The San Pedro de Macorís Nicaragua Robusto had a rich and nuanced first and second third with balanced and enjoyable flavors. The last third lost most of the cigars complexity and was almost entirely driven by cedar flavors. This is another solid performer in the San Pedro line and I think Royal Agio is poised to clean up on the value category this year.
The La Aurora 1985 Maduro Robusto was a great cigar that delivered on so many levels. There is a lot to be impressed with in this cigar, and another great quality is how well it shows that La Aurora knows how to work with so many different types of tobacco in so many blends.
The AVO Improvisation LE19 starts out complex and interesting in the first third, but declines in balance and intensity as the cigar progresses. I get the impression this cigar might balance out the middle and last third given some time to rest.
The Davidoff Robusto Real Especiales 7 was a bit of a puzzle for me, as I found the overall flavor experience to be quite average. The first third delivered some of the typical standout notes I would expect from a Davidoff, however, once in the middle third, the flavor complexity fell off rapidly.
Given the premium price point, and listed tobacco blend, I would have expected more flavor complexity out of these. If you gravitate towards the Cohiba brand, and are a Connecticut Shade smoker, this cigar will likely appeal to you.
The concept of the United Cigar El Tallo using all stems is interesting and the smoking experience it provided was different than most everything I've smoked before. While this cigar isn't something I'd revisit often, it is something that I would look to on occasion. I would say it's a cigar definitely worth your while in trying, if not for just the experience.
The Indian Motorcycle Connecticut Shade Toro is a well done Connecticut shade cigar. I would have no problem smoking more of these and would easily recommend it to those that appreciate cigars like this. The flavor is quite full without an overpowering strength to match. If you're a Connecticut shade fan, it would be worth your time to track these down.
I am a fan of the Balmoral Anejo XO Oscuro Rothschild Masivo and the flavor profile it delivers. It is a great example of a Mexican wrapper and produces a complex flavor profile that has depth and transitioning from start to finish. This is what a multi-nation blend should look and smoke like.
Overall, the profile of the Shore Thing Exclusive by Crowned Heads was average, even with its uniqueness. The price point is quite high, but for a store exclusive, I can understand some reasoning to it, I just don't feel the experience earns it. If you're a Crowned Heads fan and have a chance to grab one, you should go for it, but it won't drive me to seek more out.
The dark chocolate, Asian spice and cherry notes play off of each other perfectly and the presence of those flavors throughout, and their change in dominance make for a terrific experience. I would highly recommend, and the Diamond Crown Black Diamond Marquis is a cigar I will come back to time and time again.
