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.
This is another standard and typical offering from General Cigar. It's nothing to rave about nor be disappointed about. The flavor by itself was average to good, but the paper note did not meld well with the other notes.
A $5 Connecticut broadleaf providing rich dankness, gritty earth and milk chocolate?! I just found my every day broadleaf cigar (if there is such a thing). This is an easy box purchase. Nick created a budget home run with this blend. Very impressive!
It's been a little while since I tasted such full flavors of creamy bread (personal favorite note of mine). This note being surrounded by decent spice and earthiness made for a good, laid back smoking experience.
The first third started off with some wonderful flavors, but as it got into the second third, the profile became average and remained that way. I'm definitely interested in revisiting to see if I can get the experience of the first third for more of the cigar.
A nice set of dark flavors with the wood and earth and a good creamy component. I could see this being a very good after dinner smoke, especially after something like a steak.
This cigar smoked with the spirit that the original Rothchildes did. A rustic, not so pretty looking cigar that provided full flavors and a great smoking experience at a low price point. It is definitely one I could see going back to often and another winner for Dion and the Illusione portfolio.