The Micallef Black Toro had an average flavor profile throughout, focused around earth and toasted oak. The cocoa powder in the first third was nice, but it mellowed out and couldn't elevate the profile. This Toro vitola wasn't at the same level as the Robusto reviewed previously and I wouldn't see myself returning, but for those that like really earthy profiles, it's definitely something to check out.
The Tatuaje Pork Tenderloin 2025 is a fantastic release. The construction was perfect from start to finish. Draw and burn top notch. It was a balanced cigar, and it had a great level of complexity and transitioning throughout. The flavor profile delivered strength and richness and was a great example of Connecticut Broadleaf over Nicaraguan tobacco. This is a cigar that smokes great now but will age wonderfully. I should have bought a bundle when this cigar was released. Fantastic blend.
I really liked this OZ Karatoba Robusto until the final third. I am not sure if it would smoke better in a larger blend or smaller blend, but I am interested in trying further vitolas. I loved the Sumatra offering on the cigar in the first two thirds, and it had that dark Sumatra profile I enjoy. The burn and draw were great from start to finish, and it had a nice body and strength level. I am very happy OZ teamed up with NACSA on this release. I like this direction for the company.
The Drew Estate Blackened S84 Shade to Black Toro had an average flavor profile that matches up with the experience with the Robusto last year. Smoking the cigar now did show the construction paper note not being present, but that didn't improve the cigar as a whole. Still a pretty average Connecticut shade offering that I wouldn't see myself returning to.
Although the overall experience was average, I need to hand it to La Aurora for providing a fantastic first third experience. In infused/non-traditional cigars like this, I typically find the infusion to be too strong or too meek. But the Outcast Corona Gorda struck the perfect mix of tasting the infusion and bringing in the traditional flavors. I just wish it could have maintained it for the majority of the smoke.
A Perdomo that I can truly get behind. Success! This Perdomo Legacy Connecticut Epicure goes toe to toe with some of my favorite shade offerings such as Espinosa Crema, Matilde, etc. It's not the same as those profiles, but it works well with how well the profile shows fullness in flavors and transitions. It's about time I found a winner in this brand. Let's keep this going.
The Cohiba Spectre 2024 delivered a balanced but somewhat restrained experience, with a consistent mix of sweet tobacco, wood and faint earth throughout. Bread and light baking spices offered some nuance, but the profile remained largely linear from start to finish. Excellent burn performance was offset by a notably resistant draw. Given the price point, I find it hard to overlook any sort of construction issue, but especially a resistant draw.
The Espinosa Knuckle Sandwich Puro Nicaragua Robusto delivered a flavorful first and second third, highlighted by creamy coffee, espresso, chewy tobacco and balanced baking spice and chocolate complexity. The final third lost some of that balance as earth took over the profile. A very enjoyable smoking experience overall, particularly in the first two thirds. Good enough that this might be my favorite Knuckle Sandwich release to date.
The E.P. Carrillo Connecticut Robusto had a mellow, approachable profile with creamy tobacco, soft wood and some enjoyable retrohale complexity early on. While the second third showed the best balance with sweet tobacco and spices, the final third leaned more towards dryness and tannic wood. There wasn't enough here of a standout for the flavor profile to make me want to seek these out in the future.
The Hoyo de Monterrey Shade Toro had an average flavor profile throughout, focused around the toasted cedar and earth. The random popcorn note was nice, but never played enough of a role to enhance the profile. There's nothing really exciting about the blend, but it's pretty serviceable, and at a low price point I could see some finding this as a regular in their rotation, but it's just not for me.