Lonsdale Archives - Developing Palates - Cigar, Beer and Spirit Reviews and Ratings

Team Cigar Review: Illusione Allegria Lonsdale

The Illusione Allegria Lonsdale had a nice flavor profile through the first two thirds and then dropped a level in the final third as the balance got off a bit. I think this cigar is a good fit under the OneOff umbrella as I enjoyed it similarly to those releases. This carries a bit of a lower price point than those offerings, and I'd be interested in trying some of the other vitolas in this line. If you're an Illusione fan, I'd suggest giving this one a try.

Aaron Loomis, January 2, 2023

Team Cigar Review: Freud SuperEgo Lonsdale

The Freud SuperEgo Lonsdale had an elegant and nuanced flavor profile throughout, with consistently balanced and lighter flavor combinations. The SuperEgo Lonsdale is a cigar you have to pay attention to, and even at times dig to grasp the flavor nuance. With all of that said, I was impressed and will happily smoke another of these when I have an opportunity.

John McTavish, December 19, 2022

Team Cigar Review: Joya de Nicaragua Antaño CT Lonsdale

After smoking several sizes, you really can't go wrong with any Antaño CT. All will give you those nice white/soft notes that we all love in a Connecticut Shade. The bitterness may come, but it's never entirely off-putting. I'd recommend getting a sampler pack of various Antanos and find out if the Joya de Nicaragua Antaño CT Lonsdale is your favorite.

Jiunn Liu, November 21, 2022

Team Cigar Review: Cuesta-Rey No. 95 Cameroon

"True" Cameroon wrappers have always been intriguing to me. There's the ideal of where it should come from, where the best come from, and there is talk about how if it's right, it'll taste rich in spice and sweetness alike. But the (my) reality is, I haven't had many good ones. Then comes this Cuesta-Rey No. 95 Cameroon. Rich, sweet, spicy and full of flavors. This was great from first to last draw.

Jiunn Liu, October 5, 2022

Team Cigar Review: La Sirena Mexican Mermaid Lancero

The La Sirena Mexican Mermaid Lancero showcases some of the best things from Mexican San Andres wrapper. No doubt having it as a binder has only amplified the flavor combinations here, and yet nothing seemed overpowering until the earth in the last third.

John McTavish, July 27, 2022

Team Cigar Review: Aganorsa Leaf Guardian of the Farm Cerberus Lonsdale

Not quite the Aganorsa corojo experience I was looking for. The profile starts off muted, eventually being sharp in pepper and minerals. This Aganorsa Leaf Guardian of the Farm Cerberus Lonsdale further confirms my overall feelings about recent Aganorsa offerings; i.e. they've deteriorated. The cigars either taste rushed and/or highly unbalanced. I'll still hold onto hope because I know how good Aganorsa tobaccos can be.

Jiunn Liu, June 22, 2022

Personal Cigar Review: VegaFina 1998 Vintage 1 VF 42L

The VegaFina 1998 Vintage 1 VF 42L was an average experience throughout as it was a bit dry based on the flavor components. With this being a non-U.S. release, I can see how the flavor/strength combination was setup, but it just wasn't all that exciting. This cigar definitely showed better than the VF 50 that was a U.S. release and we reviewed previously, but it's still not something I'd really see myself coming back to.

Aaron Loomis, April 22, 2022

Team Cigar Review: Crowned Heads Le Pâtissier

The Crowned Heads Le Pâtissier delivered some interesting flavor combinations in the first third, leaning towards the espresso and earth spectrum. The second and last thirds were still pleasant but lacked the dynamic nature of the first third. Most of the time Crowned Heads is a hit for me, so I feel like I'd revisit the Le Pâtissier again in the future to see if some age helped that second third harmonize better.

John McTavish, April 11, 2022

Personal Cigar Review: Partagas Limited Reserve Decadas 2020

The flavor profile of the Partagas Limited Reserve Decadas 2020 was a fairly smooth mix of earth, wood and black pepper, but it wasn't anything all that exciting. I could see a fair number of smokers enjoying the smooth profile, but with the high price point and average flavor experience, it's not something I really see myself returning to. This was just a bit too basic to keep my attention.

Aaron Loomis, February 18, 2022

Team Cigar Review: Tabak Especial Negra Lonsdale

The Tabak Especial Negra Lonsdale was really quite basic and I didn't get much more than a light creamy coffee in the first half to really make me think this was part of the Tabak line. I'm not sure if the infusion was light on this sample or just very light on this vitola, but it just didn't hit me the way past Tabak's have.

Aaron Loomis, July 9, 2021