The Kristoff Vengeance Toro had a good start but became pedestrian from the second third on. I'd like to try this in a smaller ring gauge to see what that would do to the profile. The good first third isn't enough to keep me coming back to this cigar and it probably isn't something I'd be in a hurry to revisit.
For fans of Saka's style Connecticut broadleaf, the Red Meat Lovers will certainly not disappoint and many will be happy to find familiarity. This isn't Saka's most complex cigar, but I find it to be what Connecticut Broadleaf wrapped cigars should taste like giving milk chocolate, dry red pepper spice, pencil lead minerality and creamed sweetness.
After the first third, the Montecristo Nicaragua Series Toro just became average and isn't something I'd search after. It's a cigar that might do well as the flavor and strength are what most smokers could enjoy, but I prefer a bit more complexity and enjoyment. Price is a bit high, but I'd say try one out and see what you think.
In terms of what I think about the Alec Bradley Medalist Toro, the profile was a good representation on a less heavy smoking experience with notes of pencil lead minerality, cedar, bread/toast and slightly over charred coffee. This is worth a shot, especially at the low price of $6.50 MSRP per cigar.
This was a fantastic La Aurora offering and classic to the brand. Lots of tobacco used, great flavors and solid body and strength that did not get in the way of the flavors. I would definitely recommend the La Aurora Preferidos Hors d'Age 2017 Toro to all the smokers out there.
I am a big fan of the La Barba One and Only 2018 Super Toro. It is flavor focused and a cigar that you really have to take your time on and focus on to truly enjoy. I would classify it as a cigar for connoisseurs and not just cigar smokers.
The Davidoff Year of the Pig is a strong cigar in terms of strength and it produces filling and stronger flavors as well. It has some body to it which is present from start to finish, and much more so than past Davidoff releases. If you are looking for a lighter offering that is more flavor focused like years past, this might not be your cup of tea.
The Davidoff Chefs Edition 50th Anniversary is a great cigar and a fantastic use of Yamasa tobacco in the filler blend and wrapper. It is complex in flavor profiles being delivered and with that is some depth and transitioning. As to be expected, Davidoff created a well constructed cigar with high quality tobacco to make for a great smoking experience.
The Aging Room Pura Cepa Mezzo is a pretty good offering from the company and an interesting project being a Nicaraguan puro. I think this would be approachable to any level smoker as there are lots of things to like here. I would have no problem revisiting this cigar although the price point is a bit high.
I enjoyed the Dunbarton Tobacco & Trust Sin Compromiso Selección No. 5 Parejo. I was not blown away by it, or think it was spectacular, but I enjoyed it. While it did show transitioning from start to finish, it was not the transitioning I was hoping for in the cigar. If it delivered what it had in the first third, much different story on the cigar.
