La Madonna Negra Rothschild Box Press

The Leaf

• Wrapper: Connecticut Broadleaf

• Binder: Ecuadorian Habano

• Filler: Nicaraguan and Pennsylvanian

• Body: Medium+/Full

• Strength: Medium

• Personal Rating: 8.75/10 A Tale-Worthy Smoke - Grab a few, maybe even a box!

• If you like this, you might enjoy: Sin Compromiso by Dunbarton Tobacco & Trust, Foundation Tabernacle, RoMa Craft Neanderthal

What We Do Here

The beauty of cigars isn’t just in the smoke...it’s in the ritual, the memory, the lore. Each review starts with the basics: how it smokes, how it tastes, whether it’s worth lighting up again or buying a box. Then, for those chasing the full story, we peel back the layers,

deeper notes, subtleties, and the craft behind the leaf. At the end, we leave you with a little folklore to match the mood. Because around here, the smoke always carries a story.

Straight Cut:

This cigar looks really nice right away. Smooth, chocolatey brown, and the shape feels great in your hand. Before lighting, it smells sweet and a little musky, kind of like a good chocolate bar. The cold draw tastes like fresh cedar and some mild spices, nothing too complicated.

Once you light it up, you get a lot of smooth, sweet tobacco with a bit of chocolate flavor that’s easy to enjoy. The smoke is thick and creamy, and it fills your mouth nicely without being harsh. The burn is steady, and the draw is really smooth. Overall, it’s a relaxing and tasty smoke that’s perfect if you’re just starting out or want something straightforward but still flavorful.

Deep Burn:

When you dig deeper, this cigar shows off more layers. The first half brings bold dark chocolate and brown sugar, mixed with a touch of baking spice and a nice coffee like tang. There’s a subtle musk that adds character, plus some floral and spicy notes that keep it interesting. The retrohale adds a little black pepper and a fun cinnamon sweetness that reminds me of Cinnamon Toast Crunch cereal which is kind of surprising but really enjoyable. In the second half, the chocolate stays front and center but gets richer, with leathery musk tones joining in. You also get hints of espresso, cedar, oatmeal, and earthy hay that add nice depth. The strength and body stay smooth and medium-plus, so it’s never overpowering. The construction is solid, with great smoke and draw, though one cigar needed a quick relight. It’s a consistent and elegant smoke, perfect if you like something refined without a ton of surprises.

The Heart of the Leaf:

For my first time trying Black Label Trading Co., La Madonna Negra really impressed me. It’s easy enough for new smokers with its sweet, chocolatey flavors, but it also has enough complexity to keep experienced smokers interested. If you like a smooth, steady cigar that’s well made and not too wild in flavor changes, this one’s a solid pick. I’m definitely excited to try more from BLTC after this one!

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The Lore:

There’s something about La Madonna Negra that feels… different. Not just in the way it smokes or tastes (though it’s damn good), but in the way it sits with you. Like there’s a little weight to it. A presence. You feel it before the foot’s even lit. And if you’ve heard the stories about the Black Madonna, it starts to make sense. These dark-skinned statues have been showing up across Europe for hundreds of years, most famously in Spain, France, and Poland. They weren’t just religious art. People thought they had power. Real power. Some believed they kept towns safe from plague. Others claimed the statues healed the sick. There are even stories about spirits being sealed inside them, held in place by prayer and stone. And yeah, things get weird. People said the eyes would follow you around the room. That candles would flicker or go out when no one was near. Some even claimed you’d feel a cold wind pass over you when you stepped too close. Not exactly bedtime stories, but they stuck around for a reason. It’s that same kind of mystery that La Madonna Negra brings to the table. Right from the pre light, there’s this heavy sweetness, dark chocolate, musky earth, maybe even a touch of floral spice if you're paying attention. Once it’s burning, the smoke pours out thick and slow. And it lingers. Not in a cloying way, more like it’s got something to say if you’ll shut up long enough to hear it. This isn’t the kind of cigar that jumps all over the place. It builds. It leans into its identity. Strong, steady, and just complex enough to keep pulling you deeper. There’s confidence in that. Like a storyteller who doesn’t need to raise their voice. And when you remember what the Black Madonna was supposed to be, protector, healer, maybe even prison warden for something ancient, it makes sense. Smoking this thing feels like being let into a secret. Not all of it. Just enough to make you wonder what else is behind the curtain. So yeah, maybe it’s just a good cigar. Or maybe, you’ve lit up something with a little history burned into it. Either way, La Madonna Negra leaves a mark. And next time you smoke one, do yourself a favor, pay attention to the shadows in the room. Some stories are hidden in the smoke.

The cigars in this review were purchased by me.

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