Cigar Reviews

Personal Cigar Review: Alec Bradley Safe Keepings Robusto

The Alec Bradley Safe Keepings Robusto had an average flavor profile through the first two thirds, focused around heavily toasted cedar, earth and walnut shell. It took a step down in the final third as the heavy toast transitioned to light char and some wood bitterness joined. Not really a great experience as the heavy toast, and later char, was a bit of a hinderance to the rest of the components. I don't see myself returning to this one.

Aaron Loomis, June 20, 2025

Team Cigar Review: Raices Cubanas Liga de Reyes Toro

I enjoyed the Raices Cubanas Liga de Reyes Toro, and while I believe the score is the same as the Clásico, I prefer this blend overall. I would prefer the blend in a smaller format, but the larger Toro was not out of hand. There is a sweetness to the blend, but it is balanced with warm baking spices. The Nicaraguan tobacco plays its part in this blend, and it elevates the overall blend. It's not about where the tobacco is from, but if it is good tobacco.

Seth Geise, June 18, 2025

Team Cigar Review: Powstanie Catastrophic Failure

I thought the Powstanie Catastrophic Failure overall delivered rich flavors through the first and second third, with the profile at medium-plus richness throughout. The cigar intensified through the bottom half becoming more earth forward. Based on the flavor performance alone, this is a cigar I would seek out again, if it were still available. Factoring in the price point, which is below average for the 2025 market, I think this is an easy choice for anyone looking for a fuller bodied cigar, or anyone already a fan of the Powstanie offerings.

John McTavish, June 16, 2025

Personal Cigar Review: Joya de Nicaragua Clásico Original Torpedo

The Joya de Nicaragua Clásico Original Torpedo had an average flavor profile throughout, focused around the toasted cedar and earth, with black pepper being the primary supporting note. This is a fairly typical Connecticut shade offering and doesn't really stand out from the pack. The price is attractive, but it's not high on my list to revisit.

Aaron Loomis, June 13, 2025

Team Cigar Review: AJ Fernandez Enclave by Eladio Diaz Robusto

So there's only good things about this cigar, regardless of my average tasting experience. The good things are: 1) It tastes like AJ so for the plethora fans out there, winner winner. 2) It's only $9 for a Robusto extra-ish. Chicken dinner. With all that said though, the AJ Fernandez Enclave by Eladio Diaz Robusto isn't for me.

Jiunn Liu, June 11, 2025

Team Cigar Review: Raices Cubanas Clasico Toro

Great price point and great flavors lasting through the majority of the smoking time. I love these combinations, especially when nowadays it seems like brands are pushing far too many ultra premium price points that don't live up to the price tag. I can see myself smoking these Raices Cubanas Clasico Toro on a daily basis and enjoying them as either the first smoke of the day or the last smoke of the day. Please keep these coming.

Jiunn Liu, June 9, 2025

Personal Cigar Review: A Bronx Tale

The A Bronx Tale had an average flavor profile throughout. The cinnamon graham cracker was nice at the beginning, but didn't last long. Overall, it seems like a cigar that would be approachable to many, which makes sense based on the brand and the market it targets, but for me, it isn't something I'd see coming back to.

Aaron Loomis, June 6, 2025

Team Cigar Review: La Flor Dominicana Litto Gomez 55th Anniversary Emeraude TAA

The La Flor Dominicana Litto Gomez 55th Anniversary Emeraude TAA delivered a heavier profile centered around earth, coffee and tobacco. I found the flavors balanced well in the first third but seemed to fight to retain that balance through the rest of the review experience. This cigar also carries a bit of a premium price point, and based on that and the flavor profile I'd rather seek out some of the regular production LFD offerings.

John McTavish, June 4, 2025

Team Cigar Review: Dunbarton Tobacco & Trust Sobremesa Solita Red

This Dunbarton Tobacco & Trust Sobremesa Solita Red is probably the strongest DTT cigar I've smoked to date. But a strong cigar without good flavors is a waste of time and my palate. Luckily for me, this was a cigar that was both strong and flavorful. The strength, matched with the red pepper spice and heat, was a great complement to each other. The other trailing notes of cedar, cafe au lait and shelled mixed nuts gave it the softness and complexities that it needed.

Jiunn Liu, June 2, 2025

Team Cigar Review: CAO FASA Noche Toro

The CAO FASA Noche Toro had a nice start as the chalky cocoa provided a pleasant accent. As it departed in the second third, the profile took a step down and remained that way for the remainder of the cigar. This cigar had a profile that showed through some of the homogenized flavors that were present and typical of STG releases that I experience. Around the middle of the cigar, the profile succumbed to the homogenized components, but I think there is still a good flavor profile hidden in there.

Aaron Loomis, May 30, 2025