I loved the flavor profile on the Cohiba Royale Toro Royale and Cohiba has been making some great cigars lately. They're expensive, but tasty. It is possible that Cohiba finally made a cigar worth the price, but its past has hurt in justifying pricier Cohibas.
A wolf in sheep's clothing. The Dunbarton Tobacco & Trust Polpetta, a fairly unassuming 4x48, but once you get to smoking it, the heavy handed strength, chewy and viscous body lets you quickly know it means business. But it's not just full body and strength without good flavors. I think it's worth going to the events to seek out a few of these.
The Tabak Especial Dulce Gordito was enjoyable, with the first third exhibiting most of the complexities of the non-traditional coffee and cream flavors. The second and last third exhibited more of the traits of a traditional Connecticut Shade blend. The Gordito is going to be a good choice for someone looking for a significantly longer smoking time.
I was completely shocked by the Punch Knuckle Buster Habano Toro. The flavor profile delivered was unique and complex. I did not expect any of this from the cigar, and I wasn't expecting a profile of this nature from Punch. The flavor combination was very enjoyable and one that I have not come across that often in my years of smoking. On top of that, the price is right for this cigar.
A good and consistent cigar. I enjoyed the notes of sweet buttered bread, hay, dried nuts and baking spices, all wrapped up in a medium body and strength formula. With a smoking time of near two hours and a very attractive price point of ~$8, the Kristoff Shade Grown Robusto will no doubt be in the rotation of Connecticut shade offerings that I enjoy.
When I see a near $3 mixed short filler cigar, my main question is if it's worth the money based on taste and technical performance. The answer is a resounding yes. The Quorum Maduro Toro is one of the better cheap cigars I've had. Price aside, if I now ask whether the cigar was an overall good cigar, the answer is not quite. But given the performance based on price, for sure a recommend.
The Jeremy Jack JJ Forty Two was an overall average flavor profile and overall smoking experience. The cigar lacked depth and was linear the entire time. It would have helped quite a bit to have breaks from the earth and spice formula of red pepper spice and generic dry wood. Specifically, help from some sweetness and fruit would have made a big impact.
The Drew Estate Undercrown Shade Corona Pequeña definitely fits the bill for a quick 30-40 minute cigar that gets the job done. The flavors between spice and sweet citrus were in good balance and lasted just long enough for me to either be satisfied or entertain lighting up another one.
The La Unica Natural No. 400 was an average tasting experience. The profile felt a bit monotonous and could have used some more complexities such as greater spice. I can see myself smoking one of these in the morning with a cup of black coffee.
True to it's name, the Micallef Experiencia La Crema Toro packed quite a bit of cream like notes starting off with an oily mouthfeel with flavors of buttered bread, roasted nuts followed by hay and tart cherries on the retrohale. I had a great first experience with the brand. Let's hope it continues.
