The Protocol Eliot Ness Maduro was consistently good through both cigars reviewed. The profile was more spice driven in the first third, dessert-like in the second third and chocolate and cream in the last third. After reviewing both the Natural and Maduro, I would say that I found the Maduro to be more consistently engaging through the entire smoking experience.
The Drew Estate Undercrown 10 Toro was a good cigar. It was a little one dimensional, and a little heavy on the earth, but there were some flavors that popped out throughout. I would have liked for a stronger finish, and I think that would have made a difference in the cigar. I am interested in smoking the blend in a smaller vitola offering, and really seeing how it smokes all around.
The German Engineered NN01 was a curious dichotomy as it seemed to deliver on good flavors in the first and second third, although sitting back down to write the review I couldn't tell you what stood out for me for the profile or overall impression. I would smoke one of these again. The price should make these quite approachable for most smokers.
The Macanudo Inspirado Brazilian Shade Toro was a fun cigar with a nice flavor profile. Not overly complex, it was balanced throughout. I loved the coffee, cream and lemongrass qualities throughout. A solid medium in strength and body, it is a cigar that many could enjoy at any time of day. Job well done!
The Protocol Cyber Crimes Unit performed fairly well, with aggressive white pepper in the first third, and a more nuanced chocolate forward flavor in the second third. I wasn't quite sure what to make of the profile, and in the end it seemed as if there was a teleport chamber, and the Protocol Red and Blue stepped in at the same time and came out the other side as a chimera.
Relatively speaking for a Connecticut broadleaf, the Drew Estate Liga Privada Único Serie Year of the Ox 2021 was on the lighter side. It didn't quite have the highly earthy, viscous and chocolate overlays. Instead, it smoked lighter, especially in terms of earthiness and strength. To me, there's nothing wrong with that and it's a good showing, especially for the Chinese market. A cigar well made to celebrate the Year of the Ox.
It's been so long since I've had this cigar that I have no recollection of the taste. I just remember it being expensive. I apparently have been missing out this entire time as the Diamond Crown Pyramid No. 7 is what I enjoy out of a good Connecticut shade. Easy going with plenty of sweetness, creaminess and just the right amount of spice. I won't wait this long to enjoy another one.
I love finding gems like this. Coming into this Solitaro The Hook Patience Limited Edition, I didn't know anything about the brand, the blender, the factory, nothing. And to find such an overall pleasant smoking experience for $8 nonetheless was a wonderful treat. Don't sleep on this one folks.
The La Gloria Cubana Spirit of the Lady Toro is a brand new portfolio spin off, the same mediocre cigar. This flavor profile is quintessential to how I feel about most cigars from General (especially blended by in house blenders); highly earthy, unbalanced and a bit spiky in nature. No offense to their current blending team(s), as I'm sure the marketing strength of the cigar brands are strong, but I just want better blends.
The Protocol Eliot Ness Natural was overall a good cigar, with intense baking spices at times accented with cocoa and citrus components. I would smoke this cigar again, although I am very interested to see how the Maduro release stacks up against the Natural.
