This week we welcomed Jim Price from CLE/Asylum to the show where we smoked the first cigar from the January Care Package. It’s the follow up to the original Corojo release which features two different formats of the same the same cigar in the same box. The Medulla is a round cigar, where the Oblongata is box pressed and today we review the Maduro version.
Cigar Review: Asylum Medulla Oblongata
Wrapper: San Andres Maduro
Binder: Honduras
Filler: Honduras
Length: 5″
Ring Gauge: 50
Size: Robusto (Medula)
The Look: Packaged in 50 count boxes the Medulla Oblongata features 25 cigars in the round and 25 cigars that are box pressed. The Maduro is the follow up to the Corojo release and this cigar utilizes a dark cigar band with the Asylum logo and tan tissue paper denoting Medulla for the round version of the stick. The San Andres wrapper features some signifcant veins and tooth to it, while the foot of the cigar is well packed.
The Notes: Once the cigar is clipped the cold draw has a strong dried fruit taste with some subtle marshmallow fluff. The aroma off the foot offers up some citrus notes. Once the cigar is lit the the cigar as a well defined citrus note and aroma.
As we smoke the first third of the Asylum Medulla Maduro notes of cedar become dominant with an abundance of earth. The citrus notes remain but they move toward the background as we approach the end of the first third. The retrohale offers some more earthy notes on a relatively short finish.
The second third sees the citrus notes disappear as the cigar becomes earthier. Around the half way point earth becomes the focal point with a touch of cedar that almost gets lost in the mix. The retrohale offers up some ginger notes and the finish of the cigar becomes pretty long and leathery.
The last third continues down the same path with an abundance of earth and leather. The retrohale adds some red pepper to the mix. The finish remains long and leathery.
The Finish: The Medulla was a gritty cigar that should be enjoyed by people who enjoy a stronger stick with earthy components. It lacks the complexity to be a memorable cigar, but it definitely isn’t a dud either.
Score: 89
Price: $7.00
Asylum Medulla Oblongata
Asylum Medulla Oblongata Foot
Asylum Medulla Oblongata Burn
