MIAMI CIGAR COMPANY NM80 RUKY

A NEW LINE COMMEMORATING NESTOR MIRANDA’S 80TH BIRTHDAY.

Nestor Miranda has been in the Premium Cigar industry since 1989, when he first released Don Lino and started Miami Cigar and Company (MCC) with his wife Mariana. In that time, Nestor has worked with many amazing cigar factories and has been involved in countless charitable causes. When Nestor reached his 80^th birthday, MCC decided to commemorate the milestone by introducing the NM80 blend which comes in three of Nestor’s favorite Vitolas, a Churchill, Figurado, and Lancero.

STATS

• Blend: Miami Cigar NM80 Ruky
• Vitola: Figurado 5 ^5/8 x 48/52
• Wrapper: Nicaraguan
• Binder: Nicaraguan
• Filler: Nicaraguan
• Weight: 13g
• Factory: My Father Cigars, SA
• Smoking Time: 01h 32m

PRELIGHT

The NM80 is a Nicaraguan Puro, which means all the component tobacco are sourced from Nicaragua and My Father Cigars, SA is the factory producing the NM80 line for MCC. This first NM80 review will focus on the Ruky, a Figurado which measures 5 ^5/8 x 48/52. Dressed in a red, gold, and silver band which also features a diamond motif, the cigar is quite striking and has an air of quality.

The wrapper used on the NM80 Ruky is a dark brown color. Smooth with very tight seams and minimal creeping veins. The wrapper has a nice slick sheen to it and the cigar feels quite firm, offering little give when poked and pressed. Being a Figurado, the cigar is thicker in the center, and both ends tapper inwards, the foot has a slight opening while the cap is topped with a pigtail twist of tobacco.

I had to work very hard to get a scent off the wrapper and foot of the cigar, my hand soap was overpowering the scent, but I finally managed to get an impression of warm hay and some wood. I opened the cap of the cigar with my Colibri V and was presented with strong fruit notes on the cold draw. The draw was perfect, open enough without being a distraction or a hindrance. I really liked the experience so far and it was time to light the NM80 Ruky.

FIRST THIRD

Cigars usually start good and trail off. I say that because my initial impression of the NM80’s flavor in this opening third was less than ideal but improved with each third.  The cigar was red pepper forward with notes of char and oddly enough, there was a tobacco used in this blend that numbed my mouth and caused extra salivation. The finish left my palate feeling warm accompanied by notes of leather, tobacco, and a floral component.

The NM80 Ruky easily produced lots of thick smoke, the smoke drawn was not warm at this early point and could not be blamed for the warmth felt in the finish. The smoke hung in front of you when blown out and danced away on the breeze. It was dense and palpable in the mouth. When retro haling, the smoke left peacefully with just a tickle on the way out.

Dealing with a Figurado, the tip is smaller and compressed, which could be why the flavors were less than stellar. The burn line was thicker and wavy, not what I wanted to see out of such a special cigar. I am happy to say that also improved as you will see below. The ash was grey in color and firm, it separated over an inch in and fell in the ash tray in a solid chunk. Rubbing the ash between my fingers revealed it to powdery with a slight grit.

SECOND THIRD

Things got interesting in the second third. The combustion line straightened out as it reached the thicker portion of the cigar. The flavor notes remained mostly the same. Reviewing my notes, I saw that leather, green vegetables and floral were some of the impressions I got. The cigar was smooth and the pepper in the finish was not very forward.

I did begin to feel a creeping hollowness in the pit of my stomach, this cigar had some strength and I had just eaten dinner, so I wasn’t smoking the NM80 on an empty stomach.

FINAL THIRD

As the cigar approached its end, the flavors took on a hint of milk chocolate along with the notes above. I need to inquire about the tobaccos used that may have caused the numbing in my mouth. The aroma of the smoke also had a sweet floral perfume quality that I found very pleasant. The strength continued and as I stood to clean up for the night, I felt a little lightheaded, so be sure to have a sugary treat or drink near by to offset the nicotine.

Construction on the Miami Cigar NM80 Ruky was excellent. The draw was open and allowed for a significant amount of smoke. The cigars flavors improved with the smoking progression, presenting wood, pepper spice, leather, and floral notes. The cigar packs a punch so be prepared for it and enjoy the cigar made to honor an industry legend. Total smoking time was one hour and thirty-two minutes.

The higher cost, early notes of char and the numbing sensation I had while smoking the cigar are going to keep the NM80 Ruky out of the 90s. The redeeming combustion and late flavor qualities will earn my recommendation to try the cigar for yourself. I am looking forward to revisiting the other two NM80 Vitolas and will share my thoughts on the blog when I do.