Ultimately, the Aganorsa Leaf Supreme Leaf Dave’s 20th Anniversary delivers a lively and engaging first half followed by a more restrained but still enjoyable finish. It’s a cigar that rewards smokers who appreciate distinct bursts of flavor early on, grounded by earth and minerality throughout, and wrapped in Aganorsa’s characteristic bread-and-spice signature.
The AJ Fernandez New World Decenio Robusto is a nice blend that captures that Mexican and Central American flavor profile. There is a nice cocoa and rich earth profile with some leather, tobacco, herbal and spice notes. There is balance with a nice level of complexity. The construction is perfect from start to finish, and it is an approachable cigar for many smokers. I would be curious to see the tobacco breakdown with this blend. I feel like the filler blend is much more Nicaraguan focused, but the Honduran tobacco has its place.
The Crowned Heads Broadway Epicure offered a restrained and balanced start, highlighted by sweet tobacco, nutmeg and some subtle vegetal notes. Unfortunately, the profile lost its balance in the second and final thirds, as dryness and bitterness began to weigh down the experience. The burn and draw were excellent throughout, but overall the flavor performance couldn’t sustain the promise of the first third.
I enjoyed the HVC La Rosa 520 10 Year Anniversary Originales. I loved many aspects of the cigar. The cigar was constructed and looked beautiful in presentation, and it delivered a solid flavor profile from start to finish. I loved the pepper, dry earth, wood, coffee and cream combo. The pricing is fantastic, and Reinier has been doing an incredible job at his new factory. He’s preserved and enhanced his brand with the establishment of his own factory.
The Artesano del Tobacco Viva La Vida Connecticut Robusto had a nice flavor profile through the first two thirds. The flavor components worked well together and there was enough transitioning to keep things interesting. The final third took a step down as the profile wasn't quite as dynamic, but still pleasant. This is a bit stronger Connecticut Shade offering than traditional offerings and it worked well. The price is a bit higher than my liking, but I would definitely come back to it and am interested in trying the other vitolas.
The MBombay Gaaja Natural Robusto delivered a well-balanced profile in the first and second thirds, with sweet tobacco, creamy chocolate, nuts and wood all playing well together. The first third was the most dynamic, showing transitions in sweetness, spice and wood intensity. The final third shifted toward a more tannic, dry wood focus, which was less engaging. Overall, a good cigar I’d be happy to smoke again.
Despite the pesky burn performance, I get behind the flavor profile of this Domain Entropy Robusto Gordo. There's familiar Connecticut Broadleaf in the sense of dank, gritty earthiness and cocoa. But this blend lends to a tad more spice, which is unique and welcoming. I'd enjoy more of these.
The Viso Horny 555 had a nice start with a good combination of flavors. It took a step down in the second third as the cocoa departed and remained that way for the duration of the cigar. Overall, a pretty average offering as I was hoping the cocoa powder could have stuck around longer. The price point is fairly high, which is understandable due to the low volume of production, but I just don't see myself really coming back to this cigar.
The Diesel Vintage Series Robusto Gordo started with a nice profile as the mellow cocoa note provided a welcome support note. Once that dropped out in the second third, the profile took a step down and remained that way the rest of the way. This blend is pretty on par with the Natural version of the line and these two cigars are probably my favorites from Diesel. But even with that being said, they aren't good enough to really make me want to come back to them. The price is great, so they are easy to try though to see what you think.
I thought the Powstanie Catastrophic Failure overall delivered rich flavors through the first and second third, with the profile at medium-plus richness throughout. The cigar intensified through the bottom half becoming more earth forward. Based on the flavor performance alone, this is a cigar I would seek out again, if it were still available. Factoring in the price point, which is below average for the 2025 market, I think this is an easy choice for anyone looking for a fuller bodied cigar, or anyone already a fan of the Powstanie offerings.