This Dunbarton Tobacco & Trust 10th Jubilee is a beautiful cigar. The only two complaints that could be used against the cigar, and I don’t think these are truly justified, is the draw is too snug, and it is too strong of a cigar. The flavors are complex throughout, and there is so much depth with the profile of the cigar. The size of the cigar is beautiful, and the smoking experience is fantastic. I want to smoke another one right now.
The Rocky Patel Vintage 2003 Cameroon Robusto had an average flavor profile throughout, focused around toasted oak and earth with black pepper supporting. The flavor profile was pretty simple and didn’t provide any real excitement. Not a cigar that I’d really see myself revisiting.
I immensely enjoyed the first two thirds of the Avowed Hallowed Hands Corona Gorda. The candy sweet and creaminess and animal crackers mixed with cedar and baking spices was a winning combination that gave off dessert vibes. I'm not all that annoyed by the burn because I enjoyed the flavors so much.
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 Crux Passport Super Selection No. 2 is a cigar that shows some early intrigue but settles into a more straightforward, wood-driven profile. It’s consistent and well-constructed, but the evolution leans more toward simplification than expansion, resulting in an overall average experience.
The Arturo Fuente Curly Head Deluxe Maduro had an average flavor profile throughout, focused around slightly smoky, toasted oak and earth. This maduro version was definitely a step above the Natural as it maintained the average flavor profile throughout and never succumbed to the woes that most budget cigars suffer from, which is bitterness or heavy toast. While this isn't a cigar I'd really come back to, for those that smoke on a budget, this is a must try as it definitely punches above its price.
The Tradecraft Vitruvian Toro is a well-executed example of a traditional, lighter-profile cigar. It doesn’t aim to be complex or transformative, but it succeeds in delivering a consistent and enjoyable experience, earning its good rating through balance, construction and reliability rather than bold evolution.
A great first third featuring balanced cocoa, roasted nuts, minerals and leather with a nice medium full body. Unfortunately, the cocoa and roasted nuts tapered off on the last two thirds which made the experience go from good to average. Hopefully this CAO Flathead Speed Shop V654 Crankshaft is around five bucks so that I can just pitch it after the first third.
The Perdomo Double Aged 12-Year Vintage Connecticut Epicure had an average flavor profile throughout, with the toasted oak being the main driver. The supporting notes didn't elevate the profile as they contributed to a dryness that kept the enjoyment level down. Unfortunately, I didn't really detect any barrel aging influence, other than the unique toasted oak profile early on. Also, the dryness and construction paper that can be an attribute of Connecticut shade offerings played too large of a role. Not a cigar I'd see myself coming back to.
This Arturo Fuente Don Carlos Sangre de Toro Raging Bull was nothing special. A cigar showing good fuller body but with too much dryness and flavors that didn't really pop. It tasted like the vast majority of Mexican San Andres in the market where it's just that dirty, gritty, earthy rawness that just isn't my jam. As such, easy pass for me.