No doubt the best part of the Bond Roberts Dalia Linea B No.3 was the first third as it was smooth and easy going with a plethora of sweet, spice and umami characteristics. The vibe of something like this feels very European and I go straight to brands like Curivari and the early days of Cavalier.
The Tatuaje Escasos H had an average flavor profile throughout, focused around toasted cedar and dry earth. While the flavor profile was smooth with lower strength, the dry earth kind of dampened the other flavors, which I believe didn't allow it to shine as it could have. Not a cigar that really excites me and not something I'd likely to return to.
The Arturo Fuente Curly Head Deluxe Maduro had an average flavor profile throughout, focused around slightly smoky, toasted oak and earth. This maduro version was definitely a step above the Natural as it maintained the average flavor profile throughout and never succumbed to the woes that most budget cigars suffer from, which is bitterness or heavy toast. While this isn't a cigar I'd really come back to, for those that smoke on a budget, this is a must try as it definitely punches above its price.
The Arturo Fuente Curly Head Deluxe Natural had an average start and then dropped a level in the second third as the paper gained some bitterness. It remained at that level for the remainder of the cigar. This is a serviceable budget cigar, but the bitterness of the paper was a detriment, which is unfortunate. With the perfect construction, if it could have dodged the bitterness, it would be an attractive cheap smoking experience. Not a cigar I'd see coming back to.
I enjoyed the La Flor Dominicana Apollonia TAA 2025. I loved the flavor profile generated and the complexities with the cigar. It showed depth throughout with not a lot of transitioning required. The burn and draw were great additions to the flavor profile from the cigar, and it's a cigar I would come back to in the future. Interested in other vitolas as well.
The RoMa Craft Intemperance Whiskey Rebellion 1794 Pennsatucky had an average start with a lot of transitioning. The second third took a step up as the profile found a nice balance, but then dropped a level in the final third as the toast and earth increased and some wood bitterness joined in. A bit of a step up for this vitola over the Tarred & Feathered vitola I reviewed previously. Even though it was a bit improved over the other vitola, I'm still not sure it's a cigar I'd really come back to.
The RoMa Craft Intemperance Volstead VO 1920 Judas Hole delivered an engaging and consistent profile of creamy bread, pastry sweetness and evolving spice expressions. The transitions from cayenne to baking spice and red-hot candy added enjoyable complexity without ever becoming overwhelming. The Volstead is already in my regular smoking rotation, now it's just a matter of narrowing down what my favorite vitola is.
I found this Villiger La Capitana Lonsdale to be both unique and delicious. The mixture of savory, herbal and sweet qualities worked really well off each other. The only complaint that I really have is, what's with the band artwork? It doesn't follow anything along the Villiger profile.
This Dunbarton Tobacco & Trust Sobremesa Solita Red is probably the strongest DTT cigar I've smoked to date. But a strong cigar without good flavors is a waste of time and my palate. Luckily for me, this was a cigar that was both strong and flavorful. The strength, matched with the red pepper spice and heat, was a great complement to each other. The other trailing notes of cedar, cafe au lait and shelled mixed nuts gave it the softness and complexities that it needed.
The J. London Gold Series Lonsdale had a nice flavor profile through the first two thirds. It offered a bit of a bolder strength level and a nice combination of flavors. It took a step down in the final third as the creaminess and coffee was mellow and some wood bitterness joined in. I was pretty impressed with this offering. I love the size, and a bolder Connecticut shade is nice to find. I'd come back to this cigar and am interested in trying another vitola.