The Maya Selva Flor de Selva Año del Dragón 2024 had a different and interesting flavor profile that kept me engaged through the first and second thirds without giving me palate fatigue. The last third was still enjoyable, but not quite at the same level of complexity. This is a cigar I will obviously smoke again, however this is something I would likely limit to special occasions.
The CLE PCA 2023 Exclusive 50x5 was an enjoyable cigar to smoke and review, and the first and second thirds were the highlight of the experience for me. I think the CLE PCA 2023 Exclusive 50x5 demonstrates the kind of good cigar that CLE can produce and I would happily smoke another one if I had the opportunity.
The Punch Spring Roll had an average flavor profile throughout, but it felt like there was a good flavor profile hiding in there, the staleness just kind of held it back. I've experienced this with other cigars from STG and I'm not sure if it's older tobacco or what causes this. The price point is low, so it's an easy try, but it's just not something I really see myself coming back to.
The Chillin' Moose Shady Moose Toro started with an average flavor profile focused around toasted cedar, earth and light wood bitterness. From the second third on, the profile took a step down as the wood bitterness crept up throughout the rest of the smoking experience. The cigar is a serviceable budget smoke, but not something I'd see myself coming back to with any regularity. Something to smoke when you're focused on something else as it technically performs well, but you're not looking for something that's flavor first.
The Room101 The Big Payback 70S had an average flavor profile throughout, with a core set of basic flavors. Some slight transitioning, but nothing very exciting and the strength was getting me at the end. This format is not something I'm going to come back to, but the price point is low and I got a smoking time of four hours and twenty five minutes from it, so if you like large ring gauge cigars and enjoy this flavor profile, then it's well worth it, it's just not for me.
The Camacho Factory Unleashed 3 started well, with a fair amount of transitioning. From the second third on, the flavor profile was average as some components dropped out and the combination wasn't as exciting. This is probably the best of the Factory Unleashed series in my opinion. While it's not something I'd come back to that frequently, the lower price point does make it worthwhile to come back to from time to time.
I enjoyed the Fable Two Things. I thought it was a really good barber pole. Nice flavor profile from start to finish. Great construction as well. Nice blend of Honduran and Nicaraguan tobacco. Connecticut in there as well with the wrapper. I've got more than two nice things to say about this creative piece of work.
Cavalier Genève brings another winner into the cigar market with the Cavalier Genève Inner Circle Domaine Rouge Toro. This time, it feels like the first time I had a cigar from them, bringing elegance, easy going, and a well melded flavor profile. Smokers of premium classic brands such as Davidoff, Avo, CLE should really look at this brand, as surely there are gems to be found here.
This JRE Aladino Limited Edition really has a lot going for it. I think if you changed the band and didn't tell consumers this was Honduran it would do even better. I'm serious. Great flavors with complexity and depth. Balanced throughout. Some transitioning, but it is not needed with the blend. Beautiful construction as well. Loved the growth on this cigar. I guarantee this will age well.
This Oscar Valladares The Oscar Connecticut Robusto was a great Connecticut blend. Balanced with a great core flavor profile from start to finish. Not overly complex, or showing a lot of transitioning, but this is an affordable cigar. The construction was perfect as well, so this was an easy and effortless smoke. No complaints. Nice creamy, earth, wood and sweet spice flavor profile.