I like the Patina Connecticut Copper. It has a good flavor profile that has depth and complexity. There is not a ton of transitioning, but there are shifts in the flavor profile throughout the cigar that help deliver a good experience. The body and strength match with the flavor profile, and this is a cigar that will speak to many smokers. With a great burn and draw, this is a cigar I will come back to in the future.
Overall, this Black Label Trading Co. Macabre Corona Gorda was a well-balanced, nuanced cigar with enough unique characteristics to stand apart from the typical profile, earning a solid Good rating despite a finish that couldn't quite maintain the momentum established during the first two thirds.
I enjoyed the initial third's baseline of sweet and creaminess the most. Past the first third, the Drew Estate Undercrown El Tigre Dominicano Corona Viva became a bit more stale and highlighted bitterness in minerals and oak wood. Overall, it's not a flavor profile that I enjoy but I can see others enjoying this style of cigar.
The Hoyo de Monterrey Excalibur Natural No. IV had an average flavor profile through the first two thirds, focused around toasted cedar, earth and construction paper. It took a step down in the final third as the wood bitterness increased and then transitioned to vegetal bitterness and increased some more. A pretty traditional Connecticut shade offering, but it just didn't do enough to make it something I'd really want to come back to. The price point is attractive though, so it's an easy try for those that enjoy this flavor profile.
This Dunbarton Tobacco & Trust 10th Jubilee is a beautiful cigar. The only two complaints that could be used against the cigar, and I don’t think these are truly justified, is the draw is too snug, and it is too strong of a cigar. The flavors are complex throughout, and there is so much depth with the profile of the cigar. The size of the cigar is beautiful, and the smoking experience is fantastic. I want to smoke another one right now.
I immensely enjoyed the first two thirds of the Avowed Hallowed Hands Corona Gorda. The candy sweet and creaminess and animal crackers mixed with cedar and baking spices was a winning combination that gave off dessert vibes. I'm not all that annoyed by the burn because I enjoyed the flavors so much.
The Crux Passport Super Selection No. 2 is a cigar that shows some early intrigue but settles into a more straightforward, wood-driven profile. It’s consistent and well-constructed, but the evolution leans more toward simplification than expansion, resulting in an overall average experience.
The Arturo Fuente Don Carlos 90 Años is a good cigar. It has a flavor profile that is complex throughout, and the cigar shows some nice transitioning from beginning to end. The body and strength increased in the second and final third, and it has a nice burn and draw as well. The size on the blend is great, and I am curious to see what other vitolas there are with the blend. This is a good cigar, and I look forward to discovering the blend and brand.
Flavor-wise, the profile and progression strongly suggest a Nicaraguan character of earthy, wood-driven and spice-accented. In the end, this Crowned Heads Tennessee Waltz CG is a cigar that delivers consistency and solid construction but falls short of leaving a lasting impression, landing comfortably in Average territory.
The Stoic Equanimity Moderation was a good cigar. It had a nice core flavor profile that was present throughout the experience. There was some minor transitioning throughout the cigar, and it has a nice body and strength level. The wrapper was not too overpowering with the size, and I appreciate that the cigar was not overpowering with the wrapper.