"A pleasant medium-body smoke that offered an abundance of sweetness and creaminess. That in my opinion would go nicely with an espresso. I enjoyed smoking this cigar mid-morning and I feel it would be a great addition to my rotation." -Quinn (quinnpins269)
"Overall it had good flavors through and through. The strength of this cigar was more then I was expecting. The smoke output was a lot. The smoke texture was thick and really stuck to the palate. Musty mineral and rich earthy coffee notes. No sweetness to this smoke. Retrohale was very strong musty black pepper." -Chad M. (Chad Tchad)
STG has announced the return of one of their more popular releases in recent years, the CAO Arcana Mortal Coil. That cigar got a 95 in our blind tasting during it's first release. The blend is a limited-edition cigar that features "Andullo" tobacco, which uses one of the oldest tobacco fermentation methods of the Dominican Republic.
"Among the handful of things I enjoyed most with this cigar was its simplicity. From the first puff to the last the flavors remained fairly one-dimensional but undeniably delightful and balanced while the smoke was nothing but buttery smooth throughout. My palate was never inundated with too many notes to keep tabs on nor was it left guessing with transition after transition which I found to be a pleasant change of pace. The only negative thing I can say about this cigar is that the draw was subpar from start to finish. Way too much effort was required to get a decent mouthful of smoke. Not only did the extra effort steal away from my relaxation, I'm sure the flavor profiles were muted as well which only leaves me wondering... What if??? I can say with certainty that a perfect draw would land this smoke smack dab in the middle of my regular rotation and I can't wait to give it another go." -Noah S. (Noah)
Foundation Cigar Company has unveiled its latest cigar, The Tabernacle Knight Commander, a 6 x 3/4 x 52 Perfecto with a Connecticut Broadleaf Wrapper. The company says this cigar pays homage to the rich Ethiopian heritage and embodies the spirit of philanthropy.
"Things kicked off with a good pop, but the cigar quickly found its footing. I'm a fan of chai, and I was happy to experience a fair amount of that halfway through the cigar. It ended with ease and subtleness that almost lulled me into a sense of bliss. This experience read just like a typical story with a beginning, middle, and end. Each playing their own part, but also able to present a bigger picture. I could see myself smoking this again." -Doug S. (Unpossible_1)
"With a gambit of robust flavors that complimented one another exceptionally as well as a smoke that was creamy, smooth and mouthwatering, the first two thirds is certainly where this cigar shined! Even though the smoke remained incredibly smooth, the flavors flatlined entering the final third which made for a lackluster ending to an otherwise great cigar. Had the pleasant mix of flavors been consistent from start to finish my remarks would certainly have been a bit higher. I have a feeling that a loose roll is the most likely culprit for the sudden downturn as the temperature of the smoke quickly rose and the flavors almost immediately became acrid. I'd gladly give this smoke another shot as I'm sure the loose roll is just a fluke." -Noah S. (Noah)
"With the single exception of the first few puffs being ever so slightly harsh, I haven't a negative remark to make about this cigar as it truly blew me away in just about every regard. Not only were the flavors incredibly robust, the mix was well-balanced and was suited almost perfectly for my palate. A perfect draw, flawless burn, and impeccable construction checked off the remaining boxes for me which rounded out an immensely enjoyable smoking experience from start to finish. I imagine this cigar would pair well with just about anything which is also a high mark in and of itself. Assuming the price point isn't outrageous, this stick has already landed in my regular rotation. If it is then I will gladly splurge for a special occasion as I am quite certain that a stick this would never disappoint. " -Noah S. (Noah
"When it comes to short cigars, I really never expect there to be a ton of complexity, and this one is no different, but it definitely did not lack in flavor, with a constant barrage of cayenne and unsweetened cocoa. This really hit the spot as a post dinner cigar for me and would work well with a bit of time constraint necessary." -Doug S. (Unpossible_1)
"I am always looking for short smokes that provide a fully satisfying experience, and this hit that nail right on the head. While it was very consistent from start to finish, the flavor profile really grabbed me. I’d easily recommend giving these a shot for those times when you need something quick. I’ll definitely try to snag some for my winter smoke selection." -Chris M. (Chris)