Aaron brings his passion for wine and fine cigars to life in this exclusive collaboration, creating a smoking experience inspired by the nuance and complexity of winemaking.
Using French oak barrels that once housed Flint Knoll’s Royal Appointment Cabernet Sauvignon, select tobacco was carefully aged to absorb the rich, layered character of Napa Valley. The result is the Macanudo Estate Reserve, a cigar that echoes the depth and refinement of a truly exceptional Cabernet.
This unique barrel-aging process imparts a remarkable intricacy—melding subtle tannins, oak spice, and a luxurious finish that mirrors the elegance of Flint Knoll wines. It’s a smoking experience designed for connoisseurs of craftsmanship, whether from the vineyard or the cigar lounge.
Handcrafted at General Cigar Dominicana, the Macanudo Estate Reserve Flint Knoll blend showcases a masterfully curated selection of six tobaccos sourced from five distinct countries.
At first glance, the cigar is defined by its silky, Ecuadoran-grown Connecticut Shade wrapper—chosen for its golden hue, refined texture, and nearly imperceptible veins. Beneath this elegant exterior lies a proprietary Connecticut Broadleaf binder, cultivated exclusively for Macanudo. This binder underwent a unique barrel-aging process inside French Oak barrels previously used to age Flint Knoll’s Royal Appointment Cabernet Sauvignon. The result is a rich infusion of nuanced flavors—spice, vanilla, and toasted oak—that reflect the preferences of Flint Knoll proprietor Aaron Michaelis.
The blend is completed with a complex filler blend: Brazilian Mata Fina, Dominican Olor, Nicaraguan Jalapa, and Dominican Piloto Cubano. Together, these elements create an elevated smoking experience—layered, aromatic, and deeply expressive, much like the wine that inspired it.
The experience is consistently creamy on the palate and delivers hints of cedar, vanilla and toasted nuts over an undertone of charred oak which cascade to an indulgent finish.
