The Micallef White Robusto is a decent smoke. Yes, I would smoke it again, but it’s not something I would go crazy over or really seek out to keep in my humidors. The flavor profile is consistent from beginning to end, just enough complexity to keep my interest, and has amazing construction and burn. Honestly, with a cigar like this, it comes down to the price. If it’s somewhat affordable, I would approach this cigar in the future.
The Dunbarton Tobacco & Trust Umbagog Bronzeback Robusto delivers a satisfying profile with enough balance and flavor development to earn a Good rating. It may not push the boundaries of complexity, but it offers a dependable and enjoyable experience that showcases the rustic, earthy style often associated with the Umbagog line.
In order for a sweet tip cigar to work for my palate, it needs to be subtly integrated into the profile. For this Sarzedas Robusto, it wasn't. The synthetic sweet tipped vanilla and creme brûlée combination was too palate dominant to the more traditional cigar flavors of cedar wood, leather, dirt and nuts. The integration didn't work and it tastes like having two distinct profiles. Easy pass for me.
The La Flor Dominicana Double Claro No. 50 had a nice start, with hay, in all its iterations, actually enhancing the profile. It took a step down in the second third as the earth increased, and remained that way for the rest of the cigar. While I wouldn't put in the small group of top tier candelas on the market, it is better than most. I'd be open to trying this in another vitola to see how it compares.
The Micallef Green Robusto feels like a cigar built on a strong opening statement that gradually transitions into a dependable, if quieter, performance. It doesn’t fall apart, and it never becomes unpleasant, but it also doesn’t fully capitalize on the promise established in its opening act. It’s a cigar I’d reach for when I want comforting sweetness and soft structure rather than drama or evolution. Pleasant, measured and ultimately dependable in a modest way.
In the end, the Alec Bradley Do Not Disturb Robusto settled into an “Average” performance overall, pleasant and balanced early on, but gradually overtaken by dryness that limited its depth and complexity.
The La Flor Dominicana Suave Natural Maceo delivered a profile that had complexity in the first third, but never fully broke past its own limitations. The early combination of sweet tobacco, baking spices and toasted wood created a classic start and I was hoping more depth would be revealed. By the end, the Suave Natural Maceo proved itself to be a cigar best appreciated for its simplicity and its early moments of harmony. It may not be a standout in the broader LFD catalog, but there may be value to the consumer in a more subdued blend.
This Eladio Diaz La Diana Biloria is a winner. Layered, nuanced, just a good cigar. And it's eleven bucks?! Unbelievably superb! I recommend everyone to try this and taste the modern "budget" cigar that slaps (as the kids would say).
I really enjoyed the My Father Blue Robusto, and it is a blend I have returned to many times since released. It is a balanced blend, and I love how the Honduran tobacco smokes with the CT Broadleaf wrapper. My Father does so much with Nicaraguan tobacco that it is interesting to see how they blend with Honduran tobacco while also using a wrapper they know how to use very well. Lovely Connecticut Broadleaf, fun new release when looking at the blend and who produced the cigar, and a nice addition for My Father.
What the heck happened between the first third and the latter two thirds? It felt like smoking entirely different flavor profiles. If the Cavalier Genève Project Broadleaf Boartamer tasted more in line with the first third, this would have been a winner without a doubt. What a shame.