San Andrés wrapper · Medium
El Mago Pepe: flavour profile and cigars like it
El Mago Pepe is a handmade cigar made in Nicaragua. Its published strength is medium. It has a San Andrés wrapper grown in Mexico and filler from Nicaragua. The tasting notes in our sources point to cream, earth, pepper, cocoa and fruit.
If you like it, the closest matches in the palate test are Foundation Cigar Company The Wise Man Maduro and Tatuaje 10th Anniversary.
What does El Mago Pepe taste like?
- cream and nuts
- earth and leather
- pepper and spice
- cocoa and coffee
- fruit and floral
How strong is it, and what's in it?
| Wrapper | Mexican San Andrés |
|---|---|
| Binder | U.S. Broadleaf |
| Filler | Nicaraguan tobaccos |
| Strength | Medium as published by smokeinn.com |
| Body | Medium initially |
| Made in | Nicaragua |
| Made by | El Mago Cigars |
| Factory | MGE Cigars Factory |
| Sizes | Box-pressed Toro Tubo 6×52 |
Strength here means nicotine, which mostly comes from the filler. Wrapper colour is not a strength guide.
What reviewers say
- cigar-coop.com, Box-pressed Toro, 6 x 52 (2025)In our words: The review found coffee, berry, spice, earth, and pepper. Draw rated excellent.
- fr.halfwheel.com, Box-pressed Toro Tubo, 6 x 52 (2023)In our words: The review noted cashew and sourdough flavors. All three samples needed burn corrections.
Scores as published by the magazine or retailer, for the size named. Notes are our summary of the review, not quotes. We don't score cigars ourselves.
About El Mago Pepe
The line. Pepe honors Gonzalo Torre, called Pepe. Reported launch timing conflicts within one review source. fr.halfwheel.com
The brand. El Mago’s name combines Maria and Gonzalo Torre. Fusco created it after their 2021 deaths. Nick Fusco is identified as founder. Historical sources place production at MGE Cigars Factory in Estelí. elmagocigars.com
Cigars like El Mago Pepe
- Foundation Cigar Company The Wise Man MaduroClosest matchSan Andrés wrapper · MediumSame San Andrés wrapper family, also made in Nicaragua, less cream and nuts, about the same strength.
- Tatuaje 10th AnniversaryAlso fitsSan Andrés wrapper · MediumSame San Andrés wrapper family, also made in Nicaragua, less cream and nuts, about the same strength.
- Micallef AAlso fitsWrapper style not published · MediumAlso made in Nicaragua, less cream and nuts, about the same strength.
- A.J. Fernandez New World DecenioAlso fitsSan Andrés wrapper · Medium to medium-fullSame San Andrés wrapper family, also made in Nicaragua, less cream and nuts, about the same strength.
- Espinosa 601 Pennsylvania Edition Habano OscuroOne step furtherHabano wrapper · MediumAlso made in Nicaragua, less cream and nuts, about the same strength.
Picked by the palate test's own engine, as if you named El Mago Pepe as a favourite: never more than one strength step above it, plain tobacco only, one cigar per brand.