This JRE Aladino Candela Robusto was an average candela. Price is nice, but it's an average candela. If it had some earthiness with the candela profile, it would have been better. A prettier wrapper would have helped the cigar as well. Nice lemon curd profile in the first two thirds. When it was paired with the cedar, lemongrass and white pepper notes, it was great. Just needed something more.
Overall, the Sencillo Black Lancero was a good cigar. Bolder and rustic delivery of mala dried red pepper spice, earthy dirt grit, and softened nicely by naturally sweet and creamy mixed nuts. This isn't the type of flavor profile that I necessarily enjoy, but the delivery of the bolder flavors mixed with softer flavors was well done. And a great burning and drawing lancero to boot.
The O.M. Cigar Essential Blend No. 1 Torpedo started out with an interesting earth forward profile in the first third. As it progressed, that earth profile became unbalanced, and by the last third it took on some bitter components which were off-putting. Given the burn issues I would likely take another pass at this cigar to see if another one performed better.
The Davidoff Year of the Rabbit Limited Edition 2023 had a complex profile through the first two thirds and then became less dynamic in the final third. It really amped up the profile from multiple blends the company has employed previously. This is a cigar I'd definitely come back to, but the high price point is a bit of a detractor. Nice to see a step back up for the Year of series.
At this point in time, i.e. smoking the cigar for review about 3 months after release, the cigar is average tasting. Interestingly enough, I smoked this cigar at a local cigar shop about 2.5 months ago and the cigar was much more enjoyable. It has the overall Tatuaje ID of great body and heavier and bolder flavors, but it's not packaged well yet. I know it will get better with some time.
The Warzone Rabito was a nice addition to the Warzone offerings. The cigar was spicier and fuller in body and strength than past releases, but it still offered those complex and enjoyable flavor qualities. Much more concentrated in this smaller offering. I do think the cigar, like all Warzones will age well, and if you wanted a little more strength and body with Warzone, this cigar captures those qualities.
This Caldwell Long Live The Queen Queen's Crown is the exact profile of Caldwell cigars that I enjoy. Cigars that are first and foremost undeniably full of flavors. The flavors in themselves meld well with the softer and spikier notes. The stronger strength is not typically there but the strength never took away from the focus of the flavors. Well done.
This Villiger Villiger de Nicaragua Edición Limitada 2022 was a solid blend from beginning to end. Love the diversity of tobacco in the cigar. Rich profile that is one of the few examples of dark Ecuadorian Sumatra flavor working well. Some transitioning, but it made up for it with the depth and complexity. Nice strength and body level as well. If the factory keeps producing cigars like this, I see good things for Villiger.
The Dunbarton Tobacco & Trust Stillwell Star Bayou No. 32 was quite monotonous as the flavor profile was concentrated around the core set of flavors that coated my tongue and weren't all that exciting. The degradation in the final third with the char joining just capped off the not so great performance. Thus far, this is my least favorite of the series. Not one I'd come back to.
This Espinosa Knuckle Sandwich Connecticut Short Churchill G is new(er) age Connecticut shade done right. That is, a baseline profile that is full of soft flavors touching on sweetness, creaminess and nuttiness. The newer age side of it being a bit more spice than your traditional old school Connecticut shade. Pleasure to smoke and will be back for more.