The Protocol Eliot Ness Maduro was consistently good through both cigars reviewed. The profile was more spice driven in the first third, dessert-like in the second third and chocolate and cream in the last third. After reviewing both the Natural and Maduro, I would say that I found the Maduro to be more consistently engaging through the entire smoking experience.
Monthly, we will put together a list of all of the cigars that were released, or announced to be released, in the previous month. This should give you an easy way to stay in tune with new releases.
The Drew Estate Undercrown 10 Toro was a good cigar. It was a little one dimensional, and a little heavy on the earth, but there were some flavors that popped out throughout. I would have liked for a stronger finish, and I think that would have made a difference in the cigar. I am interested in smoking the blend in a smaller vitola offering, and really seeing how it smokes all around.
I found the Padrón 1964 Anniversary Series Maduro Exclusivo to be a slighter better overall experience than the Natural, but it's still not something that really intrigues me as it is just a bit too heavy on the dark wood and earth to be enjoyable over the whole smoking experience. If you're a fan of the heavier wood and earth focused profiles, it's definitely something that may fit your wheelhouse.
The German Engineered NN01 was a curious dichotomy as it seemed to deliver on good flavors in the first and second third, although sitting back down to write the review I couldn't tell you what stood out for me for the profile or overall impression. I would smoke one of these again. The price should make these quite approachable for most smokers.
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!
Sunday Gravy will be a full-time line under Diesel, and will feature seasonally-released, Nicaraguan-forward smokes, blended and handcrafted through Diesel’s winning partnership of AJ Fernandez and Justin Andrews. Blends will be released quarterly, sold until their limited supply is deleted and offered at an unbelievable suggested retail price of less than $5.00 per cigar.
While there is a large segment of the smoking population that would enjoy this cigar, the Davidoff Signature 6000 is just a bit too basic for me. With the high price point, I just don't see returning to it, but if you're a fan of mellow Connecticut shades, it will likely be right in your wheelhouse.
Psychedelic Turtle II brings back the vibrant feel and turtle-pressed shape, now boasting high-grade tobaccos from the vaults of A.J. Fernández and his northernmost factory of Ocotal, Nicaragua. This includes selections from Nicaragua's Condega, Ometepe, and Jalapa growing regions, used throughout the filler. The recipe is bound in a Jalapa leaf and finalized with a Mexican San Andrés maduro wrapper.
The AVO Syncro Caribe focuses on the characteristics of the Caribbean. This dynamic cigar was blended to showcase a process we are calling ‘Natural Distribution’ in which the proportions of the tobaccos on any given plant is perfectly matched in the blending process. Specifically, the ratios of tobaccos from each priming are matched in the blend in all vitolas.
