Not a bad cigar, but nothing special about the blend. The Jas Sum Kral Toothpick 2.0 Connecticut is well priced, but the packaging and name aren't going to help it get over the finish line and win over consumers. I think smokers will pay the extra dollars for something more mainstream. There was some transitioning throughout, but the core flavor profile was just lacking. Nice construction, but again, not enough happening.
This Drew Estate Liga Privada H99 Connecticut Corojo Papas Fritas is a fun smoke that delivers a ton for what it is and how cheap it is. I loved the profile though, I can see some not caring for it, and I think the vitola is great. It is small enough to deliver the flavors of this blend and not have it become too much or monotonous. I have smoked a handful of these, and they are all great.
This JRE Aladino Limited Edition really has a lot going for it. I think if you changed the band and didn't tell consumers this was Honduran it would do even better. I'm serious. Great flavors with complexity and depth. Balanced throughout. Some transitioning, but it is not needed with the blend. Beautiful construction as well. Loved the growth on this cigar. I guarantee this will age well.
I was caught off guard by the flavor profile with this RoMa Craft Intemperance Volstead VO 1920 Noble Experiment, and I will be honest in saying that I did not think Skip had a blend of this nature in him. I'm a dick, but I will admit I was wrong. This was a balanced cigar, and a solid medium in strength and body. I loved the diversity of the tobacco in the blend, and it all came together to produce a uniform profile.
This Oscar Valladares The Oscar Connecticut Robusto was a great Connecticut blend. Balanced with a great core flavor profile from start to finish. Not overly complex, or showing a lot of transitioning, but this is an affordable cigar. The construction was perfect as well, so this was an easy and effortless smoke. No complaints. Nice creamy, earth, wood and sweet spice flavor profile.
Hot Cake Golden Line is a hit on many levels. I would not say it is overly complex, but a great value Connecticut that can be enjoyed by any level of smoker. Constructed perfectly, the HVC Hot Cake Golden Line Corona Gorda smoked cool with core flavors from start to finish. Yes, I will come back to this cigar. Yes, I can see this cigar becoming a regular in my rotation. Nice morning beach cigar.
The Connecticut definitely had some strength and body, and the flavors were darker than your typical Connecticut as well. It really captured that modern Connecticut. I have a feeling that the cigar will be softer in a larger format, and that may make those more appealing to me. Overall, the La Aroma de Cuba Connecticut Corona was a solid cigar.
This Casa 1910 Soldadera Edition Sampetrina was a nice Robusto and a solid Connecticut. I would say that it rode the Average/Good line in every category, but it continued to deliver so I had to go with Good overall. I would definitely smoke the cigar again, but at the price I wouldn't pick up a handful of them. Nice profile of cedar, hay, earth and cream.
This Don Pepin Vintage Edition Toro was an enjoayble Nicaraguan puro, and a great Corojo '99 release. I am going to be honest, I looked at this and compared it against any AGANORSA Corojo '99 release. I will be honest, it is superior to any AGANORSA Corojo '99 release. My Father is back and appears to be taking on the Nicaraguan puro market again. I like the Don Pepin reference with the name.
I enjoyed the Crowned Heads Mil Días Marranitos E648 LE2023 and I felt every aspect of this cigar made it box worthy. It is a fun smoke with an enjoyable flavor profile that fits in well with the summer and fall. It would even be a nice winter smoke depending on the circumstances. I would be interested in seeing how it ages, but I imagine it will mellow out some and the flavors will blend together even more.
