The Crux Epicure Maduro Robusto pairs a dark Mexican San Andres maduro wrapper with a Nicaraguan binder and an aged all-Nicaraguan filler core. Blended with A.J. Fernandez and rolled at his Tabacalera AJ Fernandez factory in Esteli, it was the first Crux line to leave the company's longtime Plasencia home. In a classic 5 x 50 Robusto, it smokes medium to full and shows off everything a good San Andres wrapper can do.
Bitter dark chocolate and cocoa lead, backed by black coffee and rich leather. Red and black pepper give the cigar its edge, while heavy cream, salted caramel, and toffee round the sharper corners. Cedar and anise carry through the middle, and the finish leans earthy with a dried dark fruit sweetness.
This is the maduro counterpart to the Connecticut-wrapped Epicure, and it suits smokers who want richness and sweetness in equal measure. It is an excellent after-dinner cigar next to a bourbon, a porter, or a strong espresso. If maduro is your default, the Epicure Maduro Robusto belongs in your humidor.
