The HVC Black Friday 2021 started well, with a nice combination of flavors, but the second third dropped down as some components left the profile and maintained this level the rest of the way. I really liked how the cigar started, but it just couldn't maintain the mix of flavors. The cigar also finished out with a bit of a strength punch. The price point is attractive, but it just isn't a cigar that I'd see myself coming back to that often.
The Tatuaje T110 Tuxtla came out of the gate swinging with some interesting and fuller flavor combinations that kept me on my toes. That complexity seemed to fall off rapidly moving into the second third, eventually becoming linear and flat in the last third with earth being the only standout flavor component. The price point on these is quite reasonable and the time commitment is approachable so I would give the T110 Tuxtla another try to see if the profile was the same or improved.
I really enjoyed the Warped Companion de Warped. The profile grabbed my attention throughout, and I liked how it went back and forth between sweet and spicy. The sweet fruit bread, coffee and cocoa qualities were great. It had a nice strength and body level as well. Burn was not as good as I would have liked, but overall, not a major issue. A nice blend that caught me by surprise.
The Tatuaje T110 Reserva Broadleaf essentially tells me what I already know about Tatuaje. That is, Pete continues to do a fine job of using Connecticut broadleaf, highlighting nice chocolate tones and not making it overwhelmingly earthy. Not his best Connecticut broadleaf by any means, but this is a buy without hesitation.
The Tatuaje MBS FK had a just above average flavor profile that delivered for me the best experience through the first third. The format is small and approachable, and provided some interesting complications on the cigar. I might smoke this cigar again if I had the opportunity, but there are a lot of other really great Tatuaje options to choose from.
The Drew Estate Liga Privada Único Serie Bauhaus is a nice addition to the Unico Serie and for fans of the series, would definitely be worth trying to acquire some from the European market if you can track them down. I'd have no problem smoking more of these, likely in the evening after a nice meal and I could see it pairing well with a nice brown spirit of your choosing.
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.