My issue with the Highclere Castle Robusto is the dryness and bitterness as the cigar evolves. These components just degrade the flavor profile and make it a bit unpleasant. While I found this vitola to smoke slightly better than the Toro, it's just not something I see myself coming back to.
The Highclere Castle Victorian Robusto is definitely a darker and heavier profile than the original. While it started well, it just couldn't maintain the profile and degraded as it went along. The price point is pretty high for the experience provided and I don't see myself really coming back to this one.
The Foundation Charter Oak Habano Torpedo is a great example of a cigar that punches above its price point and delivers flavor complexity that is still restrained enough for the light bodied cigar smoker. I will happily return to the Charter Oak Habano.
The Foundation El Güegüense 5 Year Aniversario overall was a good experience, but I still find myself a bit disappointed. When you consider some of the high performing past Foundation releases, the fact that this is an anniversary cigar, and the price point, I feel that the cigar under performed.
The Foundation The Tabernacle Goliath did enough to keep my palate engaged through the first and second thirds. The last third was a bit of a let down, but the combination of flavors and an interesting vitola format won me over in the end. The price point might have me hesitant to smoke these more regularly, but I think this will be another release win for Foundation.
The Foundation Menelik is a solid release and it is a great size. I think if you are looking for a quality Mexican offering with great AGANORSA Nicaraguan fillers, you will be pleased with the cigar. It may not be game changing, but it is another solid Mexican release to the market.
The Foundation Tabernacle CT Havana Seed #142 Lancero is complex from start to finish and while there may not be a lot of transitioning, what is delivered has tons of depth. The Tabernacle CT Havana Seed #142 line in general is great, but it smokes wonderfully in the Lancero format.
In the case of the Foundation Tabernacle Havana Seed CT #142 Corona, the pure number of full flavors ranging from sweetness in chocolate, bread to spices such as dry red peppers and cinnamon made me engaged the entire time. So engaged that every draw made me say "dang this is legit." Excellent job by Nick.
In the story of the Foundation The Wise Man Maduro Churchill, the cigar showed no signs of being sharp or being rough around the edges. Flavors of Mexican hot chocolate powder, cedar and bread worked very well together, keeping my attention for the entire, longer smoke. The strength does sneak up, as by the end of the cigar, sugar was required.
If cigars tasted this good in the early 1900s, then sign me up. Don't let the light wrapper fool you, the Highclere Castle Toro has plenty of depth and body to enjoy on a stand alone basis and paired with a nice spirit. A luxurious look paired with a luxurious taste. I need a Rolls Royce to smoke this cigar in.