The Kristoff Guardrail Robusto started well, with an interesting combination of flavors. From the second third on, it dropped a level as the earth was a primary player and the supporting notes fell back. This was an interesting cigar to smoke with the Zimbabwe tobacco, but I'm not sure that I can pinpoint any specific influence it had on the blend. Interesting to try, but not something I'd really see myself coming back to.
This Cohiba Riviera Robusto is the first Cohiba that's not made at El Titan de Bronze that is well worth it. Even though it's Mexican San Andres, it kind of smokes like a quality Connecticut broadleaf without the heavier chewiness. The price is a bit steep for what it is, but since I care most about flavors, I'm all in on this one.
Words I used like balanced and nuanced are positive indicators of a good cigar. However, when these words are paired with light flavors, then it becomes not as good. If the flavors were fuller like the second third, the smoking experience would be entirely different. But as is, the thin flavors created an overall lackluster smoking experience with the SP1014 Black 6x54, in which I will pass on in the future.
The Brick House Bricktoberfest 2022 had a pretty average flavor profile throughout. The stale/cardboard effect on the cedar along with the dry earth just didn't really intrigue me. I don't really see myself coming back to this cigar, but if you like a drier, cedar and earth focused flavor profile, it might be worth a try.
The E.P. Carrillo Pledge of Allegiance started out well enough with interesting flavor combinations. Some of those flavors were still present in the second third but didn't engage me in the same way as the first third. By the last third, the profile did not have interesting or enjoyable flavor combinations and I found it fairly flat. When you combine the flavor performance with the higher price point, this cigar is a pass for me and I would rather seek out another one of their core offerings which performs well.
The Micallef Black Robusto had a nice start with a dynamic flavor profile. Things mellowed in the second third and dropped a level and maintained that profile the rest of the way. This is an interesting offering from the brand at a lower price point. While I found the cigar OK, it's not something I'd see myself returning to all that often, but I'm interested in trying the Toro vitola.
The flavor profile was average throughout, but the takeaway for me from the PDR El Criollito Robusto was the construction issues. Having to babysit the burn and draw just aren't something I'm interested in. I'd be interested in revisiting a better constructed version, but it's not really high on my list to do so.
The Black Label Trading Co. La Madonna Negra Rothschild was a delight to smoke with flavor intensity ranging from light-plus up to medium-full at times but never causing palate fatigue. I thoroughly enjoyed the review and for an anniversary release cigar the price point is extremely attractive. I'm not sure the short vitola allowed the cigar to fully develop and I'd be interested in trying this in the Corona Gorda or the Robusto.
It's been a while since I've had a cigar open so great and turn into an average dud. The first third did such a great job of balancing varying spectrums of flavors, but by the time the second third started, the profile became uneventful. I'd love to smoke more of these to gauge if the first third goodness can hold on longer. But given this singular cigar review of the Ozgener Aramas A52, it's a pass.
The Jas Sum Kral Munchies Bananas Foster was pleasant throughout, with the most dynamic flavors coming in the first third. I was hoping for a more intense banana flavor like the intensity from the Munchies Rocky Road. Although this is probably not something I would return to, I appreciate that the flavors are natural and don't have an artificial sweetness or chemical nature to them.