Macanudo Cru Royale Gigante

The cigar that redefined what Macanudo could be. Richer, fuller, and built for the smoker who has outgrown the Café.

Macanudo Crü Royale was released in 2010 at the IPCPR and blended by the legendary Benji Menendez under General Cigar in the Dominican Republic. Menendez and his team built the Crü Royale specifically to bring new dimension to the Macanudo portfolio, using an Ecuadorian Habano wrapper and a multi-country filler blend that had never appeared in a Macanudo cigar before. The result earned 91 points from Cigar Aficionado and sits firmly in the brand's hierarchy between the mellow Café and the powerful 1968 — stronger than either typical Macanudo smoker expects, but with all of the construction quality and consistency the name guarantees.

The Gigante at 6 x 60 is the largest vitola in the Crü Royale lineup and the widest and most generous format for the blend. Cigar Aficionado's Master Blender tasting note describes it as a cigar that "draws and burns beautifully, delivering leathery, nutty flavors and a richness that isn't ordinarily associated with the Macanudo line."

For regular Macanudo Café smokers stepping up in body, and for experienced smokers looking for a 91-rated premium cigar with genuine medium-body complexity from the Dominican Republic's most respected producer, this box of 20 cigars is the natural destination.

The blend includes:

1. Ecuadorian Habano wrapper, dark and oily with a reddish-brown complexion and fine veins
2. Dominican La Vega Especial binder, an exclusive Macanudo leaf known for its structural consistency and natural sweetness
3. Dominican and Nicaraguan Viso leaves combined with Brazilian Mata Fina long-filler for depth, body, and complexity not found in previous Macanudo blends

From the first draw, you will notice:

1. Light pepper on the open that calms within the first few puffs, giving way to the core flavor profile
2. Brazil nuts, roasted cashews, and hazelnut as the dominant notes through the first third
3. Milky cocoa and hints of licorice and cinnamon building through the second third
4. Leather, cedar, and a meaty, chewy dark fruit finish in the final third
5. A rich aroma throughout that consistently draws compliments from those nearby

The draw is open and consistent. The burn is even and slow. Smoke output at the 60 ring gauge is generous and cool, keeping the blend from heating up and preserving the nutty and cocoa notes through the full session. Each Gigante smokes for approximately 60 to 90 minutes, making it ideal for an unhurried evening, an after-dinner occasion, or any sit-down session where you want the blend's evolution to have the time it deserves.

Compared to other medium-bodied Dominican handmade cigars:

1. Ecuadorian Habano wrapper delivers a richer, darker character than the Connecticut Shade wrappers typical of Dominican blends at this strength
2. Brazilian Mata Fina in the filler is a premium and uncommon addition that adds sweetness and body without pushing the cigar into full-strength territory
3. 91 points from Cigar Aficionado places it among the top-rated medium-bodied Dominican cigars available
4. Macanudo's factory quality standards ensure consistent construction across every box

Compared to other Macanudo lines:

1. Crü Royale: 91-rated, medium body, Ecuadorian Habano, nutty and leathery, the richest everyday Macanudo
2. Café: mellow to mild, Connecticut Shade, creamy and gentle, the classic entry point
3. Macanudo 1968: medium-full, bolder Nicaraguan character, significantly stronger than the Crü Royale
4. Macanudo Maduro: medium, Connecticut Broadleaf, sweet and chocolatey, different wrapper character from the Crü Royale

This product is best suited for:

1. Macanudo Café smokers ready to take the next step up in body and complexity without moving to full-strength territory
2. Experienced smokers who want a 91-rated medium-body Dominican cigar with genuine multi-country blend character
3. Anyone seeking a long 60 to 90 minute session from a trusted brand at a price that justifies regular rotation

Key Features

1. Brand: Macanudo
2. Line: Crü Royale
3. Vitola: Gigante
4. Size: 6 inches x 60 ring gauge
5. Wrapper: Ecuadorian Habano (dark, oily, reddish-brown)
6. Binder: Dominican Republic La Vega Especial
7. Filler: Dominican Viso, Nicaraguan Viso, Brazilian Mata Fina long-filler
8. Strength: Medium
9. Flavor Profile: Leather, almonds, cashews, Brazil nuts, cocoa, licorice, cinnamon, spice, cedar, dark fruit finish
10. Smoking Time: 60 to 90 minutes
11. Origin: Dominican Republic
12. Manufacturer: General Cigar Company
13. Master Blender: Benji Menendez
14. Release: 2010 IPCPR
15. Rating: 91 points, Cigar Aficionado
16. Packaging: Box of 20