History tells us that people willingly turn to all kinds of interesting substances and objects to cure all kinds of physiological, emotional and psychological ills. Some work better than others, and the Ventura Cigar Company seeks to provide the cure that beats ‘em all. Introducing the Psyko Seven Maduro, the cigar made explicitly for one purpose: to “medicate your mind.” Let’s see if the doctor’s orders do the trick…
Form and Substance
- Vitola: Robusto
- Wrapper: Mexican San Andreas
- Binder: Mexican Sumatra
- Filler: Ecuadorian Hybrid Seed, Nicaraguan Ligero, Peruvian Pelo de Oro Vera, Honduran Holancha Seco, Dominican Hybrid, Pennsylvania Ligero (Phew!)
- Dimensions: 5.5” x 50’
- Country of Origin: Dominican Republic
Aesthetics, Construction and Feel
Right off the bat, the Psyko Maduro catches the eye; yes, even after the large, genuinely clever medication label is removed. The wrapper is visibly rugged before it is even touched, with leaf stems and veins protruding rather prominently, cleverly distracting the smoker from the brilliance of the craftsmanship. The wrapper is so well put together that the seems are almost non-existent to the unstrained eye. Moreover, the wrapper suffers no damage or unraveling as it is cut with a dull punch cutter. This durable little robusto gives off a distinctive sour cold odor that takes me back to the first time I tried sourdough bread in San Fransisco. And to wrap it all up, the stick’s body is nice and cushiony, capable of being squeezed easily with no harm done to it.
Smoke and Flavor
The Psyko gets a head start in the race on the heels of a well-balanced draw and a nice, toasty flavor on the first third: free of any of the initial harshness or overpowering strength that maduros are occasionally susceptible to. The burn is nearly perfect, with only the most subtle anomalies in the evenness. The flavor begins to develop from light and toasty to sour and woody, recalling the sourdough bread found in the cold odor. While regular puffing is required to keep the smoke clouds thick, the grayish, dotted ash produced from the puffing holds its form resiliently despite bending noticeably.
The second third witnesses the ash bending at too high a degree for comfort. Normally I am one to push the ash to its absolute limits, oftentimes at the expense whichever unfortunate shirt and pair of pants or shorts I happen to have on at the moment, but the sharpness of the angle has me inclined to make an exception, so I cleanly nick the ash off without incident. The flavor continues to become more defined, with the sour wood maturing into sour oak. The sour oak is complemented by a fresh essence of spice, which sneaks in and lightly graces the tongue. The draw improves as well, becoming smoother and creamier as the second third progresses.
The final third sees the sour oak strengthen into bitter oak, making the flavor more concentrated and intense. A slight hint of sugar moves in and tempers the swelling bitter oak with a nice, sweetening sensation. Additionally, the long-absent toasty essence returns to further temper the bitter oak. The ash holds its form, and this time, it doesn’t bend nearly as severely; leaving me to enjoy the remainder of the cigar in peace. The Psyko Seven ends with a nice, dark, toasty finish.
The Final Verdict
Ventura have outdone themselves with the Psyko Seven. The craftsmanship is spot on, with results including, but not limited to, a consistently good draw, a diverse flavor profile, no canoeing problems, and an hour and a half well spent all in all. The relative bitterness inherent in the flavor may make it hard for some smokers to accept, but the effort and time invested into this stick ultimately speak for themselves.
Final Grade: A-
Tips for a Perfect Smoke Experience
- This maduro is a relatively hard hitter. While it may be smooth on the draw, the flavor can take you by surprise, so save it for a cookout, when you have a nice, juicy burger in one hand and a Corona in the other to back you up.