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.
I really enjoyed this Highclere Castle Senetjer and the flavor profile delivered. Balanced with some dry earth and cocoa qualities. Balance of sweet and peppery with the spices. Great construction. Well made cigar with nice strength and body to pair the flavors as well. Beautiful presentation. Hard to not buy a box of these cigars. Great offering by Highclere Castle and Foundation.
I really enjoyed the AJ Fernandez New World Dorado Figurado, and it was a nice return to the New World line/brand. I thought it was a solid Nicaraguan puro that delivered an enjoyable flavor profile that was present throughout. Not overly complex, or showing a lot of transitioning, but an overall good blend. I prefer the Toro vitola offering, but a nice Figurado.
The Punch Rare Corojo Aristocrat had an average flavor profile throughout. The first third had the most complexity, but as some components began dropping out, the profile was very linear and boring. Not a cigar I would see myself coming back to, but a cigar that is definitely approachable for newer smokers.
I enjoyed the Asylum Ten 11/18, and it is no surprise. You present me with a Honduran blend like this and I will be happy. It is balanced and has a profile to my liking. There are subtle flavors throughout, and it is focused around wood, earth, barnyard and cream notes. Nice body and strength with that as well.
I found the Tatuaje Avion Tuxtla to be the most enjoyable of the Tuxtla offerings. With that, a really good Mexican offering overall. Brought me back to all the past Avions I have smoked, which was enjoyable as well. A good experience. Balanced cigar with great construction and draw. Enjoyable flavor profile. Nice notes of cocoa, espresso, earth and leather.
The Rocky Patel Disciple Bala delivers quite the visual spectacle for the pre-light, and there is a time through the first third where the cigar shows promise, unfortunately the dark and earthy nature of the profile just becomes palate fatiguing for the remainder of the review. Although I do really enjoy full bodied cigars, the Bala seemed to provide strength at the expense of flavor complexity.
I really enjoyed the JRE Aladino Corojo Reserva Figurado. It is a great blend that produces lovely flavors from beginning to end. Wonderful balance and nice strength and body. For those of you who hate large ring gauges, you will not mind the larger ring gauge with the Toro or the Figurado. It is a line, that when it's in the right vitola, produces an amazing Honduran puro.
Overall, the God of Fire Aniversario 56 was a pleasant experience along with very good construction. While I could see coming back to this cigar from time to time, the high price point puts a bit of a damper on that. Releases like this are fun to experience, but as is the case here, show that they are ones that are usually worth it once, but not on a regularly recurring basis.
Overall, the Oliva Serie V Melanio Maduro Figurado 2020 is a good cigar. It is a nice Oliva and a solid Mexican San Andres offering. I don't think I would go crazy over the release, and I know Oliva has released better annual offerings, but a good cigar. Nice balance and flavors throughout.