A solid short smoke. I loved the sweet and creamy pastry-like vanilla wafers note. The backing of baking spices, cedar and minerals was just enough to tie the profile together. The VegaFina 1998 VF 50 is not a complex cigar, but one of those cigar experiences where it makes you nod your head a couple times and say, "man, that was good."
If the dry earth could be blended out of this cigar, it could be a real winner. I might come back to the Tatuaje Cabaiguan No. 52 on occasion, but I'd also be interested in trying the No. 54 vitola to see what it offers. It's definitely worth a try to come back to this line and see what you think.
This was a tasty little cigar. Well balanced and full of flavors, never letting off the gas pedal from first draw to last. Minerals, baking spices, roasted chestnuts, milk creaminess and white pepper spice. Nothing to dislike about that flavor combination. I thoroughly enjoyed the JRE Aladino Habano Vintage Selection Rothschild and it's an easy recommend.
The La Unica Natural No. 400 was an average tasting experience. The profile felt a bit monotonous and could have used some more complexities such as greater spice. I can see myself smoking one of these in the morning with a cup of black coffee.
The Foundation Menelik is a solid release and it is a great size. I think if you are looking for a quality Mexican offering with great AGANORSA Nicaraguan fillers, you will be pleased with the cigar. It may not be game changing, but it is another solid Mexican release to the market.
I'm a bit taken back by how much I enjoyed the Punch Egg Roll. This was a well executed short robusto and just the right size to have all the notes pull through nicely. I hope General Cigar makes more renditions of this in the future. Maybe Spring Roll for next years release?
The vitola name of Coffee Break is a bit of a misnomer for this cigar as it smoked quite slow. This is a nice reintroduction of the Nestor Miranda Special Selection Coffee Break and one I'd have no problem smoking more of. If you're a fan of some strength and a nice oak focused flavor profile, then it's worth your time to seek these out.
The Jas Sum Kral Nuggs Habano does not get you "high." Based on my understanding, CBD is meant for general health benefits and relaxes you. It was difficult to distinguish if I felt that or it was mainly due to the effects of nicotine delivery. It is actually quite an easy going flavor profile that is light on spice and strength with flavors of butter, light cedar, flowers and a hint of wood bitterness.
The Hoyo de Monterrey HOYO La Amistad Black Rothschild is unbalanced and dominated by almost overwhelming pepper, until the final third where it's dominated by almost overwhelming earth. I don't have the requisite tobacco experience to determine whether the issue is with the tobacco, or the blending, but my experience tells me that the tobacco wasn't ready when the cigar was produced.
The HVC First Selection Limited Edition 2018 Broadleaf Short Robusto was a spectacular cigar and a beautiful surprise. It has been sometime since I have had a Connecticut Broadleaf over Nicaraguan tobacco blend that has smoked like this, and it makes me want more.
