The La Galera Imperial Jade Churchill had an interesting trajectory as the first third saw all of the flavor components arrive at different times, the second third showed them off working together and then the final third saw a build up of toast and bitterness. Overall, I don't see this as something I'd come back to, but I might be interested in checking out a different vitola as the line has an attractive price point.
The Quesada Manolo Quesada 75th Anniversary delivered some engaging and nuanced flavor combinations through the first and second thirds. Unfortunately, the last third became harsh and unbalanced, and I can't help but think it was due to the cigar going out. I would definitely smoke the Quesada Manolo Quesada 75th Anniversary again. It's a good representation of the kind of cigars that Quesada can blend.
I don't remember the last time I had a balanced and nuanced Crowned Heads, and I freaking love it! To be honest, Crowned Heads has been a swing and a miss for quite some time (especially the limited edition releases). But the Crowned Heads Sfumato in C Major cures all past blends.
This Dunbarton Tobacco & Trust Muestra de Saka The Bewitched was one of the most balanced and composed Saka blends that I've had. Each flavor blended well without ever being spikey (sans the final third). Even saying this, the cigar did showcase what I find in many of Saka's blends, (earthiness, good body and depth). I'll gladly smoke more of these.
The Alec Bradley Fine & Rare BC-(13)4EV is a winner in my book. The profile showed good depth, balance, and composure. With just the right mix of spice, earth and sweetness, this is one I'd smoke again. And call me crazy, because I actually think the higher premium of $24 per cigar isn't too high, considering the price hike of the average cigar nowadays. Nicely done.
Having smoked (I think) three iterations of Sin Compromiso, one main theme is clearly evident. The mouthfeel of tannins is superb. The flavors are overall on point too, providing a finer earthiness of cocoa, cedar, minerals and dry red pepper spice. The price point of the Dunbarton Tobacco & Trust Sin Compromiso Selección Paladin de Saka is tough to swallow though.
I never smoked the original so I can't say how it compares, but this CAO Vision was a fairly average experience overall. I can see it appealing to a wide range of smokers that gravitate to this basic type of profile, but I need something more to maintain my attention. With the experience I had, combined with the high price point, I don't really see myself returning to this cigar.
If it isn't obvious from the name, the 601 La Bomba Warhead VII is a full flavored, full strength cigar, but the blend of the VII release manages to ramp up to that instead of blasting you on your first few puffs. I found the flavors to be engaging and at times nuanced through the first and second thirds. There's no question, I will return to the La Bomba Warhead VII again.
For being high priced at $39 and especially bearing the Davidoff brand name, the Davidoff Chefs Edition 2021 was a disappointment. The astringent leather stayed on my palate hours after smoking the cigar. Not even food helped the matter. I know Davidoff can and should do better than this. I will not be back for more.
Granted, I haven't consistently kept up with the Camacho Liberty Series (especially the newer releases), I never had this type of lackluster experience. And being completely honest, this Camacho Liberty 2021 borderlines being average and subpar. The mixture of flavors were odd and unbalanced being oddly bitter and leathery dry vegetation driven with minerals and cedar.