The Viaje Birthday Blend Gold 2022 started well and I was enjoying the punchiness of the spice. In the second third, when the spice mellowed and the earth gained a bigger role, the profile dropped a level and maintained that the rest of the way. This cigar is a step up from some of the more recent Viaje's I've smoked, but still not a level of something I'd come back to all that often.
The Viaje Circa ’45 Reserva Edición Limitada was a pretty average flavor experience, and when you factor in the price tag, I'd say a disappointing delivery for a Limitada release. I would not smoke this cigar again, there are numerous other Viaje offerings that are more affordable and provide a significantly better flavor experience.
The Viaje Skull and Bones Daisy Cutter 2020 was overall a good experience. With a name like Skull and Bones Daisy Cutter you expect some flavor intensity and spice, and the cigar delivers that without being unbalanced. The profile falls right in my wheelhouse and I would smoke these again.
The Viaje Skull and Bones The Hulk was an overall good experience, with the best portions coming in the first and second thirds. Flavors were complex and included baking spices, sweetness, graham cracker, spicy cedar, bread, coffee and tannins. The natural comparison will be The Hulk versus Bruce Banner. Between the two, I prefer The Hulk as I found the flavors to be more complex and balanced.
The Viaje Skull and Bones Bruce Banner was a bit of a polarizing cigar. There were some good Aganorsa like qualities to the cigar (nuttiness, good spice levels), but as a whole it was unbalanced and sharp. Especially on the finish, the cigar lacked depth and didn't do a good job of pulling it together with dry red pepper spice and burning paper note. I'll have to pass on this one and hope that The Hulk can smash this tasting experience.
I think the Exclusivo Reserva is one of the best Exclusivo offerings I have had and I love the line when pressed. A box worthy cigar, if you find them, do not hesitate in purchasing.