In 2020, Mo Maali of Patina Cigars and Claudio Sgroi of Mombacho Cigars added a maduro blend to the Patina lineup: the Patina Maduro Oxidation. For those who don’t know, patina is the oxidation process that occurs on certain metals that creates a greenish look (for example, the Statue of Liberty).
I’m a fan of Mombacho cigars and this was my first time smoking this collaboration Patina brand.
Blend Specifics
- Cigar Reviewed: Patina Maduro Oxidation Double Toro
- Wrapper: Undisclosed
- Binder: Undisclosed
- Binder: Undisclosed
- Size: 6” x 56 (Toro)
Appearance & Construction
The Patina Maduro Oxidation Double Toro is a large cigar with a dark wrapper and a raised vein running along the side. The cigar is stuffed with tobacco and has little give when squeezed. The roll is solid on this impressive sized toro. The foot smells of black pepper, hay and cocoa.
Flavor & Smoke Characteristics
After a straight cut, the dry draw produces raisin, forest floor and musty oak. Once my torch flame fires up the Patina Oxidation Maduro, I get grittiness which quickly transforms into berries and chocolate. Billows of smoke waft from the cigar rather quickly along with graham cracker and leathery notes that hit both sides of the mouth. As I take a retrohale I pick up bakers chocolate, leather and citrus through the nostrils. The burn line progresses straight with a solid white ash.
As the cigar progresses, bing cherry and milk chocolate emerge with a short, vegetal finish. There is a celery like character on the Patina Maduro that gives a grittiness and turns the cigar sour and bitter. Another retrohale delivers leather, black pepper and a tingling in the nostrils. Continuing on, the vegetal notes subside as coca and earth rise to the forefront and give a medium to full bodied sensation. The feel of the cigar in mouth is a bit overwhelming due to the weightiness of the filler tobaccos in the smoke. Despite this, I’m able to draw on it easily and graham cracker and yeasty notes swirl around leaving a vegetal finish.
Grit, dirt and earth dominate the final third of the Patina which gives the cigar a medium bodied rustic character. The burn and ash continue to be razor sharp as wood notes of oak and must appear with a ginger snap finish. Earth and wood intermingle, leaving a drying sensation on the palate. Even as the cigar winds down in size, the heft of the cigar still feels imposing.
The last few puffs of the Patina Maduro Oxidation Double Toro bring forth cherries, chocolate and leather with yet another short finish.
Conclusion
I’ve enjoyed Mombacho cigars and this creation from Mo Maali did not achieve the complexity of the Mombacho brand. That said, when the tastes came through they were quite enjoyable. The cherry, chocolate and leather complemented each other rather well along with citrus on the retrohales. In contrast, the finish on most of the cigar was short which was disappointing and the vegetal notes were displeasing on the palate.
The size and heft to the Patina Maduro Oxidation Double Toro was not to my liking as it wasn’t the most comfortable for me in hand. If you enjoy larger cigar formats then the Patina Maduro Oxidation Double Toro should be of interest.