Sancho Panza Xtra Fuerte Madrid

For the price, you can't beat it. Paid $5 at the store, can get for under $3 online. For what its worth, CA ranked it one of the Top 25 sticks back in 2004. The spice is understated, and in my opinion, just perfect for the smoke. Certainly one to nub everytime.

I bought a couple 5 packs last year and really had no real opinion about them they were pretty non discript. But a year later these are really a fine smoke the ones I have are blooming to the point that my fingers and lips are brown but well worth the expense of enjoying this cigar. At light up it has a leathery slight pepper taste about a third it got a little more intense, and finished with a cedar leather . the ash stayed on at about 1/3 each time. the only knock it has a long finish so smoke them early in the morning!!

you'll probably think I'm crazy for saying this, but with two years age, this cigar shares many characteristics of the cuban H. Uppman no. 2, without the strength of course....I cannot smoke this cigar until at least the one year point, but two is so much better....complex one dimensional earthy and nutty flavors with mild underlying spicey notes...a good buy at $60 a box.

I got this cigar as part of a sampler, and from they way it looks i got a dud. i could never get it to burn even, the ash was very flaky, and the taste was very...bad, tasted like a cheap .30 cigar. I'm going to try another sometime

Okay, this review is from the same box I reviewed last december...I'm suprised at what grandfather time was able to do for these...the blends have married nicely into something that nearly makes this a different cigar altogether. Sanch got a makeover...I've got 16 left, and I'm glad I waited. Good value on a cigar, that has raised my oppinion on this very affordable smoke. Smoked two while floating the river last week...still fast burners, but I can't complain for the price.

I have bought a bunch of these babies over the last few months at different shops. Recently, I found a couple amongst the bunch that were larger ring gauge and a bit shorter - whereas they usually were pretty uniform in size. This one fatty was one of the best of the bunch. Each one of the cigars has always highlighted it's "peppery" taste. Usually, I really enjoy this , though in some of them the pepper sometimes is overpowering (or maybe my mood changes). The burn is usually flawless, but I did have some probs w/ 1 or 2. It can be consistently a delicious smoke. Always like a good box-press!! and nice smooth oily (somewhat darker) wrapper. I really enjoy this cigar and find it to be a great staple -ESPECIALLY for the price!!

I have 3 boxes of the Barcelonas and have waited quite a while to buy the Madrid at the right price. Now I know I'm better off with the Barcelona. The Madrid is good and if I had tried it first I might have 3 boxes of these instead. Nice and spicy with a good pepper/cinnamon/tobacco flavor and med-full stength. The cigar went out, or almost, 3 or 4 times. I only let them rest a couple of weeks before trying and hope to give a glowing review later.

For $3.50 a throw you gotta try these. I liked the small band (why do so many cigar makers feel they have to give you a band that you can write the grocery list on?) the look, feel, and most importantly the taste of this cigar. Slightly sweet smooth tobacco base with some spice and nut notes. I'd say the body is medium. What I did not like was the construction. Cigar was soft and lumpy in two spots. Draw was too loose. This stick burned ok but unexplainably went out 3 times. Smoked a bit hot and harsh and this took away from the usual smoothness of these. I guess for what you pay you are not always going to get perfect construction.

This is my favorite cigar not just b\c it is so good, but also b\c of the value. I keep at least a box in my humidor

The Madrid is a toro, not a torpedo-- and a nice one it is. A pressed stick with a rich smelling dark brown wrapper. Spicy and strong at first light, but quickly mellows into a billowing smoke that is not particularly fuerte. Burns well with a flaky ash. A rich aroma, nuts and wood, but I have to say I was expecting more from this big guy. The smaller size I sampled a couple months ago actually had more character, but this one ain't bad for the money either.

I think to be fair to this cigar, one would have to see it for what it is (not what it was advertised to be)...which is an incredibly mild and docile smoke...they are nice in the morning, with a hot cup of un-sweetened mild tea. Smooth and creamy all the way through, I didn't experience any harshness like some of the others who reviewed this smoke. Definately for begginers, I had hoped for more strength and flavor...flavors consisted of (powdered) cocoa, with VERY mild (and smooth) hints of nutmeg and cinnamon. The intentional box press could have been better executed. The wrapper was very attractive, though a bit on the rough side, but no bumps or unsightly veins...the draw was good for a tradional Marie Antoinette cut, the burn was decent (assuming you take the proper time to light it). I will be fair to this cigar, (I won't give it a bad review simply because it didn't match up to my personal preferences...it is a mild smoke with a slow start in terms of flavor, but IS very smooth and does become more interesting towards the end...if you make it there. If your tastes run toward the strong side, this one is Not for you.

Tasty, smooth, medium to fringe of full cigar here. I am in complete agreement with the other reviewers here. Especially density and Gaucho Grande. I too did not find this stick to be overpowering. I also found the draw too loose and the ash flaky. These were the only drawbacks to an overall solid, nice, flavorful, stick. IMO one of the better values out there right now at about 3 bucks a throw.

No. 19 in Cigar Aficionado's top 25 cigars of 2004. It's big, fat, and pressed, with a silky-smooth wrapper. Although the draw is rather loose and the ash is a bit flaky, it has an even and consistent burn and produces a LOT of smoke. It has a cocoa and creamy coffee character with some spice and chewy nutty flavors. It's sneaky strong as a buzz kicks in late in the smoke; a bit harsh towards the end as well. Still, there's a lot of cigar here for your money, making it one of the best values out there.

Don't be initimidated by the extra fuerte label if you are not a fan of "knock you on your can" full cigars- its not that strong- medium to medium full and well balanced flavor at that. An eminantly reliable smoke- and at 4 bucks its one of the best in this price range. Leather, mahogany and pepper- just beautiful.

I'm new to the cigar scene, developing my palatte, but this one stood out right away. Smooth and earthy, definitely spicy, but rounds out with a floral aroma. Hearty, but I didn't get any unwelcome buzz. At the least,... a must try!

There are better cigars out there, but for hte price and flavor, it will always have a place in my humidor. At $2.50 a stick, it can be an every other day smoke. Thick and rich with a nice ligero punch. Eat first.

A little spice, a little leather, a little cream. This is one verrry smooth and pleasent cigar. Not overpowered but very satisfying. The way a cigar should be at the end of the day. Throw on some Doobie Brothers, grab your favorite beverage and go sit on the front porch in the evening.

The box press construction is flawless as is the wrapper. The draw is perfect. A little flake, but a solid 1.5" hang.

I gaurantee you will not be disappointed with this cigar.

I don't know what's happened to my favorite, but the last 2 of these have made me VERY ill. Won't burn evenly and really nicotinic. I think they must be having some problems because these were the most awesome cigars BAR NONE up to 3 months ago.

This is one of my regular smokes. Nice with wine or beer but watch out for the buzz these give you. Very consitent and well made, great for a lover of a strong smoke.

Very smoth and spicy.One of the best value gar out thier.. Rich with no bitterness. Burns a little uneven but other than that awsome!

First, you've gotta love the density and solid box-press on this stick. And, yes, Sancho finally comes along with something to please the full-bodied enthusiast. Chewy smoke with strong hints of chocolate and even some cherry. The burn was also impeccable. Additionally, for around $5.00 a stick, this one's going to be a hit.

I love this one. pretty cheap and very full bodied. I'm a new smoker and didn't find this too harsh.

I heard some good things about the Madrid and was able to find it al 2.50 a stick. I am glad I made the purchase. A very distinctive flavor on a medium body. I have smoked many types of cigars but this one sticks out in flavor and value.

It hits and hits hard with a powerful but maduro edged flavor. Please be seated!

Very good cigar. A great buy for the money. Loose draw and full bodied. As a point of reference I also enjoy smoking La Gloria Cubana series r, Joya de Nicaragua antano 1970, ashton vsg, camacho corojo, gran habano corojo, partagas black, padron maduro

The madrid is an excellent cigar. It is a good medium bodied cigar with an excellent flavor. I have been smoking cigars for 3 months, and this is the best cigar I have ever had. All I have to say is that the Madrid is the Sh#t.

This is a cigar that really gives you aig bang for your momney.
The flavor is rich a smooth, a wonderful smoke!

Two things need to be clarified here, first this size is not a torp, nor is it a maduro, what it IS is a wonderful smoke for the money, big thick chewy & deelish! Honduran grown cuban seed wrapper, honduran binder & filler with a tweak of Nic. ligero.....luv 'um

An excellent smoke. Full body with full flavor. Hints of cocoa, coffee, and just a hint of spice. A very balanced cigar with few flaws. The dark wrapper says that you are in for one hell of a ride. appx. smoke time 1 hr. and 10 mins.