In order for a sweet tip cigar to work for my palate, it needs to be subtly integrated into the profile. For this Sarzedas Robusto, it wasn't. The synthetic sweet tipped vanilla and creme brûlée combination was too palate dominant to the more traditional cigar flavors of cedar wood, leather, dirt and nuts. The integration didn't work and it tastes like having two distinct profiles. Easy pass for me.
The Angel Cuesta Shade Toro is a good cigar. The draw and burn were perfect from start to finish. It doesn’t have a lot of transitioning, but it has a lovely profile and nice bit of depth. It is on the lighter side of the spectrum, but the wrapper helps in gravitating the blend and the presentation. The honey, cedar, cream and tobacco were very good from start to finish, I just wish it had a little more as a cigar.
The Perla del Mar Corojo Double Toro had an average flavor profile throughout, focused around the toasted cedar and earth. There were some nice supporting notes, but nothing that really elevated the profile. The cigar smoked smooth throughout, and the press really helped with a good mouthfeel for the larger ring gauge. While I wouldn't see myself coming back to this frequently, I could see some really enjoying this based on the smooth smoking experience and the low price point for a larger cigar with a long smoking time.
Although this was a very small part of the cigar (first inch), the amount of chestnut sweetness and creaminess was awesome. Small part but due to the amazeballsness, worth mentioning. But past that, the profile took a downturn, and by the time it reached the second third, there was no stopping the mediocrity. There are better Connecticut shades out there that can be found for ~$5-10 cheaper. It's such a shame the J.C. Newman Tampa Smokers Toro couldn't capture the first inch experience for longer.
The Angel Cuesta Toro started well, with a classic flavor profile. From the second third on, the profile was average, with the final third kind of teetering on being good. This is a slight step down from the Salomones vitola, possibly due to the burn issues. The flavor profile is unique and I like it when it's on, the price point just doesn't do it for me, especially with the burn issues I've experienced in the two vitolas I've smoked.
The Cuesta-Rey Centenario Natural No. 60 had a nice start, with a good combination of flavors and a smooth delivery. Things took a step down in the second third as the black pepper departed and maintained that level the rest of the way. The price point is attractive, so I could see coming back from time to time, but it's not a cigar where I'd sit down to focus on flavors, but more of something I'd smoke as part of a pairing or while doing other activities.
The El Baton Belicoso started out with engaging flavor combinations in the first third. By the second third, it became wood forward, and while pleasant, I didn't find it dynamic enough to stand out. The last third started out with interesting flavor combinations but settled into wood and baking spices. While the price point on the El Baton Belicoso is attractive, I'm not sure the flavor profile was engaging enough for me to return to.
The overall profile for the J.C. Newman The American Double Robusto was pretty average throughout with some slight transitions that never took the cigar to a higher level. In my opinion, this is not the best vitola for the line and I wouldn't really see myself returning to this one.
I enjoyed the Angel Cuesta Salomones blend, and I can see myself smoking different vitolas of the line. It is not overly complex, but it had a really enjoyable and easy flavor profile from start to finish. Just a nice level of complexity and flavors for a cigar you can sit back and relax with and take your time.
J.C. Newman has recreated the original Sanchez y Haya cigars and will reintroduce them at a celebration this evening at Hotel Haya in Ybor City. Hotel Haya is located on the site of the original Sanchez y Haya cigar factory in Tampa’s Ybor City historic cigar district.