Personal Review

Personal Cigar Review: Perdomo Reserve 10th Anniversary Champagne Epicure

The Perdomo Reserve 10th Anniversary Champagne Epicure had a nice start as the simple flavor combination was well delivered. The profile dropped a level in the second third as the earth built up and remained at that level for the remainder of the cigar. This is a decent Connecticut shade offering that provides a heavier strength profile from traditional offerings. It's not a cigar I'd come back to with real frequency, but it's nice to revisit from time to time.

Aaron Loomis, March 27, 2026

Personal Cigar Review: Padron Series 3000 Natural

The Padron Series 3000 Natural had a nice start with the bold combination of peppers and dark roast coffee. It took a step down in the second third as the crushed red pepper was gone and the earth built up. It remained at that level for the remainder of the cigar. With this being a lower cost offering into the Padron portfolio, it's an easy try, but this isn't really a cigar I'd see coming back to with much frequency.

Aaron Loomis, March 20, 2026

Personal Cigar Review: La Flor Dominicana Double Claro No. 50

The La Flor Dominicana Double Claro No. 50 had a nice start, with hay, in all its iterations, actually enhancing the profile. It took a step down in the second third as the earth increased, and remained that way for the rest of the cigar. While I wouldn't put in the small group of top tier candelas on the market, it is better than most. I'd be open to trying this in another vitola to see how it compares.

Aaron Loomis, March 17, 2026

Personal Cigar Review: Avowed Awakening

The Avowed Awakening had a nice start with a unique creamy, musty, chalky, toasted cedar. It took a step down in the second third as the creaminess departed and the mustiness gained a dampness and remained at the level the rest of the way. This was the initial line for the brand and felt a bit aggressive with such a high price point. I like how it started, but it just couldn't build on that past the first third. I don't believe these cigars exist anymore, so I'm not eager to try to track any down.

Aaron Loomis, February 20, 2026

Personal Cigar Review: Rocky Patel Vintage 1990 Broadleaf Toro

The Rocky Patel Vintage 1990 Broadleaf Toro had an average flavor profile throughout and had that signature Honduran mustiness that some cigars from the region provide. Nothing all that exciting, but a serviceable flavor profile. The price is pretty attractive, and it's a long standing blend, but just not something I'd really see myself returning to.

Aaron Loomis, January 30, 2026

Personal Cigar Review: Dunbarton Tobacco & Trust Mi Querida Gorila Gordo

The Dunbarton Tobacco & Trust Mi Querida Gorila Gordo had a nice start with a good combination of flavors. It took a step down in the second third as the supporting notes mellowed and maintained that level for the rest of the way. I've really enjoyed this blend in the past, but I think this vitola is the least enjoyable expression of the blend that I've tried. I'd probably go for the Gordito or Ancho Largo instead of coming back to this size.

Aaron Loomis, January 9, 2026

Personal Cigar Review: RoMa Craft Intemperance Whiskey Rebellion 1794 Pennsatucky

The RoMa Craft Intemperance Whiskey Rebellion 1794 Pennsatucky had an average start with a lot of transitioning. The second third took a step up as the profile found a nice balance, but then dropped a level in the final third as the toast and earth increased and some wood bitterness joined in. A bit of a step up for this vitola over the Tarred & Feathered vitola I reviewed previously. Even though it was a bit improved over the other vitola, I'm still not sure it's a cigar I'd really come back to.

Aaron Loomis, January 2, 2026

Personal Cigar Review: La Flor Dominicana Suave Grand Maduro No. 5

The La Flor Dominicana Suave Grand Maduro No. 5 had a average profile throughout that was pretty linear. Focused around earth and toasted oak with some supporting notes of black pepper, cereal, vegetal bitterness and light creaminess. Another Mexican wrapped offering that was fairly earth dominant. I really enjoy this pressed vitola and would love to see it used on more cigars. Overall though, not a cigar that was all that exciting and not something I'd see myself really returning to.

Aaron Loomis, December 26, 2025

Personal Cigar Review: Powstanie Connecticut Justice

The Powstanie Connecticut Justice had a nice start, with a good combination of flavors. It took a step down in the second third as the hay increased and pepper mellowed and remained at that level the rest of the way. This cigar was right on par with the Toro we reviewed previously. It's not a cigar I'd really see returning to, but those that like a slightly stronger Connecticut shade, it might fit the bill.

Aaron Loomis, December 19, 2025

Personal Cigar Review: Drew Estate Blackened S84 Shade to Black Toro

The Drew Estate Blackened S84 Shade to Black Toro had an average flavor profile that matches up with the experience with the Robusto last year. Smoking the cigar now did show the construction paper note not being present, but that didn't improve the cigar as a whole. Still a pretty average Connecticut shade offering that I wouldn't see myself returning to.

Aaron Loomis, October 31, 2025