Leafy Times » LGAR Round VI: JR Alternative Macanudo Hyde Park

A few weeks ago when I did the inaugural LGAR post, I reviewed the Macanudo Hyde Park. I wasn’t overly impressed with that cigar and I rated it a 6 / 10. Unfortunately for me, JRCIGAR tossed in a JR Alternative with the shipment to try and lure me into buying their branded sticks. So I fired it up for today’s lunch time break to decide if it was at a 6.

I’ve had a few brushes with the JR Alts before. I’ve never been overly impressed with there taste. There OK for bargain cigars, but don’t fool yourself ever thinking that the JR Alt of a CAO Gold will be able to stand proudly next to the real thing. In fact I believe most of the JR Alts tastes the same, despite JR offering 204 different varities. They’re generally good construction, decent burn, and good draw…but they lack the heart of the their true counterparts. The subtle tasting notes that make a great cigar are always absent. Sure, it’s a flaming stick of tobacco that you paid pennies for, but that doesn’t make it the same. I’ve also noticed that they don’t disclose the origin of the wrapper, binder, or filler…so it’s hard to think of a Pardon alternative that is made in Mexico having the same taste.

Specifically, the JR Alt Macanudo surprised me at first. It wasn’t a bad cigar. It was nothing like the original. It had a really bitter after taste all the way through. It burned very hot no matter how long I let it rest. I made it to the half way point and pitched it. Life is too short for alternatives.

Leafytimes LGAR Rating: 2