Macanudo Insiprado Orange

Macanudo Inspirado Orange is a cigar from the Macanudo Inspirado range. The product details don't give a wrapper, filler, strength rating, vitola or country of origin, so check the band and box for those specifics. The name points to the Orange blend within the Inspirado family, and Macanudo as a name is usually associated with a smooth, approachable style of cigar. Treat that as the expected house character, not a measured profile of this blend. For a cigar in this mild-to-medium territory, expect a gentle opening with notes along the lines of cedar, toasted nut, light spice and a touch of sweetness. Cigars like this tend to burn evenly and cool, and they reward a slow pace of roughly one draw a minute. Puffing faster heats the tobacco and flattens the flavor. Cut the cap cleanly, toast the foot before lighting, and rest the cigar between draws so the ember stays even. Keep it at a stable humidity, around 65 to 70 percent in a humidor, so the wrapper stays supple and the burn stays straight. Drink pairings should match the cigar's weight and avoid overpowering it. A neat or lightly chilled pour of a smooth aged rum or a mellow bourbon suits the sweet, woody side of a medium-bodied smoke. A short pour of cognac or a single malt with soft fruit and oak also works. An old fashioned, built with a sugar cube, bitters and an orange peel, picks up the "Orange" in the name without competing with the tobacco. If you prefer something lighter, black coffee, an espresso, or a dry sparkling water with a citrus twist all cleanse the palate between draws. For glassware, use a rocks glass or a short tumbler for spirits served neat or over a single large cube, since the wide opening lets the aromas sit alongside the smoke. A tulip-shaped snifter suits cognac or malt whisky better. Skip tall, narrow glasses, which tend to trap aroma and crowd the hand holding the cigar.