For the Cuban Cigar Factory Manolo Quesada Robusto, the cardboard started subdued but kept building to the point where it sort of ruined the other flavors. That really is too bad because there are some great flavors to the cigar. I'll put this on the back burner to revisit down the road.
Buttery, oily, rich with roasted nuts, bread, subtle confectioners sugar and creamed coffee wrapped up in medium strength and body. This is what is required to be an excellent long smoking experience. This type of experience almost makes me believe a cigar is worth nearly $40. I enjoyed every bit of the Davidoff Ginza 10th Anniversary and I hope to experience it again someday.
Overall, the Dondurma had a smooth delivery of flavors that are a bit of a deviation from the typical heavier and more rustic Saka blends. I would definitely smoke this again, but the near $16 price point is a bit steep. But nonetheless, a good cigar.
Nice flavors in the La Flor Dominicana TAA 50 Segunda Edición Maduro. Good dry cocoa and cedar up front with second tier flavors showing leather, nuts and hay. I'm still a bit surprised how mild it is for an LFD (and I like it). The medium strength and body complimented the flavors well. This one I'll smoke again.
A wolf in sheep's clothing. The Dunbarton Tobacco & Trust Polpetta, a fairly unassuming 4x48, but once you get to smoking it, the heavy handed strength, chewy and viscous body lets you quickly know it means business. But it's not just full body and strength without good flavors. I think it's worth going to the events to seek out a few of these.
A good and consistent cigar. I enjoyed the notes of sweet buttered bread, hay, dried nuts and baking spices, all wrapped up in a medium body and strength formula. With a smoking time of near two hours and a very attractive price point of ~$8, the Kristoff Shade Grown Robusto will no doubt be in the rotation of Connecticut shade offerings that I enjoy.
When I see a near $3 mixed short filler cigar, my main question is if it's worth the money based on taste and technical performance. The answer is a resounding yes. The Quorum Maduro Toro is one of the better cheap cigars I've had. Price aside, if I now ask whether the cigar was an overall good cigar, the answer is not quite. But given the performance based on price, for sure a recommend.
The Jeremy Jack JJ Forty Two was an overall average flavor profile and overall smoking experience. The cigar lacked depth and was linear the entire time. It would have helped quite a bit to have breaks from the earth and spice formula of red pepper spice and generic dry wood. Specifically, help from some sweetness and fruit would have made a big impact.
The Drew Estate Undercrown Shade Corona Pequeña definitely fits the bill for a quick 30-40 minute cigar that gets the job done. The flavors between spice and sweet citrus were in good balance and lasted just long enough for me to either be satisfied or entertain lighting up another one.
The La Unica Natural No. 400 was an average tasting experience. The profile felt a bit monotonous and could have used some more complexities such as greater spice. I can see myself smoking one of these in the morning with a cup of black coffee.
