Overview

The Crazy Face Gordo is Deadwood's velvet hammer — a cigar that swings a 60-ring fist while whispering sweet nothings of brown sugar and dark fruit. It enters the room like a character actor who steals the scene not by shouting, but by commanding the light. In a lineup that includes the curvaceous Fat Bottom Betty, Crazy Face is the one with the knowing smirk, the one who understands that accessibility isn't a compromise but a craft. This is a cigar built on the audacious premise that a $10 smoke can deliver the deep, resonant voice of a Connecticut Broadleaf Maduro without demanding a mortgage payment or a PhD in leaf provenance.

From the first cold draw, the narrative is set: this is a study in controlled indulgence. The pre-light offers a raisin-like density, a whiff of molasses, and the faint, dusty scent of a well-worn leather armchair. Once lit, the opening third unfolds with a deliberate, unhurried sweetness — not the cloying top-note of a flavored stick, but the deep, natural sugar of sun-baked tobacco. Dark cocoa leads, followed by a figgy dried fruit compote and a whisper of brown sugar that coats the palate like a fine dusting of powdered confectioner's sugar. The massive ring gauge works its magic here, pulling the smoke at a cool, languid pace that lets each note stretch out and breathe.

As the ash holds its firm, grey column, the second third shifts the narrative from sweet seduction to savory substance. The cocoa recedes slightly, making room for a robust espresso bitterness that grounds the profile. Cedar emerges — not the sharp, pencil-shavings kind, but a warm, toasted plank that has been gently kissed by flame. Beneath it all, a subtle barnyard earthiness and a soft, supple leather undertone add a savory complexity that prevents the sweetness from ever becoming one-dimensional. The retrohale introduces a mild, tingling spice — a gentle reminder that there is Nicaraguan muscle beneath this broadleaf suit, even if it's currently flexing politely.

In the final act, the Crazy Face tightens its grip. The heat from the concentrated ember coaxes out a charred wood note that mingles with the persistent dark cocoa and a lingering, almost jammy dark fruit sweetness. A mild black pepper emerges, not as an attack, but as a seasoning that sharpens the profile's edges just before the curtain falls. The cigar remains composed to the very nub — never turning harsh, never losing its fundamental character. It's a performance of remarkable consistency, a testament to the machine-bunched, hand-rolled precision that allows a cigar of this girth to burn so evenly and smoke so cleanly. This is not a cigar that asks for your attention; it commands it through sheer, unpretentious force of flavor.

Cigar Specifications

WrapperConnecticut Broadleaf Maduro — Maduro
BinderNicaraguan
FillerNicaraguan and Dominican long-filler tobaccos
Country of OriginEstelí, Nicaragua
Vitola / ShapeGordo
Size6 x 60
StrengthMedium-Full
Price$8–$11 per cigar
TierEveryday

Tasting Notes & Flavor Progression

First Third

Opens with prominent natural sweetness from the Connecticut Broadleaf — dark cocoa, dried fruit, and a hint of brown sugar. There's a mild earthiness underneath, softened by the large ring gauge's cooler combustion. Construction is relaxed and approachable from the first draw.

Second Third

The sweetness integrates with notes of espresso, cedar, and a subtle barnyard earthiness. The body fills out slightly, adding a pleasant leather undertone and a mild spice on the retrohale. Smoke production is voluminous and creamy.

Final Third

Finishes with lingering cocoa, toasted wood, and a dark fruit sweetness that persists through the nub. Some mild black pepper and charred wood emerge as the ring gauge concentrates heat, but the cigar remains controlled and smooth, never harsh.

Construction, Burn & Draw

The draw is effortless — almost too open for purists — consistent with a large-gauge cigar of this production style. Burn is even with a generous, firm ash; the 60-ring gauge ensures a cool, slow burn that rarely requires touch-ups.

Pairing Recommendations

Spirit

Bourbon — something with natural sweetness and vanilla like Maker's Mark or Buffalo Trace; also pairs well with a dark rum such as Diplomatico Reserva Exclusiva

Wine

Ports and late-harvest Zinfandels — the cigar's inherent sweetness echoes well against a Graham's Six Grapes Reserve Porto

Non-Alcoholic

A dark roast coffee with a touch of heavy cream — the cocoa and espresso notes in the cigar are mirrored and amplified

Who Should Smoke This?

Meet Daniel. He's a 34-year-old project manager who smoked his first cigar at a bachelor party five years ago and hasn't looked back. He's graduated from mild Connecticut shades to the point where he craves the depth of a maduro but isn't ready to wrestle with a full-throttle pepper bomb. It's a Saturday afternoon, the lawn is mowed, and he's got a bottle of Buffalo Trace and a clear 90 minutes ahead of him. He wants something that feels substantial in his hand, that delivers a rich, sweet-smoky experience without requiring him to dissect every note like a sommelier. The Crazy Face Gordo is his reward — a cigar that makes him feel like a connoisseur in the making, offering a gateway into the serious world of broadleaf complexity while still being forgiving enough for his palate. It gives him the confidence to explore darker blends, and the satisfaction of knowing he didn't have to spend a fortune to get a premium experience.

Bottom Line

The Deadwood Crazy Face Gordo is a masterclass in populist engineering — a sweet, voluminous, and impeccably constructed maduro that overdelivers at its price point. It's the cigar you reach for when you want depth without homework, and it earns its place in any humidor as a reliable, satisfying heavyweight.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Is Deadwood Crazy Face Gordo a strong cigar?

It's rated Medium-Full (4/5), meaning it has a noticeable nicotine presence that builds slowly, but the large 60-ring gauge cools the smoke and tempers the strength. You'll feel a pleasant, warming buzz by the final third, but it won't knock you over.

What does Deadwood Crazy Face Gordo taste like?

The profile is anchored by dark cocoa and brown sugar sweetness from the wrapper, evolving into espresso, toasted cedar, and leather in the middle, and finishing with dark fruit, charred wood, and a mild black pepper kick.

How long does Deadwood Crazy Face Gordo take to smoke?

Given its 6 x 60 Gordo format and cool-burning broadleaf wrapper, expect a leisurely 75 to 90 minutes. The large ring gauge ensures a slow, even burn that demands patience.

What is the best pairing for Deadwood Crazy Face Gordo?

A bourbon like Buffalo Trace or Maker's Mark is ideal. The vanilla and natural sweetness in the bourbon mirror the cigar's brown sugar and cocoa notes, creating a harmonious, dessert-like experience that doesn't overwhelm the palate.

Is Deadwood Crazy Face Gordo good for beginners?

It's a good 'step-up' cigar for a beginner who has already smoked a few milder sticks. The Medium-Full strength and 60-ring gauge can be intimidating, but the smooth, sweet profile is approachable. However, novices should smoke it slowly on a full stomach to avoid nicotine sickness.

Where can I buy Deadwood Crazy Face Gordo?

You can find it at most well-stocked brick-and-mortar tobacconists, as well as major online cigar retailers like Cigars International, Famous Smoke Shop, and Holt's. It's a popular everyday tier cigar, so availability is generally good.

What is the price of Deadwood Crazy Face Gordo?

The MSRP is between $8 and $11 per cigar, though you can often find it cheaper when buying boxes or five-packs online. This price point firmly places it in the 'everyday' or 'value' premium category.

Is Deadwood Crazy Face Gordo worth aging?

Not particularly. The blend is designed for immediate enjoyment, with the sweet broadleaf notes at their peak right now. While it won't fall apart, aging won't add significant complexity; it's best smoked within a year or two of purchase.

What wrapper does Deadwood Crazy Face Gordo use?

It uses a Connecticut Broadleaf Maduro wrapper. This leaf is known for its dark, oily appearance and naturally high sugar content, which is the primary source of the cigar's signature dark cocoa and dried fruit sweetness.

Where is Deadwood Crazy Face Gordo made?

It's crafted in Estelí, Nicaragua, at a General Cigar-affiliated facility. The cigars are machine-bunched for consistency and then hand-rolled, a process that ensures a flawless draw and even burn despite the thick 60-ring gauge.