Berger & Argenti Entubar Quad Maduro: 5.375 x 54
Up for review today is an unusual stick, the Entubar Quad Maduro. Wrapped in a rich mocha-colored wrapper, the really striking thing about these is a thin straw of ligero poking out of the middle of the cigar. Apparently, this is an older style of rolling cigars, set a middle rod up and roll the rest of the leaves around it. They chose to leave this center tube in place and protruding, I guess to make it stand out. And it does, it’s a nice looking cigar that catches the eye. These sticks were gifted to me. Lets get on with the review!
The scent on the wrapper is a sweet cocoa, but the scent at the foot is a zesty pepper from the ligero tube. There were a few chips out of the wrapper, but they didn’t cause any leaks and were merely aesthetic. It cuts and draws easily, and has a smooth, barnyard taste on the cold draw. Following the directions, I ignite all of the cigar’s foot at the same time, which fires up easily after I toasted it.
After a bit the cigar settles into a nice even cone shaped burn. The initial tastes are of cocoa beans, light pepper and an easy toasted tobacco taste. It starts with a barnyard finish. After a few puffs a seam burst on the wrapper. Ah, the perils of smoking in high heat and humidity. Still the smoke tastes great and the cigar is still delivering plenty of smoke, so no great disaster.
Into the second third, the taste was pretty consistent. It picks up a creamy smoothness and the ligero pepper dies out about halfway. Just an easy smoking medium bodied maduro here. There are a lot of toasty, grain notes, and there is a real depth of complexity. It really shines here and I am wishing it could stick with this profile.
As the cigar dwindles away, it loses its way a bit. The burn goes jagged and the smoke gets a little too basic. There is a strong hardwood smoke taste, but mostly, it just washes over the elegant tastes in the middle. The cigar isn’t bad, just not up to the great tastes in the middle. The smoke volume was awesome from front to back, though and coated the palate nicely.
Although I had two of them, they were both paired with dark stout beers, so I can’t really make any good recommendations. The stout was pretty good for it though you might want to do this with coffee I think.
So overall, I liked this smoke a good bit. It’s a nice blend, and it reminds me of some of the Padron maduros, which I also love. The burn was pretty good and the draw and smoke level is what you want in a non-cuban. My only real complaint is a flimsy wrapper, which is common among maduro stogies. Also, you have to love the unique style this thing has with its sharp box-press and wacky tube. So I think they have a winner here. Give them a try!
Looks/Construction: B+
Ash/Burn: B
Blend: A-
Taste: A-
Value: A
Final Grade: A-
Review by Matt O'Dwyer
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