Red Anchor is alive once more as United Cigar has partnered with the Kelner Family to blend the cigars. The Kelner family has not only had a wonderful and impressive history of cigar making in the Dominican Republic, but their roots are from Holland where Red Anchor began. They will give Red Anchor the attention and respect it deserves, making them the perfect partner in this project.
Overall, the flavor profile of the Villiger TAA 2021 Exclusive was fairly average. The cigar never really brought an interesting flavor profile, just one that is easily found in many cigars. Not something I really see myself coming back to.
The Protocol Bass Reeves Maduro delivered a palate intense experience in the first third that fortunately softened in the second third while still maintaining complexity and my engagement. The last third was fairly linear with a mostly wood forward profile, but overall this was a good cigar that I would happily smoke again. Having reviewed the Natural and the Maduro, I gravitate towards the Maduro and it isn't even a contest.
El Rey del Mundo, the legendary Honduran brand, welcomes its first limited edition cigar with El Rey del Mundo by AJ. The new expression is available in one box-pressed vitola and features a blend from AJ Fernandez.
The Oliva Serie V 135th Anniversary Edición Limitada was really good through the first half inch as the combination of flavors really fired on all cylinders. After that, things began to degrade as the earth played a bigger role and was average the rest of the way. Overall, I don't see this rendition of the line attracting me more than the regular V's.
Drew Estate has revealed the secret identity of the mystery cigar inside its latest Freestyle Live Event Pack ... the all-new Nica Rustica Adobe, the second expression in Drew Estate’s value-priced Nica Rustica line.
The Diesel Sunday Gravy San Marzano was about what I expected from the brand at this price point, a bundle type flavor profile. While the first third was average, it went downhill from there and isn't something that was all that enjoyable. If you're a Diesel fan or a bundle smoker, give it a try, but I can't see myself coming back to this.
This is the ideal Connecticut shade flavor profile I look for. Soft notes galore, with sweetness and creaminess upfront, and accented wood and spice notes. But I have a major gripe about this Rocky Patel White Label Toro. The price tag of $20 for a Connecticut shade is a bit ridiculous. But I'll push that aside and will weigh more on the actual (more important) flavor experience.
I haven't liked a La Palina release this much in quite some time. This La Palina 125 Años almost seemed like a return to what I loved about the glory days of the brand; well balanced, super flavorful and good construction. The only issue is, it held up the goodness for half the cigar. It is at least a step in the right direction.
Cherubs by Room101 and Luxury Cigar Club is the first Limited Edition offering available in Luxury Cigar Clubs Exclusives product line. Produced at Joya de Nicaragua, these Cherubs are Limited Edition cigars which are associated with the Johnny Tobacconaut story line.
