Oscar Valladares Cigars once again went airborne in 2019 with their sequel to the Super Fly — the Oscar Valladares McFly. This smoke is inspired by the popular Back to the Future (1985) trilogy and the time travel misadventures of the main protagonist — Marty McFly.
There’s nothing subtle about the nostalgic packaging either, with its attempt to recreate the futuristic holographic trend that gained popularity in the 1980s. The appearance of the vibrant blue and purple box changes as the angle shifts and the light hits it. Even the font on the main band appears to glitter like gold, but it’s time to take a closer look at the cigar beneath the neon grid.
Dressed in a gloriously oily milk chocolate Mexican San Andres wrapper, this medium to full-bodied stogie covers a Honduran binder and a specially blended filler of Dominican, Honduran, and Nicaraguan tobaccos. Let’s travel through time and take our Oscar Valladares McFly Sixty cigar on a smoking expedition.
Brand overview
When Oscar Valladares struck up a friendship with Bayron Duarte, their combined experience in the cigar industry would inevitably lead to something. Oscar spent the best part of a decade under the headship of Rocky Patel, while Bayron had racked up 20 years of cigar experience working for General Cigars and Oliva Cigars.
Oscar Valladares Cigars operate from its boutique factory in Danli, Honduras, and first started running in 2012. Oscar’s brother Hector was brought in as a business partner, and together the trio has since forged a reputation for their unique, artistic branding and delectable flavors.
The McFly name may be a throwback for sci-fi lovers, but the time has come to take my taste buds on their own trip.
Cigar specs
- Country of Origin: Nicaragua
- Strength: Medium - Full
- Wrapper: San Andres wrapper
- Binder: Honduras
- Filler: Dominican Republic / Honduras / Nicaragua
- Sizes Available:
- Oscar Valladeres McFly Churchill (7 x 48)
- Oscar Valladeres McFly Sixty (6 x 60)
- Oscar Valladeres McFly Toro (6 x 52)
Cold draw
Before I jump into the pre-light draw, I should reiterate this is a shaggy foot stogie, meaning the wrapper leaf doesn’t extend all the way to the foot. Consequently, this leaves the filler and binder slightly exposed. Some connoisseurs liken it to getting two cigars for the price of one, as you get an insight into the tobacco’s flavor and aromas before they collide with the wrapper.
Heavy notes of barnyard, cedar, and leather pump from the wrapper and foot, with a candy-like sweetness also present. Cold draw puffs exaggerate the sugary sweetness, with some citrus hits thrown in for good measure.
First third
Lighting into the cigar, I’m not expecting a full flavor profile from the off (because of the shaggy foot). There’s a slight sweetness at the beginning of the first third, predominantly led by cedar and hints of cinnamon and earth. When the wrapper strikes, the profile carries a fresh dimension with a mixture of tobacco sweetness, almond, and vanilla, adding an intense sweet toasted twist.
This luscious taste is reminiscent of the notes one would expect from the Mexican wrapper. A slight white pepper spice hits home in the retrohale, playing off splendidly with the cinnamon and earthy tones.
Second third
The burn is still stellar as I soar onwards with the second third of my McFly. There’s an injection of heat as a lip-tingling habanero note mingles among the toasted sweetness, which is not as sweet as before.
Graham cracker also enters the fray, providing an upturn in nuttiness that balances well with the creamy, earthy, and woody nuances.
Final third
The strength hasn’t increased in the final third, but the white pepper is sharper on the finish, with the cinnamon, nuts, and tobacco sweetness taking turns as leader.
Flavors are still very cohesive, although a a rich oak note has replaced the creamier cedar that was prominent for large parts of my McFly experience.
Conclusion
Back to the Future lovers will know Marty says, “This is heavy,” many times throughout the trilogy. Although the body, flavor, and strength of the McFly only knock on the door of medium-full occasionally, it finds the sweet spot between brilliant branding and fantastic flavors.
The McFly is a one-time traveling blend you would be delighted to find in a time capsule and definitely deserving of an epic journey from cigars.com to your humidor.