I really enjoyed the AJ Fernandez New World Dorado Figurado, and it was a nice return to the New World line/brand. I thought it was a solid Nicaraguan puro that delivered an enjoyable flavor profile that was present throughout. Not overly complex, or showing a lot of transitioning, but an overall good blend. I prefer the Toro vitola offering, but a nice Figurado.
The Room101 Snake Shake presented very full flavors through the first half, but it was a pretty basic set of flavors that didn't really grab my attention. The fullness of flavors waned in the second half, but that didn't really change the enjoyment level for me. Just an average flavor profile throughout and not something I'd be in a hurry to return to.
This Ozgener Pi Synesthesia is the old CAO Gold. I'm saying it right now, and I am standing on this hill. If Tim told me otherwise, I would say he was lying. While the blend is not the same, this is the modern old CAO Gold. It's a good blend, and I would love to see it with some age. Would love to smoke this blend in a Lonsdale to Rothschild format. Citrus notes with some cedar, pepper spice, coffee and earth.
This Casa Cuevas Sangre Nueva Toro sort of reminds me of eating a sweet and (hint of) savory piece of toast. But it's important to note it's not just about sweetness. It has minerals, wood and spice to make you want to smoke to the finish line. Well blended and unique profile in which I will be back for more.
The Alec Bradley Trilogy Exotic Maduro had an average flavor profile throughout. Very oak and dry earth dominant, but the baking spice addition, did help out a little bit. Quite a difference between this Maduro and the Corojo, and I wouldn't see myself coming back to this iteration in the line.
My experience reviewing the Foundation Olmec Claro Double Corona was an overall average flavor experience, with the most complex and engaging combinations coming in the first third. The second and last thirds were too light and not at all engaging. I felt as if I smoked the wrong size for this blend, and although I can't see myself returning to the Double Corona, I'll be giving this a shot in a different vitola.
This HVC Selección No. 1 Esenciales was a really good cigar, and a cigar I would come back to over and over again. A strong cigar that has a flavor profile to my liking as well. Wood, leather, earth and cocoa qualities. Lots of pepper. I would smoke these all the time. Bring it on first thing in the morning. With that being said, this cigar lingers on the palate after smoking. It is great to see some awesome corona gordas released in 2022.
The Punch Rare Corojo Aristocrat had an average flavor profile throughout. The first third had the most complexity, but as some components began dropping out, the profile was very linear and boring. Not a cigar I would see myself coming back to, but a cigar that is definitely approachable for newer smokers.
The Diamond Crown Black Diamond Emerald delivered a dark earth and espresso profile for most of the review, which was interesting and engaging. The last third became more earth forward and not as balanced as the previous two thirds. I would smoke the Diamond Crown Black Diamond Emerald again if I was in the mood for a darker earth forward flavor profile.
The Howard G All Pro Series Ike Taylor’s 1OFAHKINE Connecticut Torpedo kept me engaged for the majority of the review, with more fuller flavors than you'd get with a more classical Connecticut, while still giving some of the core Connecticut components. I would definitely smoke another of these again at my next opportunity.