The Kristoff JT Signature Series was a good smoking experience. Significant amount of flavor complexity through the first and second third, and average smoking experience in the last third. Strength and flavor intensity were both medium-full, so this cigar will very much appeal to the fuller bodied cigar smokers.
The Balmoral Serie Signaturas Paso Doble Gran Toro was complex, showing transitioning from start to finish and always possessing depth. On top of that, the body, strength and flavors played well off of one another and left me entertained and keeping my attention throughout. Job well done!
The first third of the Plasencia Alma del Fuego Concepción really reminded me of Christmas for some reason, but after that, things became average until the final third when creamy coffee rescued the cigar from continuing to be average. I'm interested to smoke this in another vitola in hopes of seeing that first third profile last longer as I really enjoyed it. I would smoke this again and see this as a nice addition to the company portfolio.
The J.C. Newman The American No. 2 is a pretty anticipated cigar and I felt it gave a good showing. Burn issues aside, I enjoyed it and would definitely smoke it again. The price point is fairly high, but can be expected with an all U.S.A. build. The smoking time was quite lengthy, so it does provide some value there.
The cigar falls into the same one liner summary that I've used for most of the new cigars coming out of Tabacalera AJ Fernandez lately; great construction but the flavors are fairly average. I think the Crux Epicure Maduro Toro would appeal to cigar smokers who typically reach for the more mass market style of Maduro cigars.
The Artesano Del Tobacco Viva La Vida Toro had an overall decent showing. I enjoyed the first third the most as there was a great balance of sweetness, earth and spice. Past that point, the profile was more earth derived. Special shout out to the amazing perfection in burn and draw performance.
The Florida Sun Grown Limited Edition Trunk-Pressed Toro was a well executed Connecticut Broadleaf wrapped cigar. The medium plus body and strength formula worked well with the darker flavors of cocoa, minerals, baking spices and a very unique terroir mustiness/barnyard. I would definitely recommend this.
I enjoyed the interplay of cocoa to milk chocolate, minerals, cedar and toasted nuts of the Villiger La Meridiana Toro Box Press. Having smoked two samples for review, one sample had a considerable ripe plum note whereas the other had none of it. Regardless, both samples were good and worthy to be checked out.
The Diesel Hair of the Dog Toro is by no means a bad cigar, but I wish they had continued with the bourbon barrel aged/sherry cask theme of their first and latest cigars. It would have been cool to have some of that tobacco in the filler with the Ecuadorian Sumatra wrapper. Overall, a decent flavor profile that lacked some complexity and transitioning from start to finish.
A clean finish and almost dessert like flavors centered around honey and toffee (with baking spices and cedar to accompany) are some of the key flagships of a good Cuban cigar. The Saint Luis Rey 2016 Edición Regional Cuba Marquéz had all those traits.