Costa Rica

Team Cigar Review: MBombay Kesara Toro

The MBombay Kesara Toro had a nice start with a fair number of flavor components and transitions. It dropped a level in the second third as some components mellowed and dropped oy and maintained that level the rest of the way. I was really hoping for a longer experience with the first third as the combination of flavors were working well, but it faded back as it went along. The pricing is a bit high, so it's not something I'd come back to frequently, but I'd be up for it on occasion.

Aaron Loomis, December 5, 2025

Team Cigar Review: MBombay Gaaja Natural Robusto

The MBombay Gaaja Natural Robusto delivered a well-balanced profile in the first and second thirds, with sweet tobacco, creamy chocolate, nuts and wood all playing well together. The first third was the most dynamic, showing transitions in sweetness, spice and wood intensity. The final third shifted toward a more tannic, dry wood focus, which was less engaging. Overall, a good cigar I’d be happy to smoke again.

John McTavish, August 22, 2025

Team Cigar Review: Bandolero Premium Bravos

The Bandolero Premium Bravos delivered a refined experience with a consistent, flavorful progression. The first two thirds showcased a dynamic range of creamy bread, buttery tobacco, aged wood and nuanced vegetal and baking spice notes, particularly through the retrohale. The final third lost some complexity, leaning heavier into dry, tannic wood and earth, but still maintained an overall enjoyable character. A worthy option for those who enjoy subtle transitions and classic flavor profiles with finesse.

John McTavish, August 18, 2025

Team Cigar Review: Atabey Black Ritos

I enjoyed the Atabey Black Ritos. The cigar was balanced with a nice flavor profile from beginning to end. Good level of complexity throughout. The honey sweetness with coffee, cedar and earth was nice. With perfect level of construction, and a nice strength and body, it was a blend that every cigar smoker could enjoy. Price excluded.

Seth Geise, May 5, 2025

Team Cigar Review: El Septimo Culinary Art Collection Nigori

The El Septimo Culinary Art Collection Nigori was an interesting cigar to review. I thought the first third was good with engaging flavors, the second third almost hit the same mark but lost a bit in the bottom half, and the final third was fairly linear. This is without a doubt the best El Septimo I've smoked to date, and the price point is quite reasonable for the 2024 market. I could see myself smoking this cigar again, even if my take way for the overall flavor delivery was above average.

John McTavish, October 4, 2024

Team Cigar Review: Armando Artamendi Cabinet Selection Sun Grown Robusto Extra

This Armando Artamendi Cabinet Selection Sun Grown Robusto Extra had a nice profile through the first two thirds and then took a step down in the final third as the earth and toast increased. This profile shows what Santana is known for with good flavor delivery in a low to medium strength profile. I just wish it made it through the entire cigar. I would come back to this cigar and I'd also be interested in trying it in the 60 ring gauge offering to see how that performs as well.

Aaron Loomis, September 6, 2024

Team Cigar Review: Alfonso Gran Selección Estelares

Elegant, balanced and luxurious would be the three main words to describe this Alfonso Gran Selección Estelares. All the flavors were equivalent to some of the best buttery pastries I've had, with cedar (may sound weird, but it's awesome). The only minor gripes I have are I wish the cigar at times had deeper flavors and more transitions, as the lulls become a bit disengaging. But all in all, a pleasure to smoke.

Jiunn Liu, February 28, 2024

Team Cigar Review: Flor de D’Crossier Seleccion Escogida Lumina Corona Gorda

It's been a minute with Flor de D’Crossier, but this Flor de D’Crossier Seleccion Escogida Lumina Corona Gorda was a good stick. Price is fantastic on this balanced blend. The flavors were there as well and a nice level of complexity was delivered. Great vitola as well with awesome construction.

Seth Geise, December 18, 2023

Team Cigar Review: Lampert Oro Don Patron

I enjoyed the first third on the Lampert Oro Don Patron, with some cocoa and creaminess combining in engaging ways. The second and last thirds were primarily hay and wood driven which wasn't unpleasant but was linear on the palate. The draw and burn were both perfect. The profile was slightly above average, and given the price point, this isn't something I would likely return to in the future.

John McTavish, June 9, 2023

Team Cigar Review: Alfonso Añejos No. 2

This Alfonso Añejos No. 2 is the route back to greatness for Selected Tobacco S.A. The early days of having incredible nuance, balance, and in general a great cigar is almost back with this release. This cigar (for the first two thirds) had such a large array of flavors that worked in great harmony. It's not often I smoke a cigar like this, but it is a treat.

Jiunn Liu, March 13, 2023