I liked the Red Meat Lovers Fritanga, and the Red Meat Lovers is a collection that continues to grow on me. I thought it was a fun Broadleaf release out of NACSA, and Saka continues to deliver complex and flavorful blends with that factory. Great pricing on this cigar as well. I would highly recommend to any fan of NACSA, Saka, or someone looking for a medium-full blend that is dark, rich and complex.
This Eladio Diaz La Diana Biloria is a winner. Layered, nuanced, just a good cigar. And it's eleven bucks?! Unbelievably superb! I recommend everyone to try this and taste the modern "budget" cigar that slaps (as the kids would say).
The Powstanie Connecticut Justice had a nice start, with a good combination of flavors. It took a step down in the second third as the hay increased and pepper mellowed and remained at that level the rest of the way. This cigar was right on par with the Toro we reviewed previously. It's not a cigar I'd really see returning to, but those that like a slightly stronger Connecticut shade, it might fit the bill.
The Black Label Trading Co. Eletto Toro was a great stick. Balanced from beginning to end, the cigar was beautiful in appearance and wonderful in terms of flavors delivered. I loved the profile of earth, cocoa, leather, tobacco and spices. The strength and body were never too much, but they were present and pairing perfectly with the flavors. I would come back to this vitola and would love to see how the cigar ages. BLTC is simply on point right now.
The AJ Fernandez New World Decenio Robusto is a nice blend that captures that Mexican and Central American flavor profile. There is a nice cocoa and rich earth profile with some leather, tobacco, herbal and spice notes. There is balance with a nice level of complexity. The construction is perfect from start to finish, and it is an approachable cigar for many smokers. I would be curious to see the tobacco breakdown with this blend. I feel like the filler blend is much more Nicaraguan focused, but the Honduran tobacco has its place.
The Chesterton and Co. Pints with Aquinas Toro started off with some promise, offering a nice mix of nuts, wood, and a gradually building spice profile that showed flashes of richness as sweet tobacco and dark roast coffee came into play. Unfortunately, after that initial momentum, the cigar settled into a more linear experience. The second and final thirds were dominated by earth and coffee with a drier profile overall, never quite recapturing the complexity of the opening.
The RoMa Craft Intemperance Volstead VO 1920 Judas Hole delivered an engaging and consistent profile of creamy bread, pastry sweetness and evolving spice expressions. The transitions from cayenne to baking spice and red-hot candy added enjoyable complexity without ever becoming overwhelming. The Volstead is already in my regular smoking rotation, now it's just a matter of narrowing down what my favorite vitola is.
I love every aspect of the Cachitos Connecticut. I love the flavor profile, strength, price and overall performance. I even love the little dark circle on the cap. I don’t know what that is all about, but I dig it. It’s a quick smoke, but that is great for this time of the year. There is a nice bit of strength and body with this Connecticut wrapper, and the filler tobacco compliments the traits of Connecticut Shade. Cream, cedar, cocoa, spices and earth throughout. I really hope these stay consistent over the years.
The MBombay Kesara Toro had a nice start with a fair number of flavor components and transitions. It dropped a level in the second third as some components mellowed and dropped oy and maintained that level the rest of the way. I was really hoping for a longer experience with the first third as the combination of flavors were working well, but it faded back as it went along. The pricing is a bit high, so it's not something I'd come back to frequently, but I'd be up for it on occasion.
I really enjoyed the My Father Blue Robusto, and it is a blend I have returned to many times since released. It is a balanced blend, and I love how the Honduran tobacco smokes with the CT Broadleaf wrapper. My Father does so much with Nicaraguan tobacco that it is interesting to see how they blend with Honduran tobacco while also using a wrapper they know how to use very well. Lovely Connecticut Broadleaf, fun new release when looking at the blend and who produced the cigar, and a nice addition for My Father.