The German Engineered NN01 was a curious dichotomy as it seemed to deliver on good flavors in the first and second third, although sitting back down to write the review I couldn't tell you what stood out for me for the profile or overall impression. I would smoke one of these again. The price should make these quite approachable for most smokers.
The Viaje Circa ’45 Reserva Edición Limitada was a pretty average flavor experience, and when you factor in the price tag, I'd say a disappointing delivery for a Limitada release. I would not smoke this cigar again, there are numerous other Viaje offerings that are more affordable and provide a significantly better flavor experience.
A fantastic cigar, the Joya de Nicaragua Número Uno Le Premier is made for connoisseurs and yet approachable to novices. The more time you take in focusing on the flavors delivered, the more you will pickup, but if you simply want to smoke a quality cigar and not focus on flavors, this will be perfect and still show quality notes. One of the best, if not best cigars I have smoked and reviewed this year.
The Lords of England Connecticut No. 3 Churchill started with a nice profile but once the sweetness left and dry earth joined in, it knocked the profile down to average the rest of the way. With a profile this linear, I would prefer it in a shorter vitola rather than such a lengthy smoking experience. This vitola isn't something I'd likely return to, but I would be interested in revisiting this in the Robusto to see what the overall profile would be like. Might be interesting paired with some coffee.
The 7-20-4 WK Series Churchill is a very approachable and flavorful experience with changing complexities. I enjoyed all three thirds equally providing dessert-like sweet buttered bread, dried nuts, soft cedar and varying levels of spice and minerality. This cigar will no doubt go in the rotation.
I went into the Freyja 12 Brísingamen thinking that the cigar was going to be a slightly stronger Freyja and really smoke like a big/full offering out of Tabacalera Palma. That was not the case at all. This cigar was elegant, not that Palma releases aren't, but much more elegant than I was expecting. These smoke good now and will age even better.
Overall, the H. Upmann 175th Anniversary was average throughout. I was looking forward to this specially fermented wrapper, but it was run over by the typical AJ Fernandez flavor profile which was disappointing. The flavor profile and price will likely steer me away from revisiting. I'd love to see this wrapper used by another blender just to see what it could do.
The knock on longer cigars like this Villiger La Vencedora Churchill is maintaining enjoyment from the flavor profile as long as possible and this one did pretty well. This vitola is a good offering in the line, and while it wouldn't be my first choice in vitola to pick up, I'd have no problem smoking it again.
Like the Diademas reviewed in 2018, the Joya de Nicaragua Cinco Decadas El General is also a good cigar. Compared to the Diademas, I found the El General isn't as balanced within providing sweetness, earth and spice. But nonetheless, this is a great cigar in which I will be visiting time and time again.
This is another good cigar from JSK. I especially enjoyed the leveling sharpness of cedar throughout the cigar as it intermingled with cocoa, dry earth, soil/dirt and hints of sweet cherries. Although I did enjoy the Jas Sum Kral Kralot Robusto Extra, there is tough competition of some excellent (new) Mexican San Andres cigars I smoked this year.