The Stoic Equanimity Wisdom had a complex profile out of the gate, but settled into a more predictable offering as it finished. From a construction standpoint, the draw was excellent throughout, and aside from a single re-light, the burn performed well enough to stay out of the way.
The Davidoff Winston Churchill Limited Edition 2025 The Artist had a nice start, with a good combination of flavors, but fell off in the second half as the cigar struggled to stay lit and needed some re-lights. The cigar seemed damp in the second half. It may need more time to truly acclimate and provide the flavor profile intended, but for this price point I would have expected a better experience.
The Macanudo Estate Reserve Flint Knoll No. 3 had an average flavor profile throughout, focused around toasted oak, earth and black pepper. Nothing that really stood out about the cigar. I never smoked the first two cigars in the series, so I don't have a basis for comparison, but as it sits, this isn't really a cigar I'd return to.
The Romeo y Julieta 1875 Vintage Lote Limited Edition had an average flavor profile throughout, just focused around the toasted aged cedar, earth, mustiness and black pepper. The aged nature of this cigar was very present as it was fairly mellow and a bit flat. Not a cigar I'd see coming back to, but I could see it pairing well with a non-peated Scotch.
The Villiger 1888 Nicaragua Churchill had an average flavor profile throughout, focused around the earth, toasted oak and creamy leather. I don't see myself really coming back to this cigar, but it does have an attractive price point, especially for the size and smoking time. I could see this as a good cigar for smokers that tend to shy away from Nicaraguan offerings as the profile is smooth and provides a slightly higher than medium strength.
The Maya Selva Flor de Selva Año del Dragón 2024 had a different and interesting flavor profile that kept me engaged through the first and second thirds without giving me palate fatigue. The last third was still enjoyable, but not quite at the same level of complexity. This is a cigar I will obviously smoke again, however this is something I would likely limit to special occasions.
I enjoyed the La Aurora 120th Anniversary Churchill, and I thought it was a solid blend, but I was hoping for more complexity, depth and transitioning. Nice core flavor profile, really nice, but it needed more to pop and really celebrate 120 years. Cigar seemed young as well.
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.