The first portion reminded me of the original Diesel's and after that became an average profile found in any number of cigars. I would have liked to see the first portion keep its core and transition from there to see what it could have become. As it is, I'd like to smoke another to see if this is what the cigar was meant to be or if there is something I missed.
Following in line with Fratello's style, the Fratello Navetta Discovery is another good example of a medium strength formula with full flavors. An easy recommend if you are a fan of Fratello's style or one to enjoy medium strength, full flavors.
I classify the Epic Smoking Shields as no frills, no thrills, just a good cigar. If you're looking for a cigar that will give you great creaminess, sweetness, earth and tamed spice, this is exactly it.
In the case of the 2012 by Oscar Barber Pole, it tastes a lot more Mexican San Andres than Candela. Flavors of caramel, drying wood, leather, minerals and nuts were the main components of this cigar. I overall enjoyed the cigar's journey of sweetness to earthiness and would happily smoke this again.
The first third of this cigar was dynamite with the combination of wood, chocolate, cinnamon and cream. Each third thereafter became a little less complex as some of the flavor notes began to drop out. If you haven't tried this line yet, this is a great size to go for as it will show you what the line can provide at a good price point.
The Villiger La Vencedora Toro showed a good melding of flavors focused on chocolate, espresso, bread and minerals. Being a longer smoke, the cigar did not lose my interest, doing a good job of building on it's core flavors. This is well worth putting on your new cigars to buy list.
There isn't any wow factor here, but the cigar does provide an average flavor profile through the first two thirds with a drop in the final third. Based on other cigars I've reviewed here, this score should fall in line with a fair number of cigars that are priced at twice or three times what this is. With that being said, you can have those same experiences at a discount.
The Tatuaje Negociant Monopole No. 3 is a cigar that had a nice mellow flavor profile along with medium strength. This would be a great morning cigar and one that I think would pair very well with coffee. I'm looking forward to smoking this again in that exact pairing scenario.
Flavorwise, it was dominantly earth and leather with a great caramel sweetness within the first two thirds, but unfortunately tapering off within the last third. This new blend is definitely worth a try but nothing to go deep on.
The MBombay Classic Torpedo is on the higher cost side, but as most of the MBombay offerings, it can earn that. If you like a good dose of flavor with a lower strength level, then this is a cigar that is well worth seeking out. I'm looking forward to smoking more.
