A few months back, I did a quick review on all of the Oliva 2nds blends that we carried and told you my favorite. It’s one of my shortest reviews ever, but has a ton of views. Since then, the review has become a little dated (we get new sizes and versions of their 2nds all the time), but it remains one of the most useful pieces I’ve penned. Two lessons from that write-up: 

1.) I write too much in these things. (Gotta put this Bachelor’s in English Literature to work somehow!)
2.) People like when you compare stuff. 

True scientific conclusions there. And as a man of the people, it’s my duty to take these lessons to heart. So, today, we’re going to take a quick glance at all four of the current Macanudo Inspirado releases, focusing on the latest blend to hit our shelves (Orange) and trying to help you decide where to jump in on this fan-favorite line. 

Let’s start with a little context: Inspirado is a relatively recent set of releases from the famed Macanudo brand. While they’ve long been known for their uber-popular Café line, Macanudo isn’t a one trick pony, and Inspirado proves that. By taking a more “boutique” approach to their blending and focusing on sourcing the best, aged tobaccos, they’ve produced a line of cigars that both small batch and big brand lovers can agree on. Without further ado, let’s check ‘em all out. 

Inspirado Black: Black was the Inspirado that arrived first on our docks, and my introduction to the brand. And at the risk of sounding corny, this one ain’t your daddy’s Macanudo. Weighing in at a medium to full-bodied profile, Black utilizes a proprietary growing technique to showcase a dark and oily Connecticut Broadleaf wrapper. Lighting it, you’ll find a lot of dark chocolate, accented by some black pepper and roasted nuts. Classic maduro. I’d happily enjoy one if somebody handed it to me, but it’s not my favorite of the lot: 3.5 out of 5 stars. 

Inspirado White: Oh yeah. Now we’re talking. Wrapped in a six-year-aged Ecuadorian Connecticut leaf, Inspriado White is the closest to the classic Café brand. But while Café remains smooth and mellow throughout, this is more of a “new age” Connecticut flavor. The creamy, toasty notes you love are there, with spikes of white pepper and cedar. An easy one to recommend, especially in the Churchill size. My humidor now always contains a couple of these sticks. 4.5 out of 5 stars. 

Inspirado Red: If you blindfolded me, I’d never, ever guess this is a Macanudo. Full-bodied, dark, and box-pressed, Red has more in common with CAO Flathead or Rocky Patel Decade than it does Café. But that’s not a bad thing! The fullest cigar to ever bear the Macanudo Name, Inspirado Red offers a bold mixture of dark fruit, red pepper, cedar, and leathery notes. A must-try, especially for the uniqueness of the product. 4 out of 5 stars. 

Inspirado Orange: My other favorite. To give you a peek behind the curtains here, we were accidentally shipped a ton of Inspirado Orange torpedos in a tube back when these were a retail exclusive, and (luckily) the folks behind Macnaudo told us to keep them. So I did what any cigar lover would – grabbed a couple handfuls and went to town. Spicy and complex without being overbearing, Orange delivers a flavor that reminds me most of Espinosa Laranja (maybe I’m just stuck on the orange theme here). Slight fruitiness mixes with a cedar spice, in a soft, creamy profile that’s just as good at 9 AM as it is at 10 PM. Another easy recommendation. 4.5 out of 5 stars. 

If you can only try one Inspirado, Orange or White are my frontrunners. From there, it depends on you – if you’re looking for the best cigar to accompany your morning coffee, White is a no-brainer. If you want a blend with a little more body that you can burn all day long, go for Orange. Or, pick up a 5-pack of each and take them all for a test drive… I’m sure you won’t be disappointed. These four Inspirado releases are truly some of the best Macanudo cigars to date.