No doubt the best part of the Bond Roberts Dalia Linea B No.3 was the first third as it was smooth and easy going with a plethora of sweet, spice and umami characteristics. The vibe of something like this feels very European and I go straight to brands like Curivari and the early days of Cavalier.
The CAO Surplus Maduro Robusto had an average flavor profile throughout, focused around earth and toasted cedar. The black pepper built up as the cigar went along and the creamy cocoa was a nice touch. While this isn't a cigar I'd come back to with any real frequency, this is a fantastic bundle and budget cigar. The score matches up with many cigars that are priced 5 to 10 times what this costs. If you are a smoker on a budget, you'd be hard pressed to find a cigar that performs better than this at around the two dollar mark.
The Domain Entropy Corona Heritage Cabinet has a rounded rustic flavor profile with tasty cocoa, minerals, baking spices and dried red pepper spice all wrapped up in a small format cigar. The cigar world needs more of this combination.
The Ferio Tego Metropolitan 30 Years delivers a well-balanced and enjoyable first third supported by excellent construction. While the profile gradually becomes drier and more bitter as the cigar progresses, it never falls apart or becomes unpleasant. The lack of meaningful evolution and the increasingly wood-driven finish ultimately keep the cigar in average territory, but it remains an enjoyable and competently constructed smoking experience.
The Montecristo White Series Rothchilde started well, with a full combination of flavors, but took a step down in the second third as the pepper mellowed and some wood bitterness joined in. It took another step down in the final third as the wood bitterness ramped up and the toast became very heavy. Overall, a cigar that started with promise, but degraded through each third. The price is pretty high for the offering, but regardless of that, just based on flavor profile, not something I'd really see myself coming back to.
The first third was the only highlight of the cigar. The fullness of the meatiness/gaminess paired with milk creaminess and trailing star anise was a combination worthwhile to sit with. But the majority of the cigar showed a mediocre flavor profile of charred oak wood and cream, which became a bit monotonous. This is an overall pass for me.
The Punch Rare Corojo 25th Anniversary is a cigar that showcases an unusually sophisticated wood profile and excellent balance early on. Unfortunately, the profile gradually loses complexity and finishes with increasing dryness and bitterness. While the strong opening and excellent construction make for an enjoyable experience overall, the cigar ultimately settles into average territory due to its lack of progression through the latter stages.
The Fermin Perez Classic Habano Toro had a nice start, with a good combination of flavors, including the nice honey sweetness. As the sweetness departed in the second third, the profile took a step down and remained at that level for the rest of the cigar. Overall, a pretty average experience. I really wish the profile in the first third had lasted longer. All in all, not a cigar I'd really see myself coming back to.
This Davidoff Puro Dominicano Perfecto has good and not so good aspects. On one hand, I can view this as a smooth and refined smoking experience. On the other hand, I can view this as being too smooth where the flavors don't pop enough and isn't intricate enough. I overall view it the latter after smoking this singular cigar for review. But I do think it warrants going back to it a few times to make a more concrete answer.
While I liked the overall flavors centered around leather, cocoa, dried red pepper spice, cedar and faint anise, I didn't like how drying the mouthfeel was. And by the time the cigar got to the final third where the cedar got bitter, it was salt added to the wound. As such, this Cohiba Serie M Reserva Plata is a pass for me.