When I found out I was reviewing the J.C. Newman Brick House Maduro Mighty Mighty, I was genuinely excited. This is a cigar I’ve enjoyed, and I can’t recall a single disappointing experience. I am going to assume I’m smoking these cigars blindly and give an honest opinion on how the three samples in review turn out. As a reminder, since this is not a new cigar, it is not eligible for Cigar of the Year.
Let’s start with a bit of history. The Brick House cigar line by J.C. Newman was originally launched in 1937 using 100% imported Cuban leaf by the J.C. Newman Cigar Company. The Brick House brand was named in honor of Julius Caeser Newman’s childhood home — a solid brick house in the Hungarian countryside where his family lived in the late 1800s. That home served as the inspiration behind the brand’s name.
Like many cigar brands of the era, Brick House faced tough times during the Cuban Embargo, eventually leading to its decline, but in 2009, the Newman legacy was reignited when J. C. Newman’s grandsons, Eric and Bobby Newman revived the Brick House line using rich Nicaraguan tobaccos. Since then, it has earned its place as one of J.C. Newman’s best-selling and most beloved core brands, known for delivering exceptional quality at an affordable price.
The original Brick House blend features a Havana Subido wrapper with Nicaraguan binder and filler. The cigar in review will be the Brick House Maduro version which was released three years later. It keeps the same binder and filler, but swaps in a dark and flavorful Brazilian Arapiraca maduro wrapper — adding a whole new dimension to an already well-crafted smoke.
- Origin: Nicaragua
- Release Date: April 25, 2012
- Wrapper: Brazilian Arapiraca
- Binder: Nicaraguan
- Filler: Nicaraguan
- Factory: J.C. Newman PENSA (Puros de Estelí Nicaragua S.A.)
- Vitola: 6 1/4 x 60 (Mighty Mighty)
- Box Quantity: Regular Production
- MSRP: Box of 25 $205.88 / Single: $8.70
UNDER THE LID
As I remove the cellophane, the cigar has a Hershey’s Chocolate appearance to it. There are some areas that appear to have a lighter hue as I visualize the entire cigar. The Brazilian Arapiraca wrapper presents a dark somewhat oily look with the right lighting on it. It features a bumpy texture with prominent veins along the wrapper, giving it a distinctively rugged appearance that adds to its unique tactile appeal. The toothiness across the board explains why the bumpy texture is eye catching. It features a triple cap stacked on top to ensure to handle any cut desired.
There are two bands, one with the same traditional look with the name Brick House branded on one side in black. The colors beige, black, red and gold colors are the main colors. There is a secondary band that has been placed under the primary featuring the word Maduro. The aroma at the foot of the cigar was received as one of barn yard hay, rich leather and natural tobacco. I opted for a straight cut and the cold draw gave me the aftertaste of what I associate with a Crystal Malt Beer one that delivers sweetness and nuttiness. A slight squeeze determines a very well-constructed cigar with just a slight give in a few areas.
Performance Notes:
First Third: Because of the large ring gauge, I opted with a four-torch lighter which is not normally my go to, and I made sure I had plenty of time to smoke. As I began my journey and took my first puffs, I immediately remembered malt flavors reminiscent of that of a traditional kiln made caramel malt beer. After a few more puffs, the taste of a unique combination of bready, subtle nuttiness mixed with sweet caramel notes are at the forefront. The malt beer taste reminds me of a 20 oz draft beer I frequently enjoy drinking while watching the San Antonio Spurs at a local Sports Bar. The sweetness is balancing well. The profile deepens with toasted bread similar to the warmth and sweetness of a perfectly toasted slice of French Brioche bread, gradually merging with a gentle nuttiness that calls to mind roasted almonds.
Second Third:
As the Brick House Maduro continues, a creamy layer develops just like the smooth velvety sensation of milk chocolate melting in your tongue, adding a nice contrast to the underlying subtle black pepper I’m being introduced to. The caramel malt beer and almonds have faded to the background. The construction and the burn are near perfect, providing a nice smoke output. The ash stands out due to its unusually, almost light gray hue. It’s like a more subdued gray tone comparable to the deep color of a charcoal briquette after it’s been burning for a few hours marking a distinctive feature I rarely see in other cigars. As I retro haled, I’m reintroduced to the rich leather I received in the dry draw. The pepper remains subtle balancing the sweeter and creamier notes.
Final Third:
As I transitioned to the final third, not much changed. Chocolate notes are still present one that I am associating with the chocolate Nestle “Quick” powder mix my mother use to serve us as a child. The Nicaraguan tobacco did not give me the spiciness I was expecting; however, the subtle spice I did receive was a pleasant one that harmonized well with the sweetness it provided. The construction was on point and the smoke output was more than generous. The ash held well and no relights were necessary. Some reviewers may say this is a medium to full bodied cigar. I would rate it more as a solid medium, maybe medium plus at most.
- Core flavors: Malt beer, chocolate, almonds, leather, French bread, caramel natural tobaccos
- Strength: Medium
- Body: Medium +
- Complexity: Medium
Smokin Experience:
Not too strong for a novice and has enough flavors to compliment as a mid-day smoke for the more seasoned cigar smoker. The price point makes it fairly easy on the wallet for a premium cigar. I may just sit back and enjoy another Brick House Maduro Cigar for a nice relaxing almost two-hour smoke and listen to the 1977 song Brick House by the funk soul band The Commodores which contains the lyrics Mighty Mighty the name used for the vitola size. Wow, I’m remembering the famous Lionel Richie before he went solo to become one of the biggest pop stars of the 80’s.
I want to emphasize that we just don’t see many premium cigars at such an affordable price point nowadays. This cigar is worthy to have on your daily rotation. I recommend a box. Although a 60-ring gauge isn’t my preferred size, the experience was truly enjoyable and it’s one of those rare gems that proves you don’t have to spend a fortune to truly enjoy a satisfying smoke. A few points were deducted after weighing all three cigars, the variance was apparent while comparing all three vitolas and there are noticeable soft spots which signify inconsistent tobacco packing across the board and as a result giving it a variance in weight.
Purchase Recommendation: Box Purchase
Cigars Smoked for Review: Three
Average Time: Two Hours
