Issue: Cigar Aficionado, Jan 01, 2013

Score: 91

General Cigar looked at its Macanudo portfolio and found a gap—it needed a medium-strength cigar. Macanudo Crü Royale is far stronger than Macanudo Café but not as powerful as Macanudo 1968, and it has several tobaccos not seen in traditional Macanudos. Like many of the big brands on this year’s Top 25 list, the Crü Royale has brought new dimension to the company portfolio by using a dark, flavorful Ecuadoran Habano leaf. General recently took this interesting blend and decided to roll it in a short, stout 4-inch by 60-ring- gauge size. Consequently, it wound up as the highest rated cigar from the Crü Royale line that we’ve ever smoked. Despite its dark, oily wrapper and thick ring gauge, the Poco Gordo draws and burns beautifully delivering leathery, nutty flavors, and a richness that isn’t ordinarily associated with the Macanudo line.

Issue: Cigar Aficionado, Apr 01, 2012

Score: 91

A squat cigar with some burn issues, but significant walnut and coffee flavors are brought together by a richly textured smoke