AshMap
Overview
There is a quiet authority to the Griffin’s No. 300 Maduro. It is a cigar that does not shout for attention, yet once lit, it commands the room through sheer composure. This Toro, at 6.0 x 50, belongs to a lineage that traces back to the halcyon days of the Davidoff empire in Geneva, when Griffin’s served as a sophisticated European-market alternative to the brand’s more widely known stablemates. Though the brand has since found its home under the General Cigar umbrella with production at the storied La Romana facility in Santiago, Dominican Republic, the No. 300 Maduro retains a distinctly Old World sensibility—restrained, deliberate, and utterly assured. The Connecticut Broadleaf Maduro wrapper is a study in dark beauty: a Colorado Maduro shade verging on black, with a subtle oily sheen and minimal veining. That wrapper is the cigar’s defining signature, conferring a rounded sweetness that distinguishes it from the more aggressive, pepper-forward Broadleafs that dominate the modern market. Upon lighting, the first third unfolds with a velvety richness of dark cocoa and dried fig, layered over a gentle earthiness and a whisper of roasted coffee. The draw is generous; the smoke, thick and creamy. It is immediately approachable without sacrificing depth. As the burn progresses into the second third, the composition gains complexity. Cedar and leather rise beneath the chocolate sweetness, while a mild black pepper emerges on the retrohale—present but never intrusive. Toasted nuts and molasses deepen the mid-palate, creating a satisfying tension between sweetness and savory notes. The final third concentrates these elements into a harmonious finish of dark espresso, bittersweet chocolate, and seasoned oak. The sweetness persists, now balanced by a mild spice, and the cigar closes with a clean, lingering trace of cocoa and earth. Construction is consistently excellent: an even burn with minimal touch-ups, a slightly open to perfect draw, and a firm white-to-light grey ash that holds confidently before dropping. In an era when the maduro category has become an arms race of strength and intensity, the Griffin’s No. 300 Maduro stands as a quiet counterpoint—a medium-bodied Broadleaf that proves nuance and balance are not relics of a bygone era but virtues worth celebrating. It is a cigar that rewards the patient smoker, the aficionado who understands that power is not the only path to greatness. At a price point between $12 and $16, it represents an exceptional value in the premium tier: accessible enough for a weeknight, yet polished enough for a dedicated tasting moment. Griffin’s remains chronically underrated in North America, but for those who know, the No. 300 Maduro is a masterclass in restraint and craft.
Cigar Specifications
| Wrapper | Connecticut Broadleaf Maduro — Maduro |
|---|---|
| Binder | Dominican Republic |
| Filler | Dominican Republic long-filler tobaccos, aged |
| Country of Origin | Santiago, Dominican Republic |
| Vitola / Shape | Toro |
| Size | 6.0 x 50 |
| Strength | Medium |
| Price | $12–$16 per cigar |
| Tier | Premium |
| Aging | Tobaccos undergo a period of aging prior to rolling; specific duration not publicly disclosed by manufacturer |
Tasting Notes & Flavor Progression
First Third
The opening draws deliver a rounded sweetness characteristic of Connecticut Broadleaf — dark cocoa, dried fig, and a subtle earthiness with a hint of roasted coffee. The draw is generous and the smoke is thick and creamy, establishing an immediately approachable character.
Second Third
Complexity develops as cedar and leather notes emerge beneath the chocolate sweetness. A mild black pepper presence arrives at the retrohale without dominating, complemented by notes of toasted nuts and molasses that deepen the mid-palate experience.
Final Third
The final third concentrates the flavors into a satisfying blend of dark espresso, bittersweet chocolate, and seasoned oak. Sweetness persists but is balanced by a mild spice and a clean, lingering finish with traces of cocoa and earth.
Construction, Burn & Draw
Construction is consistently reliable from this Dominican factory — the burn is even with minimal touch-ups required, and the draw is slightly open to perfect, producing a firm white-to-light grey ash that holds one to one-and-a-half inches before dropping.
Pairing Recommendations
Spirit
An aged rum such as Ron Zacapa 23 or Diplomatico Reserva Exclusiva — the caramel and vanilla notes harmonize beautifully with the Broadleaf's inherent sweetness; alternatively a wheated bourbon like Maker's Mark 46
Wine
A fruit-forward Zinfandel from Lodi or a Petite Sirah — their dark fruit and cocoa-driven profiles mirror the wrapper's sweetness without overwhelming the cigar's medium body
Non-Alcoholic
A cold brew concentrate or a single-origin Ethiopian pour-over with natural processing notes of blueberry and dark chocolate
Who Should Smoke This?
The Griffin’s No. 300 Maduro is for the aficionado who values balance over bombast. It appeals to the seasoned smoker tired of the strength arms race, seeking a medium-bodied Broadleaf that delivers complexity without overwhelming the palate. The cigar is equally suited to the confident intermediate smoker ready to explore how a Connecticut Broadleaf wrapper can express sweetness and nuance rather than raw power. It rewards a 60–75 minute commitment—ideal for a relaxed afternoon or an after-dinner session. It is not a beginner’s cigar in the sense of being mild; its depth demands attention. But for those willing to slow down and engage, it offers one of the most refined maduro experiences at its price point. It is the choice of the connoisseur who appreciates that true craftsmanship whispers rather than shouts.
Bottom Line
The Griffin’s No. 300 Maduro is a quietly masterful Broadleaf Toro that proves medium-bodied maduros deserve a place at the top table. It delivers consistent construction, layered complexity, and a refined sweetness that eschews the category’s obsession with power. For the discerning smoker, this is a cigar that earns its premium status through elegance rather than excess.
Similar Cigars
Explore all Griffin's cigars.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Griffin’s No. 300 Maduro a strong cigar?
No. It is classified as Medium (3/5) on the strength scale. The cigar delivers a rounded, approachable body with no harshness or overwhelming nicotine presence, making it suitable for a relaxed session without the intensity associated with full-strength maduros.
What does Griffin’s No. 300 Maduro taste like?
The profile opens with dark cocoa, dried fig, and subtle earthiness with a hint of roasted coffee. In the second third, cedar, leather, toasted nuts, and molasses emerge alongside a mild black pepper on the retrohale. The final third concentrates into dark espresso, bittersweet chocolate, and seasoned oak, with a clean finish of cocoa and earth.
How long does Griffin’s No. 300 Maduro take to smoke?
Expect a smoking time of 60 to 75 minutes. The 6.0 x 50 Toro vitola offers a comfortable session suitable for a relaxed afternoon or an after-dinner pause.
What is the best pairing for Griffin’s No. 300 Maduro?
An aged rum such as Ron Zacapa 23 or Diplomatico Reserva Exclusiva harmonizes beautifully with the Broadleaf’s inherent sweetness. A wheated bourbon like Maker’s Mark 46 also works well. For wine, a fruit-forward Zinfandel from Lodi or a Petite Sirah mirrors the wrapper’s cocoa and dark fruit notes. Non-alcoholic: a cold brew concentrate or a single-origin Ethiopian pour-over with blueberry and dark chocolate tasting notes.
Is Griffin’s No. 300 Maduro good for beginners?
It is accessible enough for an intermediate smoker due to its medium body and creamy draw, but its layered complexity may be lost on a true beginner. New smokers seeking a mild introduction should start with a Connecticut-shade wrapper. However, for those ready to explore beyond mild cigars, this is an excellent step forward.
Where can I buy Griffin’s No. 300 Maduro?
The Griffin’s No. 300 Maduro is available through premium cigar retailers, both brick-and-mortar and online, that carry the General Cigar portfolio. Its availability can vary by region; check with authorized dealers or specialty tobacconists. Due to the brand’s historical European-market positioning, North American distribution may be more limited than other General Cigar lines.
What is the price of Griffin’s No. 300 Maduro?
The suggested retail price ranges from $12 to $16 per cigar, positioning it firmly in the premium tier. This pricing reflects the aged Dominican long-filler tobaccos, the Connecticut Broadleaf Maduro wrapper, and the hand-rolled construction at a renowned Dominican facility.
Is Griffin’s No. 300 Maduro worth aging?
The tobaccos are already aged prior to rolling, and the cigar smokes beautifully upon purchase. While additional aging may soften the mild pepper and further integrate the flavors, the cigar is well-balanced out of the box. If you choose to age it, a year or two in a stable humidor may yield subtle evolution, but it is not necessary for an optimal experience.
What wrapper does Griffin’s No. 300 Maduro use?
It uses a Connecticut Broadleaf Maduro wrapper, graded as Colorado Maduro in color—a deep, dark brown approaching black, with a subtle oily sheen and minimal veining. This wrapper is the primary source of the cigar’s characteristic sweetness of dark cocoa and dried fig.
Where is Griffin’s No. 300 Maduro made?
It is hand-rolled in Santiago, Dominican Republic, at General Cigar’s La Romana facility or an affiliated Dominican factory. The brand itself has historical ties to the Davidoff organization in Geneva, though production now operates under the General Cigar umbrella.