It's been a while since I had a consistently good Artista. This Artista Harvest Robusto hits in all the great ways. Sweet, spicy, stone fruit, all working in great harmony. If you're like me and pass on most Artista cigars, don't turn your head on this one and try a few.
The Kristoff Guardrail Robusto started well, with an interesting combination of flavors. From the second third on, it dropped a level as the earth was a primary player and the supporting notes fell back. This was an interesting cigar to smoke with the Zimbabwe tobacco, but I'm not sure that I can pinpoint any specific influence it had on the blend. Interesting to try, but not something I'd really see myself coming back to.
The flavor profile was average throughout, but the takeaway for me from the PDR El Criollito Robusto was the construction issues. Having to babysit the burn and draw just aren't something I'm interested in. I'd be interested in revisiting a better constructed version, but it's not really high on my list to do so.
The VegaFina Nicaragua Jalapa had an average flavor profile throughout, focused around toasted cedar, earth and black pepper. It never really kept my attention and was fairly mundane. I don't see this as a cigar I'd come back to.
The overall profile for the J.C. Newman The American Double Robusto was pretty average throughout with some slight transitions that never took the cigar to a higher level. In my opinion, this is not the best vitola for the line and I wouldn't really see myself returning to this one.
The Warped Eagles Descent 2022 had a fairly simple and average flavor profile throughout. It was a bit dry and could have used some sweetness to liven things up a bit. Not a cigar that is all that intriguing and not something I really see myself coming back to.
At this point in time, i.e. smoking the cigar for review about 3 months after release, the cigar is average tasting. Interestingly enough, I smoked this cigar at a local cigar shop about 2.5 months ago and the cigar was much more enjoyable. It has the overall Tatuaje ID of great body and heavier and bolder flavors, but it's not packaged well yet. I know it will get better with some time.
I must have missed the memo on companies going Double Broadleaf in 2022. There have been hits and misses with these releases, but the Rocky Patel DBS Robusto is a true hit. Almost sunk my battleship. The cigar had transitioning throughout and a cornucopia of complex flavors. Great strength and balance as well. I think the only low point was the draw, but a great blend overall.
I heard some complaints that the Joya de Nicaragua Cinco Décadas El Cumiche was just Joya de Nicaragua re-releasing a great cigar in different vitola sizes every year. I'm not sure how that can be a bad thing when they've managed to dial in a blend that is consistently good and engaging through the entire cigar. Would I smoke this again? Absolutely I would.
I thought the Rocky Patel The Edge 20th Anniversary Robusto delivered some interesting and tasty flavors that combined in ways to keep me engaged through most of the review. Being a big fan of the various other Edge offerings, I was eager to try the 20th Anniversary edition, and I would come back to this.