Dominican Republic Archives - Developing Palates - Cigar, Beer and Spirit Reviews and Ratings

Personal Cigar Review: Montecristo Classic No. 2

The Montecristo Classic No. 2 had a nice flavor profile through the first two thirds, focused around toasted cedar and earth, but the supporting notes all did a good job of balancing the profile. It took a step down in the final third as the balance went off a bit due to the earth, leather and strength. This is a nice Connecticut shade offering that offers a lower strength profile. It's fairly expensive, but if you are OK with this price range and enjoy this profile, it's well worth a try and isn't just a cigar playing off the Cuban name.

Aaron Loomis, October 2, 2026

Team Cigar Review: La Aurora Family Creed Series Perseverancia Box-Pressed Robusto

The La Aurora Family Creed Series Perseverancia Box-Pressed Robusto is a good little cigar, and I don’t think I would have this blend in another vitola. The cigar would either lose its qualities with a larger ring gauge and/or be too much for me to even smoke. Great flavors of rich earth, leather, warm spices and pepper.

Seth Geise, September 16, 2026

Team Cigar Review: Apostate The Liahona

The Apostate The Liahona delivered a profile built around sweet tobacco, musty wood and restrained earth, with very good balance from the outset. The first third was the most complex portion of the experience, showcasing a pleasant combination of sweetness and musty wood that closely mirrored the aromas from the pre-light inspection. While the profile was enjoyable, it never developed much beyond those core flavors.

John McTavish, September 11, 2026

Team Cigar Review: EGM Ninfa

The EGM Ninfa managed to maintain enough flavor interest to earn a Good overall rating. The combination of unusual paper and cardboard notes with strong baking spices, black pepper, bread and sweet tobacco made this a cigar that was more memorable than its construction issues might otherwise suggest.

John McTavish, September 8, 2026

Team Cigar Review: Don Emmanuel Anunnaki Anu

The Don Emmanuel Anunnaki Anu delivers a solid but ultimately average experience. It offers a smooth, balanced start but gradually transitions into a more wood-driven and less dynamic profile. It’s an easygoing cigar that doesn’t challenge the palate, but it also doesn’t quite deliver the evolution needed to stand out.

John McTavish, August 21, 2026

Personal Cigar Review: Romeo y Julieta Reserva Real Corona

The Romeo y Julieta Reserva Real Corona had an average flavor profile throughout, focused around toasted cedar, earth and black pepper. It's a pretty traditional Connecticut shade flavor profile that carries some dryness. It was able to dodge too much bitterness and overwhelming paper notes. While it's not a cigar I'd see myself coming back to frequently, for those that really enjoy the traditional style of the cigar, it is one to check out.

Aaron Loomis, August 14, 2026

Team Cigar Review: Stoic Equanimity Wisdom

The Stoic Equanimity Wisdom had a complex profile out of the gate, but settled into a more predictable offering as it finished. From a construction standpoint, the draw was excellent throughout, and aside from a single re-light, the burn performed well enough to stay out of the way.

John McTavish, August 7, 2026

Team Cigar Review: Ferio Tego Metropolitan 30 Years

The Ferio Tego Metropolitan 30 Years delivers a well-balanced and enjoyable first third supported by excellent construction. While the profile gradually becomes drier and more bitter as the cigar progresses, it never falls apart or becomes unpleasant. The lack of meaningful evolution and the increasingly wood-driven finish ultimately keep the cigar in average territory, but it remains an enjoyable and competently constructed smoking experience.

John McTavish, July 13, 2026

Personal Cigar Review: Montecristo White Series Rothchilde

The Montecristo White Series Rothchilde started well, with a full combination of flavors, but took a step down in the second third as the pepper mellowed and some wood bitterness joined in. It took another step down in the final third as the wood bitterness ramped up and the toast became very heavy. Overall, a cigar that started with promise, but degraded through each third. The price is pretty high for the offering, but regardless of that, just based on flavor profile, not something I'd really see myself coming back to.

Aaron Loomis, July 10, 2026

Team Cigar Review: Casa Carrillo Pledge Purple

The first third was the only highlight of the cigar. The fullness of the meatiness/gaminess paired with milk creaminess and trailing star anise was a combination worthwhile to sit with. But the majority of the cigar showed a mediocre flavor profile of charred oak wood and cream, which became a bit monotonous. This is an overall pass for me.

Jiunn Liu, July 8, 2026