When you see a cigar on the shelf at a cigar at this price you wonder, how good can this be and how can they make any money. According to the folks at El Artista, “They say money isn’t everything and they are right; this blend is priced so low you will question how we even make any money. The answer is: we make cigars, not money.” If the name El Artista sounds familiar it should because this is the same company that makes Big Papi cigars, and they are making a limited edition Firecracker for United Cigars as well.
The Buffalo Ten is available in 3 different wrappers and while we look at the Maduro today it also comes in a Connecticut and Natural both of which we will review at a later date.
Cigar Review: Buffalo Ten
Wrapper: Mexican San Andres
Binder: Dominican Republic Negrito
Filler: Columbia, Dominican Republic, Nicaragua, USA
Length: 6″
Ring Gauge: 50
Size: Toro
The Look: Packaged in no thrills bundles of 20, the Buffalo Ten has its name spelled out on the band over three lines. It’s simple, and the design prevents the name from rolling off the side of this sharply box pressed cigar. In the hand the cigar feels less than a 50 ring gauge due how much they are pressed and it reminds me of an old brand called Santos Miami due to the shape. The Mexican San Andres wrapper is toothy and very firm in the hand with no voids of tobacco. The wrapper is slightly recessed off the binder reminiscent of some RoMaCraft brands. The foot reveals a well packed cigar, more so then one would expect given the price point.
The Notes: The cold draw of the Buffalo Ten Maduro serves up notes of earth and spices such as cinnamon, nutmeg and clove. None of them are really overpowering, but there is just enough to make them identifiable. The aroma off the foot of the cigar sees some additional spices and tobacco components. Once the cigar is cut and lit, espresso notes appear from the first puff.
As we smoke the first third of the Buffalo Ten Maduro, espresso notes remain but begin to pull back some. Within the first quarter-inch clove and nutmeg begin to emerge with an abundance of earth and a subtle sweetness that lingers near the finish. As the first third comes to a close some floral notes join the mix as well. The retrohale of the cigar sees nutmeg and clove with a fairly long finish.
The second third sees notes of black coffee and earth serve as the dominant tasting components along with a subtle nutmeg and floral component. There is still a subtle sweetness holding on at the finish of the cigar that becomes a defined chocolate by the end of the second third. The retrohale sees the addition of some black pepper along with continued clover and nutmeg.
The last third sees the earthy notes kick it up a notch with continued black coffee and chocolate. At times, when the cigar is smoked slower the chocolate notes become dominant and border on fudge. The retrohale sees continued black pepper, nutmeg and a subtle clove.
The Finish: From start to finish, the cigar is consistent not serving up many flavor changes. It smokes remarkably slow and the burn on line on the wrapper is thin. Both of these caught my off guard because at the price point I didn’t expect aged tobacco or enough tobacco in the cigar to produce a great cigar smoking experience. At $4.50 per stick at the bundle price these are a no brainer. Since a lot of my friends like stronger cigars I will keep these on hand for when someone, or myself need a stick.
Score: 91
Price: $5.19 / $89.99
Buffalo Ten Maduro
Buffalo Ten Maduro Foot
Buffalo Ten Maduro Burn
