Rafael Nodal Archives - Developing Palates - Cigar, Beer and Spirit Reviews and Ratings

Team Cigar Review: Trinidad x Tommy Bahama Island Collection Breeze

In the end, this Trinidad x Tommy Bahama Island Collection Breeze is a cigar that succeeds by knowing its lane. It doesn’t aim for boldness or strength, but instead offers a relaxed, consistent profile that feels well-suited to casual settings or moments when a more demanding cigar would feel out of place. While it doesn’t quite sustain the interest needed to push beyond a Good rating overall, it remains an enjoyable, easygoing smoke that delivers exactly what it sets out to be.

John McTavish, March 13, 2026

Team Cigar Review: Aging Room La Bohéme Poeta

This Connecticut Broadleaf is a sleeper and should not be missed by anyone. It really has it all: chewy full flavors that make you want to take another draw as soon as you take one. The only thing I wish was it wasn't as pricey, as other Connecticut Broadleafs can be found for cheaper with similar experience. But even with that said, I would take these Aging Room La Bohéme Poeta all day every day.

Jiunn Liu, July 16, 2025

Personal Cigar Review: Romeo y Julieta Reserva Real Nicaragua Midnight Twist Toro

The Romeo y Julieta Reserva Real Nicaragua Midnight Twist Toro had an average profile throughout, just focused on the toasted oak, earth and black pepper. A fairly linear profile that didn't really stand out. The price point is attractive, but other than that, I don't see it as something I'd return to.

Aaron Loomis, August 23, 2024

Personal Cigar Review: Trinidad Espiritu No. 3 Toro

The Trinidad Espiritu No. 3 Toro started with melt your face off black pepper, but mellowed through the first third and was pretty average through the first two thirds. The final third took a step down as the toasted cedar became heavy and some wood bitterness joined in. Not a cigar I'd likely come back to as the flavor profile didn't show much balance or excitement.

Aaron Loomis, February 23, 2024

Personal Cigar Review: Aging Room Quattro Nicaragua Sonata Vibrato

The Aging Room Quattro Nicaragua Sonata Vibrato started well for the first inch, but then started to fall off. The cigar maintained an average flavor profile the rest of the way. Overall, the cigar was just OK. The quick ramp up of strength in the final third was a surprise. Not a cigar I'd really see myself coming back to.

Aaron Loomis, November 17, 2023

Team Cigar Review: Montecristo 1935 Anniversary Edición Diamante No. 2

Not gonna lie, I was ready to type about how this is the same AJ chef and therefore the same story as per usual. But I am wrong. Very wrong. This Montecristo 1935 Anniversary Edición Diamante No. 2 was delicious, capturing not just AJ earthiness, but it was much more than that, delivering great notes of chocolate, minerals and sweetness. Very pricey indeed, but definitely worth trying.

Jiunn Liu, October 18, 2023

Team Cigar Review: Aging Room Rare Collection Scherzo

I found the Aging Room Rare Collection Scherzo to be a one-dimensional offering that delivered this dry and not your classic Nicaraguan flavor profile. It really showed some Honduran qualities in some ways, and not the Honduran qualities I enjoy. The strength and body diminishing in the second and final third helped, but only because the flavor profile would have not been enjoyable with additional strength.

Seth Geise, February 23, 2022

Team Cigar Review: Trinidad Espiritu Series No. 2 Toro

I enjoyed smoking the Trinidad Espiritu Series No. 2 Toro. While the cigar wasn't necessarily as complex as I would want, the flavors that were present were enjoyable, and harmonized in a way that kept me engaged.

John McTavish, May 17, 2021

Team Cigar Review: Montecristo 1935 Anniversary Nicaragua No. 2

Typically, based on smoking experience, when I see another non-Cuban Montecristo, I assume an average experience. My assumption basically made an ass out of myself. The Montecristo 1935 Anniversary Nicaragua No. 2 was far from average, being quite complex with sweet Hawaiian bread, barnyard, herbal tea and baking spices for most of the smoking time (last third lost steam). I'll happily smoke more of these.

Jiunn Liu, March 22, 2021

Team Cigar Review: Romeo y Julieta Reserva Real Nicaragua Toro

I really enjoyed the Romeo y Julieta Reserva Real Nicaragua Toro and it is a cigar I would smoke again and purchase. There was not a ton of transitioning, but the flavor profile delivered was solid and enjoyable. I think this is a brilliant release for Romeo, and with so many consumers sticking to the tried and true cigar and brands, this will do incredibly well.

Seth Geise, August 19, 2020