I picked up a box of the new 601 brand “Box-Pressed Maduros” last week. For those who don’t already know, the 601 brand of cigars is a relatively new creation by EO Cigars/United Tobacco, having been introduced at the August 2006 RTDA conference. They are blended by José “Don Pepin” Garcia and manufactured at his new Nicaraguan Tabacalera Cubana factory.

The Box-Pressed Maduro is the third and newest product in the line, introduced in late March 2007. The MSRP on these are $9.15 each, but I have seen them selling for around $8.00 at cigar shops here in Dallas.
An interesting note about these cigars: this is reputed to be the very first box-pressed cigar made by Don Pepin, as well as being his first regular production maduro (not counting some special Tatuajes or cigars made during his stay at Tropical).

I am actually enjoying one right now. They have a typical bold Nicaraguan tobacco profile, but aren’t nearly as strong or as full bodied as the Tatuaje or Don Pepin brand cigars; in fact, they remind me more of a Padron — another fine Nicaraguan puro — than either of the two aforementioned brands. The cigar is very earthy, perhaps a bit mushroomy, with a floral sweetness to it, common of many maduro wrapped cigars. It’s a very pleasant cigar. On a scale of 1-to-5, I’d place it at a solid “4″.

601 Box-Pressed Maduro (box of 20):

Note the factory and date codes on the box; very Cuban-esque:

Also Cuban-esque is the use of a Schmale-brand latch on the SBN box:

Open box of cigars (Robusto size):

The 601 Box-Pressed Maduro cigar and band:

If you like Don Pepin’s other creations, or enjoy Nicaraguan maduro cigars in general, then I highly recommend picking some of these up. No, it’s not one of his “top shelf” cigars, but it’s a very solid performer that you’ll no doubt enjoy.