Where the cigar started and where the cigar finished was very far apart, and it's hard to find commonality in the flavor profile in those two thirds. Ultimately, the Casa Carrillo Deep Blue Limited Edition 2026 was an underwhelming experience that landed right in the Average category.
Overall, the ATL La Carrousel 1960 Gran Toro was a solid but ultimately uncomplicated cigar. The first third offered the most complexity, particularly with the interplay between sweet tobacco, wood, chocolate and evolving pepper. The cigar never fell apart, but it gradually became more linear as it progressed, with bitterness and tannins becoming more noticeable toward the end.
The Don Pepín García Clásico 20th Anniversary is an average to good cigar. I enjoy the flavor profile, but with a cigar of this size, it needs more depth and complexities. The flavor profile in general would be great in a smaller offering, but with a cigar of this size I need some transitioning. I am interested in the blend and brand, but I would definitely come back to this cigar.
The Fermin Perez Classic Connecticut Toro is a dependable and well-executed cigar. It may not push boundaries in terms of complexity, but it delivers a consistently balanced and enjoyable experience, making it a solid choice when you’re looking for something reliable and easygoing.
This HVC La Decoración Churchill was an enjoyable blend that was nuanced enough. The combination of herbs, creaminess, earthiness and spice was well composed and balanced. And for a bigger size (toro-ish), it was just enough to satiate the palate. I'd definitely go for more of these.
I'm sort of battling myself with this AJ Fernandez Amar Torito. Typically, I have a strong dislike for highly earthy (dirt/soil) type cigars. But even though this cigar had that, there was a richness in other flavors (spice, sweetness, barnyard) that kept me engaged in every draw. Given this, I want to smoke more in the hopes of finding consistency.
I truly enjoyed the first half of the Alec Bradley Thirty Years Toro. The flavor profile was well rounded and very approachable, being abundantly sweet and creamy with added spice and minerals. But unfortunately, the latter half was a bit too tannic in wood and minerals.
The My Father La Lealtad Toro is a decent cigar. The flavor profile becomes a little monotonous with the size offering, but it is not unpleasant. It could come off as a profile that does not speak to a lot of smokers as well, and I feel that is a Dominican/Honduran aspect to the cigar. I believe this blend could reach a higher level with some more richness. That will add to the complexity and depth.
The Didier Rachel is a solid cigar. It’s a well-done large ring gauge offering as well. The blend is slightly one-dimensional, but it has a nice level of depth and complexity so it can get away with not showing a lot of transitioning. It’s an easy cigar overall, and I think it’s a cigar that any smoker could enjoy to a certain degree.
The first third was the only highlight of the cigar. The fullness of the meatiness/gaminess paired with milk creaminess and trailing star anise was a combination worthwhile to sit with. But the majority of the cigar showed a mediocre flavor profile of charred oak wood and cream, which became a bit monotonous. This is an overall pass for me.