The Macanudo Inspirado Brazilian Shade Toro was a fun cigar with a nice flavor profile. Not overly complex, it was balanced throughout. I loved the coffee, cream and lemongrass qualities throughout. A solid medium in strength and body, it is a cigar that many could enjoy at any time of day. Job well done!
I am not one of those guys that is crazy about the Avo Classic line. However, the AVO Classic Belicoso is lightyears better than the other vitolas in the line and I would revisit quite frequently. There is complexity, depth and transitioning throughout. Great to see them bring back this cigar, even if it is for a short time.
The Cohiba Serie M is the Cohiba I have been seeking for 10 plus years. This is almost a continuation of the old-school, and good La Palina Goldie offerings, but with a twist. The cigar delivered those amazing El Titan flavors, and it showed beautiful harmony between Nicaraguan and Dominican tobacco. There was complexity, depth and transitioning throughout. Packaging was amazing. Great cigar!
This was a fun little cigar and it delivered a solid flavor profile. Nothing impressive out of the Perla Del Mar Corojo Corona Gorda, but with the price it is a great little purchase. I really enjoyed the spice and stone fruit notes. I'm trying to remember the last time I had an Ecuadorian Corojo wrapper too.
The 601 Black Connecticut Toro is a very good cigar. It delivers Connecticut qualities, but with more complexity, body and strength. It brings me back to 2007/2008 when manufacturers and brand owners were delivering stronger Connecticut offerings. The days of "this isn't your father's Connecticut," and I love that. It has this old-school nouveua quality which I can get behind.
What a terrific blend. The Maya Selva Flor de Selva Year of the Ox 2021 showed complexity and depth throughout. There was nice transitioning and overall great flavor. The balance throughout was great and the cigar had my interest from beginning to end. This is a cigar I would come back to, and it makes me want to smoke past Flor de Selva releases I have enjoyed.
I was really pleased with the Davidoff Tampa Exclusive 2021. A very good cigar from start to finish. The flavors of cedar, cream, coffee and spice throughout were fantastic. It delivered those classic Davidoff flavors that you would get in the Anniversario or Signature, but with a lot more strength. It made me think of a lighter version of the Davidoff Chef’s Edition 50th Anniversary.
I was pleased with this Dunbarton Tobacco & Trust Red Meat Lovers 2020 and thought it showed depth and transitioning. This was a complex blend that showcased and benefitted from the tobaccos being used, wrapper to filler. This might be one my favorite Saka blends to come out of NACSA.
The Zino Platinum Crown Series Limited Edition 2020 was a nice cigar and another solid Zino release. It is not the best Zino I have smoked, but still a really good cigar. It is better than most, but slightly lacking when you look at Zino overall. Very nice flavors with good construction. I really liked the body and strength that came with the flavors.
If the Davidoff Year of the Ox smoked like it did in the first third throughout, it would have been amazing. One of the better zodiac releases in recent years, but still does not compare to some of the early smokes.
