The HVC Black Friday Firecracker packed a significant amount of flavor complexity, given the small size that it had to work with. It was also easily the strongest HVC that I've ever smoked, and even though I'm very used to smoking cigars at the full end of the spectrum, the HVC hit me solidly with strength at a few points.
Judging by the cover of the book, I thought a developing brand plus a high $16 price tag gave me a bit of an eye roll. But when I lit up the Blackbird Macaw and got through the first third, I was happy to be wrong. Beautifully spicy and sweet with a deep, long finish. Regrettably, the next two thirds didn't taste very good as there was too much harshness seeping through. Nice start, but it didn't finish strong.
$5 for an overall flavor profile that is good. This equates to buy, buy, buy. If you like all the great softer flavor notes in a good Connecticut shade with a bit more spice, the El Artista Buffalo Ten Connecticut is no doubt for you. Even if you don't, I think you should buy a fiver for only $25 to try it. Big flavors, small hit to the wallet. You really can't beat that.
The Saga Short Tales Tomo VII Tales of the Land: Navarrete started out with some interesting flavor combinations, and lost much of the complexity by the second third. I did find the second and last thirds to be pleasant, albeit not overly complex. Given the price point to flavor delivery here, I'd be hesitant to return to this cigar as it didn't offer quite enough to keep me interested.
I really enjoyed this blend. I thought it delivered some Cameroon and FSG qualities that I enjoy, but I believe the Cordoba & Morales Finca Santa Fe FSG Cameroon is young and needs more time to rest. I liked the balance between saltiness, sweetness and spice. The body and strength were perfect throughout, and the draw and burn were great.
The Howard G Magic Stick Habano Toro started out with an interesting medley of flavors, and was pleasant through the second and last thirds, but didn't manage to maintain the level of complexity delivered in the first third. This cigar would appeal to cigar smokers who enjoy Habano wrappers, but don't want a blend that's overly pepper or spice forward.
Full flavored and deceptively strong. I don't mind the full strength when the flavors are so abundant. An equal balance of sweet, nutty and spice. The only let down is the annoying burn. But luckily, it didn't affect the flavors. But for the flavors, I'd gladly smoke the All Saints St. Francis Toro again and again.
The Crowned Heads Las Calaveras Edición Limitada 2021 LC48 delivered a profile of intense pepper, earth and tannic wood through the review experience. None of the flavors seemed to coalesce and so I didn't find myself interested and engaged. Given that these are a yearly limited, I am disappointed in the 2021 offering.
The Tatuaje T110 Reserva Broadleaf essentially tells me what I already know about Tatuaje. That is, Pete continues to do a fine job of using Connecticut broadleaf, highlighting nice chocolate tones and not making it overwhelmingly earthy. Not his best Connecticut broadleaf by any means, but this is a buy without hesitation.
I am honestly not sure where I am with the Supreme Tobacco Bohekio Robusto. I need to smoke more. There is something about the Haitian tobacco that is funky. It seems light in many ways. There was also this quality to the tobacco that I get with some Dominican tobacco, but more often Cuban tobacco. I find it with island tobacco and I dig it.
