The Story of Maestranza
Maestranza is part of the Selection Meerapfel family but stands proudly as a brand of its own. The name Maestranza evokes the romance of craftsmanship, mastery, and dedication to the art of cigar making. Created in Honduras, Maestranza reflects the philosophy of simplicity with soul — offering an honest, flavorful smoke that balances tradition, accessibility, and quality.
With its Honduran wrapper, Costa Rican binder, and Nicaraguan fillers, Maestranza delivers a harmonious profile: light spices, gentle wood, and earthy sweetness. Each vitola carries its own personality, but all share the same approachable, satisfying character.
Maestranza
Baron
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⭐ General Profile
Baron (Corona – ~42 x 130 mm)
The Baron is the classic Corona size — compact, elegant, and refined. It captures the essence of the blend in its purest form, ideal for a shorter, focused smoking experience.
Wrapper: Honduran wrapper, silky and smooth.
Flavor: Light spices, cedar, subtle leather.
Strength: Mild-to-medium.
Experience: A ~45–50 minute refined smoke with clarity of flavor and traditional elegance.
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Character & Intent
The Baron embodies the classic elegance of the Maestranza line. Compact and noble in character, it concentrates the blend’s essence into a refined, approachable format. Designed to highlight clarity and finesse, the Baron is ideal for those moments when time is limited but you still want a smoke with dignity, balance, and soul.
Tasting Journey (Third by Third)
Opening (First Third): The Baron begins with a gentle burst of white pepper and fresh cedar, immediately establishing brightness. The smoke feels silky and carries a hint of natural sweetness that rounds the edges. Retrohale introduces a mild spice without any harshness.
Middle (Second Third): Flavors broaden into roasted almonds, toasted bread, and a touch of light leather. A creamy undertone develops, balancing the cedar core. Strength builds slightly but stays in the mild-to-medium range, while combustion remains steady and clean.
Finale (Last Third): The profile deepens into cocoa, toasted grains, and subtle earthy notes. A faint sweetness reminiscent of honey lingers on the finish, keeping the cigar composed and elegant right to the end.
Craftsmanship & Burn
The construction of the Baron is firm yet responsive, producing a clean draw that requires no effort. The burn line is even, with ash stacking neatly in light-grey segments. The wrapper is Honduran, smooth to the touch with a soft natural sheen, reflecting careful fermentation and hand selection.
Pairing & Occasion
Coffee & Tea: Matches well with espresso, cappuccino, or lightly sweetened black tea.
Non-Alcoholic Refreshments: Sparkling water with lemon or chilled almond milk enhance its creamy finish.
Estimated Smoking Time: ~40–50 minutes.
Maestranza
Duque
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Maestranza Duque (Gordo – ~62 x 152 mm)
The Duque is the powerhouse of the line. With its large ring gauge, it delivers an expansive, cool smoke and lets the blend unfold in full complexity.
Wrapper: Honduran, thick and rich.
Flavor: Wood and pepper opening into leather and earthy tones.
Strength: Medium.
Experience: A long, slow-burning cigar (~90 minutes) with excellent combustion and layered character.
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Character & Intent
The Duque is the commanding presence in the Maestranza family. With its large ring gauge, it delivers a generous, cool smoke that allows the blend’s complexity to fully unfold. It is crafted for those who enjoy a longer, more expansive experience, where strength and refinement move hand in hand.
Tasting Journey (Third by Third)
Opening (First Third): Bold notes of cedar and black pepper open the Duque, quickly joined by earthy undertones. The draw is smooth, producing thick plumes of smoke that coat the palate with richness.
Middle (Second Third): The flavor broadens into leather, roasted nuts, and dark cocoa. A gentle natural sweetness appears, balancing the spice and wood. Combustion remains steady and the ash holds firm in thick, layered stacks.
Finale (Last Third): Strength rises to medium-full, with flavors deepening into espresso, charred wood, and a hint of molasses. The finish is long, structured, and composed, leaving a lasting impression.
Craftsmanship & Burn
The Duque’s construction is robust and reliable, with an even burn that requires minimal correction. Despite its girth, the draw is effortless, producing voluminous, aromatic smoke. The Honduran wrapper is thick, rich, and slightly oily, showcasing the meticulous fermentation and selection behind the line.
Pairing & Occasion
Coffee & Tea: Ideal with bold espresso, Turkish coffee, or strong black tea to match its intensity.
Non-Alcoholic Refreshments: Sparkling mineral water or lightly sweetened iced tea to refresh the palate during the long session.
Estimated Smoking Time: ~90 minutes.
Maestranza
Vizconde
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Maestranza Vizconde (Petit Gordo – ~60 x 102 mm)
The Vizconde is bold but compact — delivering intensity in a shorter format. A perfect option for those who want the Gordo experience but with less time commitment.
Wrapper: Honduran, well-fermented.
Flavor: Pepper, cedar, toasted nuts, earthy sweetness.
Strength: Medium-to-full.
Experience: A 35–45 minute concentrated smoke with remarkable construction and flavor density.
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Character & Intent
The Vizconde is the concentrated expression of the Maestranza blend. Compact yet bold, it captures the richness of the larger formats and compresses it into a shorter, more intense experience. Designed for smokers who want full flavor and presence without a long time commitment, the Vizconde is small in stature but grand in character.
Tasting Journey (Third by Third)
Opening (First Third): Immediate bursts of pepper and cedar greet the palate, with earthy depth anchoring the start. Smoke is dense and flavorful, creating intensity from the very first draws.
Middle (Second Third): Flavors transition into roasted nuts, dark coffee, and subtle cocoa. The profile feels layered, with strength rising toward medium-full while maintaining balance. Ash stacks tightly despite the shorter length, reflecting precision construction.
Finale (Last Third): The cigar closes with bold notes of espresso, toasted grains, and leather, accented by a faint natural sweetness. The finish is short but powerful, leaving a lasting impression well beyond its size.
Craftsmanship & Burn
Though compact, the Vizconde maintains excellent combustion and construction. The Honduran wrapper is well-fermented and slightly oily, ensuring a smooth draw and consistent burn. Smoke output is thick and aromatic, delivering intensity in every puff.
Pairing & Occasion
Coffee & Tea: Matches beautifully with a ristretto or strong black tea for a short, bold pairing.
Refreshments: Sparkling water with citrus or a lightly sweetened cold brew coffee to keep the palate refreshed.
Estimated Smoking Time: ~35–45 minutes.
Maestranza
Marqués
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⭐ General Profile
Maestranza Marqués (Toro – ~50 x 152 mm)
The Vizconde is bold but compact — delivering intensity in a shorter format. A perfect option for those who want the Gordo experience but with less time commitment.
Wrapper: Honduran, well-fermented.
Flavor: Pepper, cedar, toasted nuts, earthy sweetness.
Strength: Medium-to-full.
Experience: A 35–45 minute concentrated smoke with remarkable construction and flavor density.
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Character & Intent
The Marqués is the diplomat of the Maestranza line — balanced, versatile, and approachable. With its classic Toro format, it delivers the most harmonious expression of the blend. Crafted to showcase both nuance and consistency, the Marqués is ideal for those who seek an all-rounder cigar that works equally well for newcomers and seasoned aficionados.
Tasting Journey (Third by Third)
Opening (First Third): Opens gently with cedar, light pepper, and a touch of toasted bread. The smoke is creamy, introducing the blend’s smoothness from the start.
Middle (Second Third): Flavor expands into cocoa, roasted almonds, and a subtle dried fruit sweetness. Strength rises to a comfortable medium, maintaining balance while adding depth. The burn remains straight, ash stacking neatly.
Finale (Last Third): The cigar closes with notes of espresso, dark wood, and soft spice. A faint caramel-like sweetness lingers on the finish, giving the experience elegance and composure to the very end.
Craftsmanship & Burn
The Marqués is built with precision — firm in the hand, yet providing an effortless draw. The Honduran wrapper is smooth and silky, showing even fermentation and careful selection. Combustion is steady, with smoke output that is aromatic but never heavy.
Pairing & Occasion
Coffee & Tea: Perfect with a cappuccino, café au lait, or medium-strength black tea.
Non-Alcoholic Refreshments: Sparkling water with a twist of lime or a mild cold-brew coffee keeps the palate refreshed.
Estimated Smoking Time: ~70 minutes.
Maestranza
Conde
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⭐ General Profile
5. Maestranza Conde (Robusto – ~52 x 127 mm)
The Conde is a bold Robusto, rich and direct. It emphasizes the blend’s woody and spicy core while staying smooth and approachable.
Wrapper: Honduran, oily and firm.
Flavor: Wood, toasted bread, light pepper.
Strength: Medium.
Experience: A 50–60 minute smoke with dense aroma and consistent burn.
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Character & Intent
The Conde is the bold nobleman of the Maestranza line. In its Robusto format, it delivers directness, richness, and structure without losing the elegance that defines the brand. Compact yet substantial, the Conde is designed for those who want a cigar with immediate presence, steady strength, and satisfying aroma in a manageable timeframe.
Tasting Journey (Third by Third)
Opening (First Third): Starts with firm cedar and lively pepper, quickly settling into toasted bread and nutty undertones. The smoke is dense and aromatic, coating the palate evenly.
Middle (Second Third): The profile develops into earthy cocoa, roasted nuts, and hints of leather. Strength builds to medium, maintaining smoothness while gaining substance. Ash holds in tight layers, reflecting precise rolling.
Finale (Last Third): Deepens into espresso, charred wood, and a touch of molasses-like sweetness. The finish is strong yet composed, leaving a memorable impression without harshness.
Craftsmanship & Burn
The Conde is solidly constructed, offering a firm feel in hand with a smooth and reliable draw. The Honduran wrapper is slightly oily, showcasing careful fermentation. Burn is steady and consistent, with smoke output that is voluminous but balanced.
Pairing & Occasion
Coffee & Tea: Ideal with a bold espresso, latte, or full-bodied black tea.
Refreshments: Sparkling mineral water or lightly sweetened iced tea to refresh the palate.
Estimated Smoking Time: ~50–60 minutes.