The MoyaRuiz La Jugada Habano Semi-Pressed Toro was an overall pleasant smoking experience that remained consistent from start to finish. When I saw the Habano, I was expecting a bit more pop to the spices. None of the thirds really grabbed me in terms of complexity or layers of flavor, so I was left with an enjoyable, but average impression.
The Cigar Culture Culture Blend No. 3 is a fun cigar and has an enjoyable flavor profile. While I found it cool that they disclosed the tobacco in the blend, and the crop vintage, I felt they tried to do too much. The flavor profile touches on a lot of areas, but it never establishes roots.
Take a look at our cigar of the year list which consist of new cigars released in the calendar year of 2020.
I really enjoyed the Fonseca by My Father Cedros and I think it is the best release to come out of the factory in a long time. The flavor profile was complex and I thought the finish was brilliant. There is transitioning and depth, and at no point did the strength and body take over from the flavors. Really a lovely blend and an important Nicaraguan puro for the company.
The La Aurora 107 Nicaragua Robusto is a perfectly constructed cigar that is balanced in terms of strength and body while delivering complex flavors throughout. It is a great Nicaraguan puro for the company and one of the better Nicaraguan puros this year.
The E.P. Carrillo Pledge Prequel was an overall pleasant experience, with some of the best flavor combinations delivering in the second third. The presentation was fantastic, as was the construction. Overall, the profile failed to grab my attention and hold it, although I would be willing to try it in the Sojourn size to see how the blend compared.
The Black Label Trading Company Super Deluxe Lancero was an enjoyable medley of cocoa, baking spices, graham cracker, creaminess, wood and leather that kept me engaged for the entire smoking experience. The pepper and toasted quality might catch some off guard, but the intensity didn't stick around for very long. I would reach for another Super Deluxe Lancero.
The Crowned Heads Mil Días Corona Gorda was not like any other Crowned Heads I've smoked in the past. It brought a unique combination of graham cracker and herbal notes, all well balanced under the medium strength mark. This isn't a cigar I would reach for all the time, but given the interesting and unique combination of flavors, I would smoke this when I was looking for a change of pace.
The Tatuaje Black Label Private Reserve Britanicas Extra is a well harmonized cigar with subtle notes that play off of each other through the first and second thirds. The last third was pleasant, but didn't keep me engaged enough. I enjoyed this offering from Tatuaje and would happily seek it out to smoke again.
The HVC 500 Years Anniversary Selectos had some enjoyable complexity in the first third, and while I found the middle and last thirds to be pleasant, they lacked the same complexity that would elevate the experience to a good rating. For an anniversary cigar, I was anticipating more complexity, as HVC has managed to deliver on these type of releases in the past.
