The Foundation El Güegüense 5 Year Aniversario overall was a good experience, but I still find myself a bit disappointed. When you consider some of the high performing past Foundation releases, the fact that this is an anniversary cigar, and the price point, I feel that the cigar under performed.
The AVO Regional North Edition provides a nuanced, balanced and engaging cigar experience for at least two thirds, and a pleasant smoking experience for the last. The natural comparison here is going to be to the South Edition, and I gravitate towards the North Edition. One could say it's just a bit more refined.
The Foundation The Tabernacle Goliath did enough to keep my palate engaged through the first and second thirds. The last third was a bit of a let down, but the combination of flavors and an interesting vitola format won me over in the end. The price point might have me hesitant to smoke these more regularly, but I think this will be another release win for Foundation.
In the giant scheme of things, the Davidoff Special 53 Capa Dominicana is a good cigar. The perfecto smokes wonderfully and it produces flavors of cocoa, spices, coffee and wood. As a limited, special, and even Davidoff release, it is justified in saying the cigar is disappointing. I was hoping for a little bit more in the flavor department and that Davidoff could show an even better Dominican puro than they have released in the past.
The Drew Estate Undercrown Shade Suprema had a nice start, but went downhill in each third as some components dropped out and bitterness joined in. Past the first third, the profile is very traditional Connecticut shade with the dry and musty wood and bitterness. I likely won't return to this vitola as I would go back to the previous sizes, but if I'm in the mood for a unique size, I'll go after the Flying Pig.
The Napa Cigar Society Perfecto was an overall good cigar. The cigar was highly earthy, providing rich soil. In combination with the earthiness were red pepper spice and a gentle sweet and creamy nuttiness. Although most of the cigar was enjoyable, I'm unsure it is $16 enjoyable. As such, this is a grab a couple to try recommendation.
The Powstanie Wojtek had a pretty simple flavor profile with not much transition, but even so, it did it well. While the price is a bit high for a cigar of this size, it provided a longer than expected smoking time, so it does provide value with the flavor delivery and smoking length. I'd be happy to smoke more of these and would have no problem recommending that others give this a try.
The JFR Lunatic Loco El Gran Loco didn't have a lot of complexity or beautiful transitioning and depth throughout, but it was a solid cigar. If you look at how they blended for a cigar of this nature, they did a great job.
The Providencia Trinitas delivers rich San Andres chocolate notes, with flavors of cedar, minerality and baking spices. I found the first and second thirds delivered consistent flavors with the final third being average. The burn was very good, but the draw did struggle for some time before finally opening up.
The La Aurora Preferidos 1903 Edition Diamond No. 2 Tubos has an enjoyable combination of spices, cedar, sweet malts, chocolate, pepper, barbecue and earth. The construction is flawless, and the overall cigar experience is a good one. The first and second thirds were the highlight of the cigar, with the flavor complexity falling in the last third.
