegetal hints.
As the cigar transitions into the second third, leather and heavy wood tones dominate while the cashew note remains, accented by light chocolate, vanilla cream soda, cedar, and a citrusy brightness. There’s a distinct dryness to the smoke, much like a dry red wine, adding an elegant texture to the profile.
In the final third, charred meat and lingering cherry evolve into a barbecue-like richness. The cashew note persists but now pairs with buttery hazelnut, vanilla, and sweet touches of animal crackers. Earth, oak, espresso, and nutmeg weave into the finish, with a slight white pepper bite. The strength picks up slightly here, but the overall body remains light to medium, making it approachable for any smoker.
This cigar delivers great flavor without bitterness or harshness, offering subtle transitions rather than dramatic shifts. It’s a blend that encourages relaxation, producing thick, satisfying smoke that makes it hard to put down until your fingers feel the heat. Box-worthy and versatile, the CLE Maduro 11/18 is the kind of cigar you could enjoy back-to-back—balanced, flavorful, and impeccably constructed.
Overall Score: 91.33 out of 100
Overall Strength Score: 4.61 out of 10
This blind cigar review (Cigar #25-B) was scored by a panel of cigar enthusiasts, including: Rev Eldon, Bill F, Jeff Endrizzi, Daniel, Jeffery Knipe, Chief16, Ryan M., Vincent Cammarata, Chris V, MI_Cigar_and_Drink, & Joey Bagodonuts
Price: $11.99 per single, $264.99 per box of 25
https://www.2guyscigars.com/cle-maduro-cigars
