Spice, Sweetness, and Smoke: Mizunara Meets Maestranza

Purely by happenstance, this alliterative pairing came together. “Mizunara and Maestranza” was simply the result of scanning my humidor and whiskey shelf and grabbing what caught my fancy. But it turned out to be more than a pleasing caption — the combination of Barrell Bourbon Cask Finish Series: Mizunara and the RoMa Craft Maestranza Caballeria Valencia cigar proved equally pleasing to the palate.

The Maestranza line from RoMa Craft debuted in fall 2024. I’ve smoked a few of the sizes and found them consistently flavorful and enjoyable. The 6 x 53 Caballeria Valencia I lit up on a recent afternoon had been resting in my humidor for about six weeks, and it did not disappoint.

The cigar wears a dark, reddish Mexican San Andrés maduro wrapper over a Brazilian binder and a filler blend from the Dominican Republic, Honduras, and Nicaragua. Neatly box-pressed with a mild oily sheen, the cigar is somewhat heavy in the hand.

From the first draw, the profile settles comfortably into the medium-to-full range. A core of dark chocolate, spice, citrus, and black pepper drives the flavor, with subtle transitions adding depth. Notes of cocoa, wood, and nuts drift in and out, rounded by a hint of creamy sweetness that keeps the smoke engaging from start to finish. 

On the pour side, I reached for Barrell Bourbon Mizunara Cask Finish. I’ve revisited this bottle often since picking it up in summer 2024, though I’ll admit my first impressions were mixed. The grassy, woody influence of the Japanese Mizunara oak struck me as unexpected. Yet, as the half-empty bottle now attests, it grew on me quickly.

Bottled at a cask strength of 116.42 proof, the bourbon makes a bold introduction. The nose opens with sweet butterscotch and fruit, leading into a palate rich with vanilla and butterscotch, accented by dark cherries, dry nuts, and honey. It’s almost reminiscent of a boozy Christmas cookie, with cinnamon and ginger trailing pleasantly into the long, warming finish.

Together, the cigar and whiskey played beautifully — the Maestranza’s chocolate and spice dovetailing with the Mizunara bourbon’s sweet and woody complexity. Add in a cool, low-humidity evening on the deck, a good conversation with my wife, and it was about as fine a way to close the day as one could hope for.

Cheers!