The O.M. Cigar Essential Blend No. 1 Torpedo started out with an interesting earth forward profile in the first third. As it progressed, that earth profile became unbalanced, and by the last third it took on some bitter components which were off-putting. Given the burn issues I would likely take another pass at this cigar to see if another one performed better.
This Villiger Villiger de Nicaragua Edición Limitada 2022 was a solid blend from beginning to end. Love the diversity of tobacco in the cigar. Rich profile that is one of the few examples of dark Ecuadorian Sumatra flavor working well. Some transitioning, but it made up for it with the depth and complexity. Nice strength and body level as well. If the factory keeps producing cigars like this, I see good things for Villiger.
The HVC La Rosa 520 Rare of Rare was a balanced cigar with a complex flavor profile. Lots of depth with some transitioning throughout the thirds. Nice strength and body; match the flavors of the cigar well. It has been some time since I have had a really good Ecuadorian Sumatra release, feels like years, but this delivered that great lighter Ecuadorian Sumatra flavor profile I enjoy.
The Howard G All Pro Series Ike Taylor’s 1OFAHKINE Connecticut Torpedo kept me engaged for the majority of the review, with more fuller flavors than you'd get with a more classical Connecticut, while still giving some of the core Connecticut components. I would definitely smoke another of these again at my next opportunity.
The Don Diego Special Edition Pirámide Extra had an average flavor profile throughout. The burning paper note is something that can easily torpedo a flavor profile, but this profile did a good job of not letting it get out of hand. The price point is fair for the experience, but there are plenty of other Connecticut shade cigars I'd reach for before coming back to this one.
It's good to be reminded of Azarias' harmonious blending capabilities. I don't often smoke his brand, but after this experience, I need to think twice about that. The profile of the Cordoba & Morales Finca Santa Fe 10th Anniversary showed great balance of spice, earth, sweet and fruit. It touched on everything a good cigar should be. I look forward to having more of these.
I was pleasantly impressed with the ATL Black Torpedo. The first and second thirds provided interesting and dynamic flavor combinations that kept me engaged, and the strength levels harmonized well. The last third was still pleasant, but not quite at the same complexity levels as the rest of the cigar. I would happily smoke the Black Torpedo from ATL again.
The Davidoff Year of the Tiger Limited Edition 2022 was enjoyable, and the natural comparison here is to my experience with last year's Ox release. I thought the Year of the Tiger had nuanced and balanced flavor components through the first and second third that kept my interest. The last third was average as most of that complexity fell off. I would happily smoke another Year of the Tiger Limited Edition 2022.
The Deadwood Leather Rose just gave the flavor from the wrapper at the beginning and once that mellowed, the flavors from the actual tobacco weren't that great. For the audience this is geared towards, it probably works as they may not be smoking the whole thing and the flavoring gives a possible non-smoker something to enjoy while they're puffing on a cigar.
The Diamond Crown Julius Caeser Et tu, Brute? had some highlights in the first third with interesting complexity, but lost most of those notes by the second third, leaving me with a fairly average experience for two thirds of the cigar. I would smoke another Et Tu Brute? again if I had the opportunity, if only to see whether the flavor performance could live up to what the first third offered.