Cigar World Deep Dive: Macanudo Emissary España

While tobacco originated in the Americas, the growth of the cigar industry has seen new forms of tobacco developed in places like Africa, Southeast Asia, and Europe. And as cigar companies have sought to innovate, more brands are looking to these “exotic” tobacco varietals for new releases. This is the case with the new Macanudo Emissary España. Take a deep dive with us as we explore the backstory of this intriguing new smoke.

Macanudo Emissary España Fast Facts 

Brand: Macanudo

Blend Breakdown

Wrapper:
US Broadleaf Claro (5-Year Aged)

Binder:
Nicaraguan Condega (6-Year Aged)

Filler:
Dominican Piloto (5-Year Aged), Colombian (5-Year Aged), Nicaraguan ASP (6-Year Aged),
Spain (10-Year Aged)

Sizes: Robusto (5 X 52), Toro (6 X 52), Perfecto (6 X 54), Churchill (7 X48)

SRP: $14.99-$17.99 per single cigar.

Factory: STG Danlí in Honduras

Macanudo Emissary España First Impressions

It’s not every day that you encounter a cigar with European — let alone Spanish — tobacco in the blend. Though Europe is a significant market for the cigar industry, relatively few premium cigars are made with European tobacco. One of the only examples you’ll likely find is CAO Italia (which contains Italian tobacco) and this new offering from Macanudo. (For the record, this is the first Macanudo to include European tobacco.) The Spanish tobacco in Emissary España was cultivated near Riolobos, Spain — an area known for its olive trees and pepper (paprika) fields. The Mediterranean climate is warm but primarily dry, and the soil is hard and rocky. While hard and rocky soil may not sound ideal for growing tobacco, the conditions stress the tobacco plant and yield a rich, oily, and flavorful leaf. 

The other striking feature of the blend is how long the tobaccos in Macanudo Emissary España have been aged. The Spanish tobacco alone has been aged for ten years, while other tobaccos, like the US Broadleaf Claro wrapper and the Nicaraguan Condega binder, are five and six years old, respectively. 

In terms of presentation, the box and band feature a royal blue and gold branding with the classic Macanudo crest. The box and the footer band both mimic the shape of the Spanish coastline. 

Interestingly, Macanudo is positioning Emissary España not as a limited-edition cigar or a one-off addition to their core lineup but as the first cigar in a series of Emissary products influenced by European sophistication.

Steve Abbot, Director of Marketing for Macanudo, said, “The inspiration for Emissary came from our search for a refined smoking experience influenced by European sophistication. Using Spanish tobacco to create Macanudo Emissary Espana, we are confident that we’ve delivered on this goal.”

Macanudo Emissary España Smoking Experience 

Macanudo Emissary España is a medium-bodied cigar with almond, caramel, and toasted cedar tasting notes. The flavor profile is nuanced and balanced, and since so many of the tobaccos in Emissary España have been aged for over five years, the blend has a mellow, rounded-out finish. 

The cigar burns consistently and evenly with a clean white ash. However, the burn is slow, meaning that smoking times for sizes Toro and larger will likely run past two hours. The draw is firm but not overly so, and the overall effect is pleasing throughout. 

Suggested drink pairings include single-malt Scotch, espresso, and cognac.

Macanudo Emissary España Final Thoughts

Macanudo is a famous brand in the cigar industry. Originally developed in Jamaica in the late 1960s/early 1970s, Macanudo gained popularity with a distinctive and revolutionary Connecticut Shade cigar, Café. In addition, Macanudo has also unveiled numerous innovative products over the years—most notably the Inspirado series, which includes Inspirado Orange, a one-time Cigar Aficionado Top 25 Cigar. 

Emissary España slots into the brand’s portfolio as a top-shelf smoke that should still be accessible to most consumers. It offers a unique smoking experience defined by aged Spanish tobacco, and for that reason alone, it is worth trying. However, experienced fans will likely find the balanced blend rich and rewarding in its own right. This is a fantastic cigar to enjoy during a special occasion, to gift to a friend or family member who enjoys cigars, or to pick up when you’re looking for something a little different. 

What did you think of Macanudo Emissary España? Sign up for Cigar World and let us know with a comment!