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.
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.
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.
The CAO Italia Ciao started with an average flavor profile but took a step down in the second third and remained that way through to the end. I'm pretty sure the very tight draw just didn't let this profile exhibit what it was supposed to be, as smoke production was low early on and required multiple draws. Unfortunately, I don't think I can really report on what this cigar really is based on the draw issue, and I'm not sure if I'll return to see if I can get a better constructed one.
The Hoyo de Monterrey Excalibur Natural No. IV had an average flavor profile through the first two thirds, focused around toasted cedar, earth and construction paper. It took a step down in the final third as the wood bitterness increased and then transitioned to vegetal bitterness and increased some more. A pretty traditional Connecticut shade offering, but it just didn't do enough to make it something I'd really want to come back to. The price point is attractive though, so it's an easy try for those that enjoy this flavor profile.
The CAO Surplus Maduro Robusto had an average flavor profile throughout, focused around earth and toasted cedar. The black pepper built up as the cigar went along and the creamy cocoa was a nice touch. While this isn't a cigar I'd come back to with any real frequency, this is a fantastic bundle and budget cigar. The score matches up with many cigars that are priced 5 to 10 times what this costs. If you are a smoker on a budget, you'd be hard pressed to find a cigar that performs better than this at around the two dollar mark.
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.
The Fermin Perez Classic Habano Toro had a nice start, with a good combination of flavors, including the nice honey sweetness. As the sweetness departed in the second third, the profile took a step down and remained at that level for the rest of the cigar. Overall, a pretty average experience. I really wish the profile in the first third had lasted longer. All in all, not a cigar I'd really see myself coming back to.
The Perdomo Habano Bourbon Barrel-Aged Connecticut Epicure had an average flavor profile throughout, focused around the toasted cedar and oak, earth and cardboard. This is one of those "your Grandfathers Connecticut's" in regards to the classic flavor profile that's a bit dry with the cardboard/paper note to it. Not really the flavor profile I go for and not a cigar I'd really see myself returning to.
The Tatuaje Escasos H had an average flavor profile throughout, focused around toasted cedar and dry earth. While the flavor profile was smooth with lower strength, the dry earth kind of dampened the other flavors, which I believe didn't allow it to shine as it could have. Not a cigar that really excites me and not something I'd likely to return to.