The Gellis Saunter had an average flavor profile throughout, focused around the toasted cedar, earth and black pepper. The sandalwood note was nice, but didn't do enough to elevate the profile. Overall, a pretty average Connecticut shade offering, and not one I'd see myself coming back to as there are better offerings at a lower price point on the market.
The Bentley Green Edition Robusto was an average cigar, but I guess that is a win for 2024. Price friendly cigar. I would have recommended making it super premium, like a Bentley, and making the cigar better as well. Nothing major to complain about as a smoker, but as a critic, disappointing.
The Illusione Group of Five RB had some interesting and engaging flavor combinations in the first third. As it progressed, it was still pleasant, but not as complex for me as the first third. My overall takeaway is that I might return to this cigar, but that's balanced against the fact Illusione has a diverse portfolio of cigars that are less expensive and have a more enjoyable profile for me.
The Ozgener Firsat F52 started out with an interesting and engaging first third, and while still pleasant for the second and last thirds, did not maintain the same level of complexity for me. I found the overall flavor offering to be above average, and the price point is reasonable given the current market pricing in 2024. I might be inclined to try the Firsat in one of the other three vitola offerings to see how they compare.
I really liked the OneOff Black and Tan. It was a good smoking limited edition. Solid blend with a nice level of complexities. There was not a dramatic amount of transitioning, but the flavor profile was so enjoyable that it was not a concern. The body and strength paired well with the flavor profile, and it is a cigar I could smoke back-to-back with ease. The best OneOff I have smoked.
The Tatiana Delights Robusto had an average flavor profile throughout, focused around the construction paper, toasted cedar and earth. The added sweetness on the cap wasn't really that prominent and had faded out by the end of the second third. This is a fine option for new or infrequent smokers. I don't think it does enough to attract regular, traditional smokers and I wouldn't see myself coming back to it.
The E.P. Carrillo Sumatra Robusto was a pleasant enough cigar to review, but I didn't find any of the thirds jumping out at me for flavor combinations or complexity. I don't think there's any question that the price point is attractive in 2024, where the average new cigar is pushing over $14. I think there is a long list of other E.P. Carrillo offerings I would reach for before the Sumatra.
The Joya de Nicaragua Clásico Medio Siglo Robusto had a nice start, with a bold and interesting flavor profile. It dropped down in the second third as the black pepper began to fade and maintained that level the rest of the way. This is an interesting cigar for the brand that carries a very nice price point. While I wouldn't see coming back to this often, I would be interested in trying some of the other vitolas to see if there is one that shines a bit more.
The Crowned Heads Coroneta Habano Earl did more than enough in the first and second thirds with flavor combinations and balance to keep me engaged. The last third was still pleasant, but I felt it lacked the same complexity that was present from the previous sections of the cigar. I thought the Crowned Heads Coroneta Habano Earl did more than enough to make me want to return to this in the future, and the price point is perfectly reasonable for the current market levels in 2024.
The Kristoff Veinte 20th Anniversary Robusto was a medium-full cigar experience that delivered dark, toasted and spicy flavor components that I found were delivered best in the first and second thirds. I think this cigar is going to be a bit divisive. Not only is the cigar on the fuller end of the spectrum, but it also utilizes some flavor components that some cigar smokers might not gravitate towards. I thoroughly enjoyed it, and would happily smoke this again, especially given the highly restrained price point of a 20th Anniversary release.