Overall, the Micallef A Gordo was fairly mundane. The stale note to the oak was a bit of a detractor and the finish with the char and light bitterness was a bit of a bummer. For the size, the price is fairly attractive, but you'd need to really like the flavor profile to make it work. For me, I don't see myself returning to this one.
The La Gianna Havana Angelic Toro provided a pretty similar profile that I get from lower grade, sometimes bundle Connecticut Shade offerings. The bitterness and burning paper notes were definitely a detractor. The sweetened head only lasted a short time and may have helped if it was around longer. The price point is a bit high for what the experience was and I don't see coming back to this cigar.
Quite a linear profile of musty cedar and dry earth with the profile becoming quite dry by the midpoint. No complexities or transitions to really speak of. The snug draw was a bit of a downer, but didn't have any ill effects on the performance. The price point is quite attractive, but there's nothing here that would make me want to come back to the CAO Zocalo Robusto.
Overall, the Protocol Sir Robert Peel Maduro Corona Gorda was fairly average as the damp, musty wood wasn't my favorite and it was the dominant component of the profile. All in all, the cigar keeps up with the original release in the line, but still isn't something I'd see myself coming back to all that frequently.
Overall, the Platinum Nova Personal Reserve Leo 11 had a pretty basic flavor profile that just had slight transitions in fullness of the components. The burn issues didn't seem to effect the flavor profile, but did put a damper on the overall smoking experience. An interesting limited cigar to smoke, but not something I see myself returning to.
Overall, the Punch Aniversario Double Corona was pretty average with a fairly basic flavor profile. The price point is a bit high, but if you enjoy the flavor profile, you get a lengthy smoking experience, so there may be some value there. For me, it was a bit too boring and I don't see coming back to the cigar.
The El Septimo Gilgamesh Collection Sable Shamash had an average flavor profile throughout. I'm sure bringing out the lighter a few times didn't help. Always interesting trying a new brand, but at the high price point, it's not something I'd return to. I do look forward to trying some of their other offerings though.
Overall, the flavor profile of the La Gloria Cubana Criollo de Oro Toro was pretty boring. A typical profile from the brand that didn't bring anything unique with the hybrid wrapper. The price point isn't anything crazy, but not something that I think brings value. Not a cigar I'd see myself coming back to.
The Asylum Arkham 52x6 started well, but fell off as the chalkiness joined and the toast level increased. The final third dropped off as the char and bitterness joined. Overall, I don't see this as a cigar I'd return to as the final third took away from the positives of the first third. The price point is attractive, so it's an easy try to see what you think.
The Diesel Sunday Gravy San Marzano was about what I expected from the brand at this price point, a bundle type flavor profile. While the first third was average, it went downhill from there and isn't something that was all that enjoyable. If you're a Diesel fan or a bundle smoker, give it a try, but I can't see myself coming back to this.