Cigar Review: Matilde Quadrata Robusto

Hello Cigar Smokers,
Today I'm smoking the newest addition to the Matilde line, the Quadrata. This cigar is the third release by Matilde and is blended to be inbetween the Renacer and Oscuro. This cigar features an Ecuadorian grown Habano wrapper with a Dominican binder and fillers from Nicaragua and the Dominican Republic. The Quadrata Robusto measures 5 1/4 by a 50 ring. This is the first Matilde cigar to be box pressed, which I think is a nice touch. The box and bands on this cigar are a matching shade of orange. I like how Matilde color codes their boxes, with the Renacer being natural wood the Quadrata being Orange and the Oscura is Green.  Like each previous release these cigars come packed in compact cabinet boxes of 20. The colors don't exactly contrast, but when they're in order they guide the eyes down the shelf. I think this is a nice courtesy to retailers, in my opinion many brands will make beautiful boxes that don't display well on a crowded humidor shelf.

 

I notice when I light this cigar up is is reminiscent of the Renacer, the main difference being the draw due to the box pressing. These cigars draw wide open from the start, but aren't loose. A definitely more open draw than the other Matilde cigars I've smoked. The first notes that really jump at me are pepper and caramel. Not to be confused with the Nougat notes I get from the Renacer, this cigar has more of a "punchiness" to it as opposed to the well rounded, smooth flavors of the Renacer. The last third of this cigar gives a woody note, reminiscent of cedar that finishes the cigar.While the Renacer and the Quadrata are both Ecuadorian Habanos, they are not the same cigar. The wrappers on each are the same shade, but the tobaccos in the middle change the flavors immensely. As opposed to the Oscuro, the Quadrata doesn't have the richness of the Oscuro. The Oscuro features a Pennsylvania grown filler with a San Andres Maduro leaf, which are notoriously rich tasting leaves. To distinguish each line with one adjective I would describe the Renacer as well-rounded, the Quadrata as punchy and the Oscuro as rich.

 

My final verdict on this cigar is that it is excellent and the perfect distance from the Renacer and the Oscuro. If you have tried either one of these Matilde cigars and both were lacking something you favor in a cigar, the Quadrata may hit the spot. I think this cigar is closer in flavor to the Renacer than the Oscuro, but each are different offerings. The Quadrata I think would pair very well with a scotch whisky, the caramel notes would go well with the malty qualities of a good scotch. The Renacer I would say pairs better with an Irish whiskey or Bourbon, something with more sweetness than the scotch. And finally the Oscuro would go better with a red wine or Cognac, as those really accentuate the richness of that blend. Either way I highly recommend the Quadrata to all smokers that prefer medium bodied cigars and don't mind a box press. I have a lot of new items in stock here, so I'm going to be posting more to keep up with new releases. Happy Smoking!