The Base Camp S'more Stout is enjoyable, but doesn't stand out from the crowd for flavor complexity or intensity. Given the name of the beer, S'More Stout, I was anticipating big marshmallow, graham and chocolate flavors.
I was thoroughly impressed with the Dapper El Borracho Maduro Edmundo from start to finish and totally surprised. It really delivered a great Broadleaf flavor and at the same time was not full in strength and body. On top of that, the cigar was constructed beautifully.
The Hit and Run Part Deux (Rip & Dip) Almost Robusto from Room 101 starts out with rich layered complexity. Unfortunately, the flavor declines as the cigar progresses becoming an average experience by the last third. It's possible the drop off from each third could indicate the cigar needs some rest for the tobaccos to marry, so I look forward to revisiting this review in 2019.
The Zero Issue Terraform is an enjoyable and satisfying porter. The flavor profile isn't bold and doesn't overwhelm the palate.
The CAO Nicaragua Granada had a pretty linear profile of wood, baking spice and mustiness. Some cream was present at times along with a bit of char to the wood. Strength was below medium the whole way. While I probably won't gravitate to this cigar again, I could see it doing very well in the market.
The Cornelius & Anthony Mistress Robusto is quite a departure from other Cornelius & Anthony releases and is a cigar that is full in strength and body from start to finish. It is not just a strong cigar, it has something more to it.
I think the Khoffner Tobacco Is In My Blood is better than the overall score might indicate. Although it's very outside the flavor map of a milk stout, the beer itself is still going to have a lot of appeal to beer geeks if only because of it's surprising profile.
The Espinosa Las 6 Provincias LHB is yet another example of the stronger, spicier side of Espinosa's offerings. For me, this is a post (big) dinner smoke as the spice would be better complimented after such. If you enjoy the "typical" Espinosa offering, you will no doubt enjoy this.
The Southern Draw 300 Hands Maduro Petit Edmundo represents one of my favorite Maduro releases in the past few years. The story behind the project is compelling, but at the end of the day, customers are going to want something that delivers great flavor if they're going to buy it again. Fortunately, the 300 Hands Maduro delivers flavors that will have customers adding this to their regular rotation.
The Cuvée du Château by Kasteel is an enjoyable Quadruple, that doesn't mask it's large ABV nature. I enjoyed the more complex flavors that developed as the beer warmed up, but overall I would have liked more depth and complexity.
