This Alfonso Añejos No. 2 is the route back to greatness for Selected Tobacco S.A. The early days of having incredible nuance, balance, and in general a great cigar is almost back with this release. This cigar (for the first two thirds) had such a large array of flavors that worked in great harmony. It's not often I smoke a cigar like this, but it is a treat.
I really enjoyed the Alec Bradley Double Broadleaf Robusto, and I will definitely be smoking it again. I will probably gravitate towards the Toro and Gran Corona vitolas, but that is how I am with Alec Bradley stuff. Very rich and filling. Great winter cigar.
The Casa Magna Connecticut Robusto is a lovely Connectict that has those classic qualities while available at a great price. Not overly complex, but enjoyable. Might be too mild for some. This would be a cigar I would smoke in the morning and afternoon. An easy Connecticut.
I enjoyed the Cuba Aliados Original Blend Robusto, and love the price even more. Nice blend that was approachable at many times. Not overly complex, but what was delivered was really enjoyable. Solid from beginning to end.
The ADVentura La Llorona Robusto had ranges of flavor from light to medium-full, but always seemed to be in balance. The first and second thirds delivered the most engaging flavors for me. I would smoke a La Llorona Robusto again if presented the opportunity.
The Cuba Aliados by Ernesto Perez-Carrillo Robusto started out promising in the first third with a good combination of flavors that were engaging. By the second third, the profile was linear, and by the last third, almost entirely wood forward. There wasn't much here that would entice me to return to this cigar again, especially when you factor in the price point.
For a brand that I've never heard of, this Ozgener Bosphorus B-52 is an overall nice gateway into the brand. The second third was the highlight, giving me a good mix of bold and soft flavors of cocoa, dried red pepper spice and celery seed spice. I look forward to what this brand comes up with next.
The Oliva Serie O Natural Robusto had a nice start with a nice combination of flavors and transitions. The second third dropped down a level as the baking spice departed and the final third dropped another level as the bitterness joined in. With the low price point, this is an easy try, but it wouldn't be my first choice to revisit in the Oliva portfolio and I wouldn't see myself coming back to this particular line all that often.
The Protocol The Law was pretty on par with the brands single store releases as it shows a nice profile to begin and then falls back to average. I might revisit this to see if a better constructed version has a better showing, but it's not high on my list to do so.
This ACE Prime Luciano The Dreamer Hermoso No. 4 was a deep flavored cigar. Lots of richness in all flavors presented. This may sound weird, but at times, when a cigar is this deep and rich in flavors, when one of the flavors overtakes another, it can then turn the tables of the profile quite swiftly (in this case the leather tannins). But all in all, very enjoyable and will smoke again.