Wrapper: Brazilian Maduro
Binder: Olor Dominican and Cuban Seed
Filler: Olor Dominican, Cuban Seed, and Nicaraguan
Size: 5.5 x 54
Body: Medium/Full
Price: $6.40 by the box of 20. $8 by the 5 Pack
Written by Katmancross
Exclusive Cigars makes the Kristoff Maduro along with the balance of Kristoffs. The company started doing business in 2005.
Construction is solid. Nary a soft spot. The foot is closed so sniffing around there. It has a nice triple cap pig tail.
The body is redolent of cocoa. And sweet sage honey.
The first taste is of cocoa and cedar with a bit of leather.
The sweetness from the cocoa is extremely satisfying. So I grab my Diet Coke to recreate the chocolate phosphate experience.
Shortly after that, the red pepper arrives. Typical of the Kristoff blends. There is a tad bit of saltiness here and there.
I have been a Kristoff fan for the last couple of years. It is a solid brand with solid blends.
The first third ends uneventfully. The flavors are just starting to spread their wings. As the second third begins, the spiciness ramps up. I like this.
It is here that the stick begins to become complex. The cocoa is augmented by some lovely creaminess. And the sweetness turns to caramel. I can also taste some strong coffee. But it is the cocoa that dominates the profile.
This blend is not as strong as the Ligero line. Which is full on strength and body. This is more of the beginning of the day cigar.
The second third really shows off the flavors. While the body remains medium in tone.
The last third is where this stick really shines. The spiciness is pushing for top billing. But a buttery smooth creaminess keeps it from being a total spice bomb.
I don’t drink so I cannot recommend a good libation to accompany this. Although a good Glen Livet would be nice. Unfortunately, as an old man, certain meds don’t agree with alcohol. I miss the combo of a good cigar and scotch.
The creaminess is now over the top. It swirls around my mouth like a Creamsicle. Absolutely gorgeous.
I don’t know much about Glen Case, the owner. Other than he brought this line of cigars out of the dark alleys of boutique cigars into the main stream. He carefully blended each new cigar to augment and compliment the rest of his line.
As I am only a couple inches away from nubbing it, I get some tart citrus. A cross between sweet grapefruit and lemon.
The cigar ends nicely without harshness or bitterness. And no nicotine buzz. No fear of my pants falling to my sneakers.
This is a cigar you can easily nub. The slight tartness disappears and is replaced by an even stronger cocoa and creaminess combination. The spiciness is nicely engaged but never overwhelming.
The only caveat is that this stick needs some time in your humidor to rest/age. The longer, the better.
I cannot find my nubber tool so I grab my cigar ice pick and use that instead. Even as the cigar turns into nothing, the flavors are still expanding and getting stronger.
I must now retract an earlier statement. I am starting to get a buzz from the nub.
I highly recommend this cigar and everything in the Kristoff line. These are solid, no nonsense, well made cigars.
At the $8 and under pricing, this brand is certainly a deal.
