Tatuaje El Triunfador No.6

Notes: Draw is tighter than I would prefer. Flavors of red and black pepper, cedar, citrus, nutmeg and salt. There is a faint sourness that persists through most of the cigar. Complexity was lacking and this blend never achieved a good balance between the spice and earth flavors.

Smoking time: One hour, forty nine minutes

Rating: Three stars

Romeo y Julieta Reserva Real

Notes: Flavors of cedar, grass, cashew, cream, and something vegetal that becomes sour around half way through. Balance is okay and there is almost no complexity, but the construction and combustion were decent.

Smoking time: One hour, forty one minutes

Rating: Three stars

Tatuaje Seleccion de Cazador Especiales

Notes: Draw was just slightly too tight. Flavors of cocoa, oak, earth, walnut, and a minimal red pepper on the retrohale. Last third started to get bitter. Complexity is decent and I feel like previous times I've smoked this cigar, they were even better with a correct draw.

Smoking time: One hour, thirteen minutes

Rating: Four stars

Tatuaje Cabaiguan

Notes: Flavors of cedar, bread, mineral, sweet hay and black pepper. Combustion and construction were perfect, just lacking in complexity.

Smoking time: One hour, three minutes

Rating: Four stars

Caldwell Room 101 Hit & Run

Notes: These were a very limited, event only vitola from summer 2017, and in my opinion, the best of the Hit & Run line. Flawless Ecuador Habano wrapper, medium body and strength with full flavors of cedar, butterscotch and that slightly sour tang that seems common with some Dominican tobaccos. Construction was also flawless and complexity was good.

Smoking time: 61 minutes

Rating: Five stars

Casa Fernandez Miami (Original Release)

Notes: This one is from probably 2010 or 2011 and flavors weren't quite as pronounced from the age (I assume). First half was somewhat uninteresting, with flavors of oak and bread. In the second half I noticed some mild, dark fruit and finally got that signature Aganorsa spice and nut combination. Great complexity towards the end and decent construction.

Smoking time: One hour, fourteen minutes

Rating: Four stars

La Palina Illumination

Notes: Medium body and flavor. Dominant flavors of cedar and mineral, but something sour and vegetal building throughout and full strength by the end. Very little complexity. This blend is not working for me in a lancer.

Smoking time: One hour, eighteen minutes

Rating: Two stars

Joya de Nicaragua Cabinetta No.13

Notes: I love the contrast between the two wrappers and how they match the colors used on the band. Medium body and full flavors of cream, oak, and barbecue with espresso underneath. Great construction and combustion. A blast of barbecue and spice when I finally hit the criollo wrapped section towards the end.

Smoking time: 59 minutes

Rating: Four stars

La Palina Classic

Notes: Wrapper is a shade lighter than most Habano, almost mistaken for CT shade. First third was very creamy with hints of citrus and cedar. Somewhat harsh by the middle and very little progression or complexity. Body and flavor were just under medium with good construction and combustion.

Smoking time: 56 minutes

Rating: Three stars

Gran Habano Connecticut No.1

Notes: Flavors of cream, wood, hay and a bit of black pepper, but with very little complexity. Overall good construction for the price. Slightly bitter by the last third.

Smoking time: One hour, six minutes

Rating: Four stars

Curivari Achilles Heroicos Peleus

Notes: Nicaraguan puro, no other details available about blend or wrapper. Flavors of oak, roasted nuts, salt and red pepper. Construction was good, but very little complexity.

Smoking time: One hour, sixteen minutes

Rating: Four stars

Protocol Themis

Notes: Beautiful CT shade wrapper with no visible oil. Perfect construction, balance, and decent complexity. Simply delicious and a perfect morning / first cigar of the day. Dominant flavors were cream, cedar and citrus. I think the shorter time was most likely because I just couldn't put it down.

Smoking time: 56 minutes

Rating: Five stars