Undercrown Sungrown Gran Toro 10/22/17

 Appearance
A reddish brown (Colorado) colored wrapper with a couple prominent veins. A bit of mottling makes the mostly tightly wrapped seams visible. The wrapper has a light oil sheen. The filler bunch is well packed with no apparent soft spots.

Aroma
Cedar, earth, and a hint of spice on the wrapper. Cedar, dried fruit and very faint spice.

Prelight Draw
Espresso, cedar, cinnamon spice.

1st
The initial draws bring notes of cedar and espresso with leathery undertones. The draw is snug. Burn is spot on at 1/2” in. I was expecting some spice but none has surfaced yet. The ash is light gray and flaky. A bit over an inch in and a pinch of cinnamon spice joins the profile. The burn gets a bit wavy late in the 1st.

2nd
After removing the ash and inspecting the working end I notice the Ligero cone is divided and there are 2 tunnels which explains the uneven burn. Draw opens up to effortless. Strength is medium+. Cinnamon spice moves up to the dash level. Smoke production is at the low end of high. The finish is long with notes of espresso, cedar and cinnamon spice with a leathery, earthy undertone. Strength moves to med/full.

Final/3rd
Smoke production is at the high range. The profile has remained perfectly balanced. Midway in the final/3rd the espresso ramps up to become dominant. The profile is consistent from start to the nub.

Overall
The Undercrown Sungrown Gran Toro provides an enjoyable smoking experience. A flavorful and balanced profile. Once the draw opened up early in the 2nd/3rd and the burn evened out late in the 2nd/3rd it was spot on.
Definitely a cigar to try. Some folks are gonna love this one. Available at shops that carry Drew Estate cigars.

Gispert Intenso Nicaragua Toro 10/21/17

 Appearance
The beautiful Connecticut Broadleaf Maduro wrapper has one prominent vein on one side of the box press and is stretched to a smooth and silky finish with tight seams. It has an oily feel with a matte finish.
Black and copper contrast nicely on the band.

Aroma
Earth, spice, chocolate and fine leather on the wrapper. Earth and chocolate at the foot.

Prelight Draw
Earth, dates and spice.

1st
Initial draws bring notes of earth , spice and sweetness. The draw is a tick on the snug side and the burn is spot on. The ash is salt&pepper gray, stacked and a bit flaky. The leathery texture comes through on the long finish with notes of earth, chocolate and spice. Strength is in the medium+ range already. Body is as well. Ash dropped at 1 1/4”. Ash is off by 7* but is beginning to self correct. The date notes join the profile and bring that fruity sweetness.

2nd
The profile is very well balanced so far. The spice is of the warm cinnamon variety. The draw opens up midway in the 2nd/3rd. Smoke production is at the medium range. The ash becomes tighter while the burn gets a bit wavy.

Final/3rd
The spice ramps up a bit as does the strength which is now at med/full. The flavor profile remains consistent through to the nub.

Overall
The Gispert Intenso Nicaragua Toro provides an enjoyable smoking experience. A flavorful and well balanced profile with a good draw and mildly erratic burn.
This is a collaboration cigar blended by Grupo de Maestros (Altadis) and AJ Fernandez.

EP Carrillo Elite Selección Oscuro Piramides Royal 10/15/17

 Appearance
A dark toothy wrapper with a couple prominent veins. The seams are tightly wrapped. It has a very light oil sheen, it feels more oily than it looks. The filler bunch is well packed with no apparent soft spots.
The band is a work of art.

Aroma
Earthy,cedar and a hint of spice on the wrapper. Earth, dark chocolate, cedar and spice at the foot.

Prelight Draw
Rich chocolate, raisin, dried red fruit, a pinch of coffee bean and a dash of spice.

1st
The initial draws bring earthy notes with a warm cinnamon spice. There is a deep dark rich chocolate flavor covering the earth and spice like a syrup. The draw is almost effortless. The burn is off 30*. Just over halfway into the 1st/3rd the strength is at medium+. The ash is salt&pepper gray and stacked with a little flake. The spice which was leaning towards red pepper is tempered by coffee bean notes keeping everything in balance. Ash held firm til removal.

2nd
With the help of simple physics the burn is self correcting. Strength moves to med/full. The finish is long with notes of earth, cedar, chocolate, raisin, dried fruit, coffee bean and warm cinnamon spice. Smoke production is at the low end of high.

Final/3rd
The coffee bean notes morph into an espresso but stays in balance with the rest of the profile. The profile remains consistent through to the nub.

Overall
The EP Carrillo Elite Selección Oscuro Piramides Royal provides a very enjoyable smoking experience. A well balanced and flavorful profile with a perfect draw and mildly erratic burn. Another fine cigar from Ernesto.

Master Mason Rothschild Maduro by Casa Fernandez 10/14/17

 Appearance
A chocolatey looking wrapper with a couple prominent veins. No visible seams. Filler bunch is well packed with no apparent soft spots. Beautiful band.

Aroma
Earth, cedar and a hint of spice on the wrapper. Closed foot.

Prelight Draw
Earthy, molasses, cedar, leather and cinnamon spice.

1st
Initial draws bring earthy notes with some cinnamon spice alongside. Smoke production is already at high. The draw is perfect. The burn is slightly wavy. There is a dash of black pepper joining the profile. The ash is light gray and mostly tight with a little flake. 3/4” in the black pepper overpowers the profile. Late in the 1st/3rd the black pepper tapers back a bit. Burn has been self correcting.

2nd
Burn has fully self corrected. Molasses notes begin to balance the profile late in the 2nd/3rd.

Final/3rd
Molasses fades and heavy black pepper returns as the dominant flavor and remains consistent to the nub.

Overall
The Master Mason was enjoyable until the heavy black pepper began to dominate the profile midway in the 1st/3rd. I had high hopes but they were dashed midway in the 1st/3rd. If you are a black pepper fan u might enjoy it.

Davidoff Nicaragua Box Pressed Toro 9/24/17

 

Appearance 

A beautiful Habano Oscuro wrapper with a couple prominent veins. The seams are tightly wrapped and difficult to spot. There is a nice oily sheen. The cigar is well packed with no apparent soft spots. The bands are quite attractive and contrast nicely. 

Aroma 

Earth and spice on the wrapper. Earth and spice at the foot.

Prelight Draw 

Earth, molasses, dried red fruit and cinnamon spice.

1st

The initial draws bring notes of earth and cedar with a pinch of cinnamon spice. The ash is medium gray and stacked. The draw is perfect and the burn has a slight wave. Strength is a solid medium but leaning to medium+. As I was holding the cigar over the ashtray and rotating to inspect the erratic burn line at 1 1/2" in, the ash dropped. I notice a couple of tunnels on the faster burning side.

2nd

A creamy espresso note joins the profile. The subtle sweetness of dried fruit joins the flavor profile. With the help of simple physics the burn line quickly self corrects. The finish is long with notes of earth, cedar, creamy espresso, dried fruit and cinnamon spice. 

Final/3rd

Flavor remains consistent into the final/3rd and all the way to the nub. Strength finished at medium+. 

Overall

The Davidoff Nicaragua Box Pressed Toro provides an enjoyable smoking experience. A very flavorful and well balanced profile with a perfect draw and mildly erratic burn. Definitely one of the best Davidoff's I've had.

 

 

Por Larrañaga Robusto (DR) new blend 9/23/17

 

Appearance 

A light brown colored wrapper with a couple prominent veins. There is  a bit of mottling as well. The seams are tight. It has a nice oily sheen. The filler is very firmly packed with no apparent soft spots. 

Aroma 

Barnyard, hay and a hint of spice on the wrapper. Cedar, hay at the foot.

Prelight Draw 

Dried fruit, cedar, hay and a mild spice. 

1st

Initial draws bring notes of cedar and hay. There is just a faint bit of spice on the tongue and palate. The draw is perfect. The burn is off slightly. Smoke production is medium. The ash is light gray and mostly tight with a little flake. The spice is developing into a nutmeg. 

2nd

The cigar has that DR Signature flavor note. Some call it a twang but definitely DR. Some nutty notes join the palate. Strength is a solid medium. The wrapper develops a couple vertical cracks. Burn is still erratic due to a tunnel at the center. 

Final/3rd

With the help of simple physics the burn self corrects just into the final/3rd. Flavor profile remains consistent through to the nub. 

Overall

The Por Larrañaga Robusto provides a somewhat enjoyable smoking experience. A consistent flavor profile with a great draw and erratic burn. 

This is a new Dominican version of an age old Cuban brand. I still favor the Cuban version which is typical of Dominican made versions of Cuban brands.

 

 

Kristoff TAA 49 Salamon 9/17/17

 

Appearance 

A dark brown colored wrapper with several prominent veins. The wrapper has some mottling but the tightly wrapped seams are difficult to spot at first glance. It has a little bit of tooth as well as a nice oily sheen.

Aroma 

Heavy barnyard, earth, cedar and dried fruit sweetness on the wrapper. Foot is almost closed. 

Prelight Draw 

Very sweet dried fruit, cedar, a hint of metallic and spice.

1st

The initial draws bring notes of cedar, faint dried fruit and a combination of spices like cinnamon, black pepper and crushed red pepper all in equal parts. The ash is salt&pepper gray and stacked with a little flake. Draw & burn are spot on. Some mild espresso notes have joined the profile. Burn develops a slight wave late in the 1st/3rd.

2nd

Upon inspection of the foot after removing the ash I observe the Ligero cone is off center. Hence the wave. The strength is medium. Smoke production is at the low end of medium. About 1/2" in to 2nd/3rd the cone is at center and burn self corrects. The finish is long with notes of cedar, dried fruit, espresso and the spice combo. 

Final/3rd

Starting the final/3rd the burn & draw are still spot on. The strength has moved up to medium+. The flavor profile remains consistent right to the nub. 

Overall 

The Kristoff TAA 49 Salamon provides an enjoyable smoking experience. A very well balanced and flavorful profile with a great draw and burn. It's available at TAA shops nationwide. 

Well done Glen @GlenCase brand owner of @kristoff_cigars