I was impressed with the Dunbarton Tobacco & Trust Mi Querida Triqui Traca No. 552. Overall, an enjoyable experience with a near flawless burn and draw. I'm looking forward to lighting up another Triqui Traca at my earliest convenience.
The first third of the Plasencia Alma del Fuego Concepción really reminded me of Christmas for some reason, but after that, things became average until the final third when creamy coffee rescued the cigar from continuing to be average. I'm interested to smoke this in another vitola in hopes of seeing that first third profile last longer as I really enjoyed it. I would smoke this again and see this as a nice addition to the company portfolio.
I was very pleased with the La Aurora 115th Anniversary Regular Production Robusto. It may not show a lot of transitioning between each third, but the flavor profile delivered and balance was very enjoyable. There is some depth and complexity to the cigar and the combination of cinnamon and lemon was fantastic. A solid cigar that I will enjoy in the future.
Upon initial draw of the Alec and Bradley Gatekeeper Robusto, you know what you're in for. It's a bold and hefty delivery of flavors centered around red pepper spice, meatiness, cedar and sharp minerals with a medium plus strength to match. All in all, solid sophomore release by Alec and Bradley.
Agnostic of price, the Jim Beam Distiller's Masterpiece is a tasty sherry finished bourbon. The deep sherry notes with good rye spices, tea, oak, etc is complex and well executed. But I can't get behind a $199 MSRP (I bought it for $180) bottle when I know there are other finished bourbons out there that cost less and taste just as good or if not better.
It's always a pleasant surprise when you light up a cigar and immediately know you're in for something special. I thoroughly enjoyed the Southern Draw Rose of Sharon Desert Rose, and look forward to my earliest opportunity to light one up again.
Overall, the unit works as advertised, so to that extent it is a recommendation. It's quite a bit to spend on a 400 count humidor, but if referencing against customized temperature controlled units in the market, this is the better deal but you won't get a "furniture piece."
Like the majority of HVC's offerings, the HVC Serie A Perlas is yet another good example of a solid cigar. The use of quality Aganorsa tobacco honestly speaks for itself. The flavors of sweet buttered bread, nuts, fresh red pepper spice, barnyard, cedar and tannins were great, especially within the first third in which the profile was direct and focused.
The Orphan Barrel Barterhouse is not the best and certainly not the worst of bourbons on the market. What is most intriguing is the uniqueness of having a 20 year aged bourbon at a fair price of $75. So high praise for the rarer opportunity, but right dab in the middle in terms of the overall flavor profile.
The Warped Flor del Valle Seleccion de Valle was an overall average experience. The first third was good, giving it a quintessential Aganorsa style of Corojo goodness. But past that mark, the profile really deteriorated the further I got into the cigar. A gradual decline as sharpness and unrefined harshness took over the softer notes. In my opinion, definitely stick to the other vitolas within the Flor del Valle line.
