"Overall, this was a good cigar I felt medium to full-bodied, you definitely want to eat something before you tackle this stick. I prefer a creamier smoke and this one was a bit dry but not enough to be a deterrent. I would definitely smoke this cigar again maybe ending it a little sooner before the harshness took over. All the way through the first, second, and about the middle of the final third the flavors remained fairly consistent with small background changes. For me, the leather, dark chocolate, and cedar dominated regularly throughout the smoke. For me, this will definitely be an evening cigar maybe with an iced coffee to balance out the bit of dryness. Overall, a good cigar and I would definitely smoke it again. " -Angel M. (Angel)
Jas Sum Kral has released their annual Swedish exclusive Sota Kakor. The first version used a Habano wrapper, while the second used a Maduro wrapper. This latest version for 2022 goes back to the original blend with a Habano wrapper. The name Söta Kakor is Swedish for sweet cookies. The name of the cigar isn't the only reference to Sweden, as the ring contains traditional elements from the Dalarna region of Sweden.
For its latest release, La Gloria Cubana turned to its fans to create the brand’s latest limited edition release. The La Gloria Cubana Society Cigar gets its name from a special group of cigar smokers that interact with the brand regularly both online through the LGC website and offline through La Gloria activations across the US.
"Though it smoked tighter than I like, the flavors were very enjoyable. It is a nice after-dinner Maduro with heavy chocolate, molasses, and toffee notes. The addition of increasing spices throughout the blend hit my palate well but I could see it putting off some who would just enjoy the sweetness of the cigar." -Lauren S. (Lauren S.)
Jas Sum Kral Cigars and Black Lion Luxuries are collaborating to release an exclusive, limited-edition cigar for the members of the Black Lion Luxuries Club. The Kralot Black Lion Luxuries Club Exclusive is a Churchill that measures 7 x 50. Kralot was also the name of Jas Sum Kral’s first limited edition released in 2018. The Kralot Black Lion Luxuries Club Exclusive is similar to that original release but uses Ecuadorian Habano wrapper instead of a San Andres wrapper.
"I feel like this is a great stick if it wasn't for the construction problems. The opening light cedar and floral notes seemed to be leading into some nice buttery leather and nuttiness. Sadly, I only got hints of what could have been. The fact I kept having to put fire to this cigar lead to some strong pepper and smokiness and a super dried-out palate. I would certainly revisit this blend in hopes of a better result. " -Lauren S. (Lauren S.)
"Overall, this was a good cigar, it started off better than it finished however. The flavors went from sweet tobacco and vanilla changing to a harsher sweet tobacco with the vanilla going away. The only other flavor transition I picked up was in the final third it gained a coffee and cedar taste. Had it not been for the issues of construction and the multiple relites it would have been much more enjoyable. I would definitely try this cigar again hoping for better performance as the flavors were decent." -Angel M. (Angel)
"I was quite pleased with this cigar. Visually it was striking, while construction held up just as well as the looks. Then you take in the profile it offers and I really don't have much to complain about here. Who doesn't love a bit of sweetness in their cigar? Add in some citrus and twang and now I'm a happy camper. Have I ever mentioned that I enjoy a good box-press? Well I do and so should you....check out this cigar that is." -Doug S. (Unpossible_1)
One of the best received releases from JR Cigar’s 50th Anniversary Celebration is making a return. The Crowned Heads Mother Church will be coming back in limited quantities for JR Cigar and select Casa de Montecristo retail stores. We rated it a 92 in our blind testing and it made #4 on our top 25 list of 2021.
Drew Estate’s Pope of Greenwich Village is making a comeback to Smoke Inn’s Micro Blend Series. The Micro Blend Series is a collection of rare, small batch cigars as a collaboration between some of the premium cigar industry’s top companies and Smoke Inn’s owner, Abe Dababneh. The Pope of Greenwich Village is named after the 1984 movie of the same name which happens to be one of Drew Estate Founder and President Jonathan Drew’s favorite movies. The original Pope of Greenwich Village cigar was first sold in 2015 and was the tenth iteration of the Micro Blend Series. Smoke Inn and Drew Estate also brought back The Pope of Greenwich Village in 2021 and it sold out quickly.