The E.P. Carrillo 15 Year Anniversary delivered rich, interesting and engaging flavor combinations through the first third. By the second third, the cigar had become unbalanced with the flavor components not delivering a balanced and engaging profile. That continued for the remainder of the review. Unfortunately, the cigar wasn't able to deliver beyond the first third, and with a $20 price tag, this one is an easy pass for me.
The word nostalgia comes to mind when smoking this Oliva Serie V TAA Exclusive. Oliva V has always been a cigar that I enjoyed in multiple sizes. This one is no different. The profile has structure, good range of flavors and consistency that few brands core lines can touch. Good job TAA by going with the tried and true.
The Don Doroteo El Alcalde had an interesting assortment of flavors in the first third, with the profile remaining pleasant, but less dynamic for the remainder of the review. Price point aside, this cigar was pleasant to smoke and although I only scored the first third as good, I could see myself smoking this again. Unfortunately, factoring in the price point, the cigar would have to be good through all three thirds for me to seek out another one.
The Jaime Garcia Reserva Especial Sucesor Limited Edition 2024 Torpedo started out over the medium strength mark with some intense flavor combinations through the first third. As the cigar continued, some of the balance was lost, but the cigar remained pleasant to smoke. I enjoyed the cigar, but it didn't quite get there for me in the second third to make this something I'd seek out in the future, despite the better than average price point for the current 2024 market.
This HVC Hot Cake Fresh Out of the Oven Broadleaf Torpedo is a pretty good representation of broadleaf. I wouldn't put it tier one though, because at times the profile is harsh and edgy. But perhaps some more humidor time will be helpful, and in turn will turn it into a solid good cigar all the way through the smoking time.
The first third in itself was so fun and unique to smoke. The intricacies of the flavors were downright awesome. Unfortunately, the latter two thirds became not as good and narrowed down the scope of the flavors. I would like to give this Stolen Throne Yorktown Fleet Torpedo another shot though, in the hopes of experiencing that first third goodness.
Not gonna lie, I was ready to type about how this is the same AJ chef and therefore the same story as per usual. But I am wrong. Very wrong. This Montecristo 1935 Anniversary Edición Diamante No. 2 was delicious, capturing not just AJ earthiness, but it was much more than that, delivering great notes of chocolate, minerals and sweetness. Very pricey indeed, but definitely worth trying.
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.