Brick House Commodore Maduro Review: Specs, Price & Who It's For
Brick House Commodore Maduro Review: Specs, Price & Who It's For
J.C. Newman Cigar Co. has started shipping a new size in its Brick House Maduro line: The Commodore, a 5½ x 70 vitola rolled at the company's PENSA factory in Estelí, Nicaragua. Here's what's actually in the box, what it costs, and whether it's worth adding to your rotation.
The short answer
The Commodore is worth a look if you already like Brick House Maduro's Nicaraguan-heavy blend and want that flavor in a shorter, faster-burning format. A 70 ring gauge cigar this length front-loads a lot of tobacco into a shorter smoke than the brand's existing larger vitolas, which is the whole point of the release — it's a deliberate answer to smokers who want a big-ring draw without the multi-hour time commitment.
Specs at a glance
| Spec | Detail |
|---|---|
| Brand / line | J.C. Newman Brick House Maduro |
| Vitola | The Commodore |
| Size | 5½" x 70 ring gauge |
| Wrapper | Brazilian Arapiraca Maduro |
| Binder | Nicaragua |
| Filler | Nicaragua |
| Factory | PENSA (Estelí, Nicaragua) |
| MSRP | $11.50 per cigar |
| Packaging | 25-count boxes, 5-count humidor bags |
| Status | Currently shipping |
Why a 70 ring gauge at only 5½ inches
Most 70-ring cigars run 6 inches or longer, which pushes total smoking time toward two to three hours. Brick House built The Commodore specifically to shrink that time commitment while keeping the wide draw smokers have been asking for — the brand describes it as a shorter, more accessible alternative to its existing Mighty Mighty vitola. If you like the idea of a fat ring gauge but don't always have a free evening, this is the size built for that.
The tradeoff of a short, wide format is a faster burn and a cooler draw than a same-blend cigar rolled thinner and longer — more surface area per inch of ash means more airflow reaches the coal. Expect a smoke that opens quickly rather than needing time to build.
Who this cigar is for
- Brick House Maduro fans who want variety. Same wrapper, binder, and filler as the rest of the Maduro line — this is a size play, not a new blend.
- Smokers who like big ring gauges but have limited time. The Commodore delivers the visual and physical presence of a 70-ring cigar without the multi-hour commitment of a longer version.
- Budget-conscious box buyers. At $11.50 MSRP, it sits well below flagship-tier Nicaraguan maduros while still using aged Brazilian Arapiraca wrapper leaf, which typically commands a premium over more common maduro wrappers.
It's a poor fit if you're new to cigars — a 70 ring gauge is a lot of tobacco to work through on a first stick, and the Nicaraguan-heavy blend runs medium-full. Newer smokers are better served starting with our best cigars for beginners guide.
How it fits in the Brick House lineup
Brick House built its reputation on being a reliable, mid-priced everyday smoke rather than a limited-edition chaser, and The Commodore continues that pattern — it's a production-line addition, not a one-off. If you haven't tried the brand at all, the standard Brick House Maduro Toro is the more common entry point; The Commodore is the move once you already know you like the blend and want the fat-ring format specifically.
Where to buy
Browse Brick House Maduro cigars at Famous Smoke Shop — we earn a small commission at no extra cost to you.
FAQ
How long does the Brick House Commodore Maduro take to smoke?
Expect roughly 60–90 minutes for most smokers, though a 70 ring gauge burns faster than its size suggests because of the wide airflow — it won't take as long as a same-length, thinner-ring cigar.
What wrapper does the Brick House Commodore Maduro use?
A Brazilian Arapiraca Maduro wrapper over Nicaraguan binder and filler tobacco, the same leaf used across the rest of the Brick House Maduro line.
Is the Brick House Commodore a limited edition?
No. It's a regular-production size within the existing Brick House Maduro line, sold in 25-count boxes and 5-count humidor bags, not a one-time release.
Is Brick House Maduro a beginner-friendly cigar?
Not ideally. The blend runs medium to full-bodied, and The Commodore's large ring gauge means a long, substantial smoke — better suited to someone who already knows they like Nicaraguan tobacco.
Conclusion
The Commodore is a straightforward, well-priced way to get Brick House Maduro's Nicaraguan flavor in a big-ring, shorter-smoke format. It won't convert someone who dislikes the blend already, but for existing fans who want a faster 70-ring option, it fills a real gap in the lineup.
Keep whatever you buy stored right. Use the Humidor Tracker to log new sticks, monitor humidity, and know exactly when each one is ready to smoke.