Casdagli Club Mareva Gran Mareva

Casdagli Club Mareva Gran Mareva

The Club Mareva Gran Mareva represents a unique collaboration between Jeremy Casdagli and Marko Bilić, founder of Croatia’s prestigious Club Mareva and home of the Cigar Smoking World Championship. During my visit to Split’s historic Venetian-era clubhouse, Bilić explained how he personally selected this blend during his 2016 journey to the Kelner Boutique Factory, seeking a profile that would serve as the perfect house cigar for international members. The result showcases Brazilian Cubra wrapper’s versatility, delivering creamy sweetness rarely associated with this tobacco when paired with carefully aged Dominican and Nicaraguan components.

• Classic 5 1/2″ x 44 gran mareva format honors traditional Cuban vitola dimensions
• Brazilian Cubra wrapper provides distinctive honey sweetness and exceptional construction properties
• Dominican binder from Kelner family reserves ensures structural integrity and balance
• Three-country filler blend combines aged Dominican Seco, Nicaraguan Viso, and USA tobaccos
• Medium to medium-full body delivers chocolate, cedar, earth, grass, and tobacco notes
• Features exclusive Club Mareva emblem on band, marking its status as official house cigar
• Box count of 24 cigars with 69% RH Boveda humidification for optimal preservation

The engineering considerations for this vitola reflect both tradition and innovation. The 44 ring gauge gran mareva format, sometimes called petit corona, represents one of Cuba’s most storied sizes, requiring precise bunching techniques to ensure proper draw through the narrower gauge. Brazilian Cubra wrapper, typically associated with budget-friendly cigars, undergoes extended fermentation at the Kelner facility to achieve the smoothness and complexity that defines this blend. The light tan coloration with minimal veining indicates careful selection from upper primings, where the leaves develop optimal elasticity and oil content.

The tobacco selection tells a story of balance and accessibility. Dominican Seco, aged between three and five years at the Kelner warehouse, provides the blend’s foundation with natural sweetness and smoothness. Nicaraguan Viso contributes body and spice without overwhelming the medium profile, while USA tobacco adds depth and richness typically absent from purely Caribbean blends. The Dominican binder, sourced from Kelner’s private reserves, acts as the perfect intermediary between wrapper and filler, ensuring combustion consistency while contributing subtle cream notes.

Smoking dynamics evolve gracefully through the experience. Initial draws deliver immediate honey and vanilla notes from the Brazilian Cubra wrapper, quickly joined by cedar and light pepper. The medium body maintains perfect balance throughout, never becoming harsh despite the inclusion of Nicaraguan Viso. Construction quality proves exceptional, with consistent burn lines and solid ash formation despite the narrower ring gauge. Multiple reviewers note the prominent chocolate and coffee notes emerging in the second third, while the final portion introduces oak dominance with reduced complexity. The retrohale presents white pepper and toasted bread without excessive heat, adding dimension while remaining approachable.

Summary

• Box Count: 24
• Region: Dominican Republic
• Strength: Medium to Medium-Full
• Binder: Dominican
• Wrapper: Brazilian Cubra
• Filler: Dominican (Seco), Nicaragua (Viso), USA

What makes Brazilian Cubra wrapper unique in this blend?

Brazilian Cubra typically appears in value-oriented cigars, but the Kelner family’s extended fermentation process transforms it into a premium component. The wrapper contributes distinctive honey sweetness and creamy texture rarely achieved with this leaf. Its naturally thin composition allows the aged filler tobaccos to shine while adding subtle vanilla and grass notes that define the Club Mareva profile.

Why was this blend chosen as Club Mareva’s house cigar?

Marko Bilić personally selected this blend during his 2016 Dominican Republic visit, seeking a profile that would appeal to the international membership while remaining approachable for newer smokers. The medium strength and balanced flavor profile make it suitable for various occasions, from morning smokes to competition practice. The traditional gran mareva format also honors the club’s connection to Cuban cigar heritage.

How does the pre-blend aging affect the smoking experience?

The three to five-year aging period for all tobaccos before blending creates exceptional smoothness and integration. This extended rest allows harsh elements to dissipate while natural sugars develop, resulting in the creamy honey character that defines this cigar. The aged Nicaraguan Viso provides body without harshness, while the Dominican Seco delivers sweetness without requiring additional fermentation.

What distinguishes this from other Casdagli lines?

The Club Mareva line emphasizes accessibility and balance over the complexity found in the Traditional or Basilica lines. While those feature rare tobaccos and innovative constructions, the Gran Mareva focuses on delivering consistent, approachable flavors perfect for daily smoking. The Brazilian wrapper also sets it apart from the Dominican Cotui and Ecuadorian wrappers used elsewhere in the portfolio.

How does the 44 ring gauge affect the smoking experience?

The traditional 44 ring gauge concentrates flavors while maintaining comfortable mouth feel. This narrower format allows better wrapper-to-filler ratio than modern large ring gauges, ensuring the Brazilian Cubra’s sweetness remains prominent throughout. The smaller circumference also produces cooler smoke temperatures, preserving delicate honey and vanilla notes that might disappear in wider formats.

What flavor transitions occur through the thirds?

The Gran Mareva opens with honey, vanilla, and light cedar from the wrapper’s influence. The second third develops chocolate and coffee notes as the filler components warm, with grass and earth emerging. The final third sees oak becoming dominant with increased pepper, though some reviewers note reduced complexity. The retrohale consistently presents white pepper and bread notes without overwhelming heat.

Is this suitable for competition smoking?

As the official house cigar of Club Mareva, home to the Cigar Smoking World Championship, this blend works excellently for competition practice. The consistent burn rate, reliable construction, and 60-75 minute smoking time make it ideal for timing exercises. The medium strength won’t fatigue the palate during extended sessions, while the balanced profile remains engaging throughout.

How does this pair with beverages?

The honey sweetness and medium body pair beautifully with morning coffee or afternoon tea. The chocolate and cedar notes complement aged rum or bourbon without competition. Several reviewers mention Turkish coffee as an excellent pairing, with the beverage’s intensity balancing the cigar’s creaminess. The grass and earth notes also work well with lighter spirits like cognac or armagnac.