McConnell's Original Maduro Robert McConnell's Original Maduro is a blend of deep, dark, heat pressed Virginia and Perique with a Navy Rum topping. The blend is surprisingly mild and slow burning and is perfect for those who enjoy a thick and palpable smoke with a simple Virginia Cavendish flavour. Maduro is the Spanish word for "ripe" and in tobacco terms that is achieved by allowing the tobacco to ferment to bring out the natural sweetness of the leaf.