Review done by "Blues" from eHerf.com

Cigar: John Hays PA Broadleaf Maduro
Size: 6” x 47
Appearance: The wrapper looks smooth and oily, only one prominent vein is noticeable
Construction: Very well constructed for a machine made cigar. I would have thought this was hand-rolled if I didn’t know any better. No unusual soft spots, the tobacco feels evenly distributed throughout.
Cut used: Straight
Lighting Method Used: Triple-flame torch
Pre-Light Draw: Smooth





First off, this cigar was gifted to me, along with several others including some flavored, by the generous folks at John Hays Cigars. I guess T, the eHERF Admin and founder, worked something out and requested they send me a few to review. For that, I am grateful. I looked over the Natural and Maduro and immediately reached for the attractive and dark Maduro wrapper model.



The cigar is a beautiful looking, sweet smelling, and Maduro wrapper cigar. It is cellophane wrapped, no band, and had a quick-peel tab for easy removal of the cellophane. Per the company website, www.johnhaycigars.com , “John Hay Cigars date back to 1882, when W.W. Stewart obtained permission from prominent American statesman John Hay—later Secretary of State—to issue a brand in his honor. John Hay Cigars are still being made—one at a time—on century old, hand-fed machines. This cigar is made with all natural tobacco, using a Lancaster County, Pennsylvania Broadleaf wrapper, Pennsylvania binder and a medium-filler blend from Connecticut, Maryland and Pennsylvania—no homogenized products, short fillers or scraps are ever used. This all-American cigar is offered in boxes of 50 and sampler packs of 5.”

OK, time to smoke! I immediately note that this machine made cigar is not pre-cut like many. So I use my double bladed guillotine cutter to cut this dark beauty. As I take the first draw I notice how soft this cigar feels when left in my mouth. It’s not as firm as most cigars, but it doesn’t bend either. The initial few draws offer some sweet tobacco taste, a bit unusual from what I am used to. This tobacco tastes much different then the typical Nicaraguan or Honduran that I am used to. It offers a complex spice in the back of my throat, not the same peppery taste I find in other cigars.



As I continue to take a few more draws I pay closer attention to the amount of smoke this cigar produces. It offers a lot of body and a rich tobacco aroma, but requires a few short draws before offering a full mouth of smoke. I think this cigar is a bit wet for my liking, but I still find the taste to be enjoyable, but the cigar is burning a bit hot. I decide to let it sit a bit and cool down. At this point I also make a note to let the other Maduro dry box for a week before smoking it. These may burn cooler and offer some additional taste at 60-65 rH.

After letting the cigar sit for about 10 minutes I tip the ash, about 1 inch, and relight. The relight proves beneficial; the burn remains perfect and the volume of smoke improves. The spice in the back of my throat is rekindled. I don’t recall ever smoking an al Pennsylvania tobacco cigar before, or even a cigar containing any Pennsylvania tobacco. I find that this cigar is pleasant in it’s taste, but I am searching for some depth and complexity. Perhaps I should not be though, this is after all an all Pennsylvania grown cigar, offering heritage and history. I take a moment to visit the JohnHays Cigar website and read up on the history of this cigar.

As I take less frequent draws on the cigar, and sip on some ice water occasionally, I find that it is more pleasant. This cigar has more to offer if enjoyed slower than some other brands. I find it to be more consistent and less harsh. I’m not saying that this cigar has tasted harsh throughout, but when I take more frequent draws I find some harsher taste coming forth.



BOOM! The second ash doesn’t live up to the first, this time it falls at about ¼ of an inch. I touch up the burn because the ash dropping left a small cave in the cigar and looked to promote some burn issue in the next few minutes. I would rather correct this now, instead of later.

At about the halfway point I find the cigar to be opening up some. It offers more of that rich tobacco taste, but milder hints of spice. The ash continues to fall at about ¼ to ½ an inch. It is showing great promise as a daily smoke at a very affordable cost. I know of no machine made cigar, in the US, that smokes this well and offers good tobacco taste.



With 1/3 of the cigar left it has really developed. It offers much more depth and tobacco taste. It has reached its peak in taste and depth. The cigar started out offering a rich tobacco taste, but now offers a full and pleasant spice compounded with fuller body and sweeter tasting tobacco. For a machine made cigar I am surprised. It’s not too often one says they like a machine made cigar, but this has become a delight. I must restate that this cigar tastes and performs much better if smoked slower. You will be rewarded with fuller body, and tobacco rich smelling smoke.





Oh yeah, one more note…don’t try exhaling this cigar through your nose! Yeah, I did and it burned! The finish on the cigar proved a bit harsh. With less than 1 inch remaining I decide to pitch it. Overall I am impressed with this cigar. I look forward to sampling it again with some dry box time. I also look forward to trying the natural. Would I buy this cigar? Yes, I would pick up a 5er and see for myself if it suits my tastes. Would I buy a box? Not yet. I do believe that it has the potential to be much better with age and drying, but I would like to see for myself first.



With any cigar, one should taste it for their self before spending the money on a box. I do think this cigar is worth the money, at least for a 5er. Please don’t discredit the cigar solely based on the fact that it is machine made. This cigar has a very good price tag and can surely be placed in your rotation if you are looking for something affordable. However, there are a lot of great affordable cigars out there, so do yourself a favor and sample some.