Aaron 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: Black Works Studio Boondock Robusto

The Black Works Studio Boondock Robusto had a nice start, with a bold mix of toasted oak, dark earth and black pepper. The pepper began to fade as the cigar went along and with the earth moving to the front of the profile with the oak, it took a step down in the second third and maintained that level the rest of the way. The overall profile was pretty linear from the second third on.

Aaron Loomis, September 25, 2026

Personal Cigar Review: CAO America Monument

The CAO America Monument had an average flavor profile throughout, focused around the earth and toasted cedar. The bitter construction paper wasn't the greatest addition, but the pepper and creaminess helped to balance it out a bit. Overall, not a cigar that really speaks to me and not something I'd see myself really coming back to.

Aaron Loomis, September 18, 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: Fermin Perez Classic Connecticut Toro

The Fermin Perez Classic Connecticut Toro is a dependable and well-executed cigar. It may not push boundaries in terms of complexity, but it delivers a consistently balanced and enjoyable experience, making it a solid choice when you’re looking for something reliable and easygoing.

John McTavish, September 4, 2026

Personal Cigar Review: Rocky Patel The Edge Corojo Toro

The Rocky Patel The Edge Corojo Toro started pretty average, focused around the toasted cedar and earth. It increased in enjoyment in the second third as the black pepper returned, rounding out the profile a bit more. It took a step back in the final third as the wood bitterness increased and the pepper mellowed. This is a serviceable lower priced offering. While I wouldn't see myself really coming back to it with any frequency, for those that like a cedar and earth flavor combination and prefer lower cost offerings, this might fit the bill.

Aaron Loomis, August 28, 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

Personal Cigar Review: CAO Italia Ciao

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.

Aaron Loomis, July 31, 2026