I’m assuming that the GC in the new Kristoff GC Series stands for Glen Case, President of the brand. After the experience I had with this cigar, you can attach my initials to it anytime. This new release from Kristoff is a flavor bomb and is sure to be a hit once it reaches store shelves.

Taking off the cello this dark, oily, behemoth of a robusto immediately intimidates me. Measuring in at 5 ½ x 54 this robusto is a hefty smoke, moving my fingers across the cigar I can feel this is very well packed. The wrapper has a very rustic look, which is dominated by two shades of dark brown and is practically oozing oils. The wrapper is very aromatic and has a classic barnyard aroma with a sugary hint of molasses and spice, which reminds me of a good barbeque sauce. This cigar is topped off with a pigtail and a closed foot.

The cigar lights very easy and the first few puffs reveal warm earthy notes with hints of french press coffee. The finish has strong notes of molasses; slightly malty, sweet, and savory. This cigar starts as a very smooth medium bodied smoke with a creamy mouth feel. The draw is tight for the entire first third, there is a lot of standing smoke but I'm still getting a decent amount of smoke volume. The draw problem does not effect the burn which is rock solid with a nice burn line. By the end of the first third, sweet hints of cocoa fleet in and out of the main flavor profile.

Coming into the second third the draw really opens up and the body starts its crescendo into the  medium-full range. This is when the Kristoff GC really starts to shine. A lot of complexity starts building, the main profile is still earthy and loaded with notes of coffee but the second third really brings a lot of new flavors to the table. Roasted nuts and wood with hints of cloves and some mild baking spices join the main profile creating a smoke with tons of flavor. The finish is long and rich and still consists of that mouthwatering molasses taste. The ash holds almost the entire way through the second third and is colored a light gray. Just look at that ash! The burn is perfectly slow and even.

The last third steps up to the full body range and the cigar opens up even more giving me loads of smoke with the lightest of puffs. The woody notes have evolved into what I would call sandalwood and is becoming more dominant in the finish. A bit of black pepper is coming into play adding a nice spice element to a smoke that has been silky smooth up until this point. The wrapper is really leaving a nice sweetness on the lips and really just rounds out this smoke making it extremely balanced with a very extensive flavor profile. The last couple of puffs really coat the mouth and coming to the end of the smoke I feel a healthy dose of vitamin N making its way through my body.

This smoke lasted for a wonderful 2 hours and 15 minutes and I really have to say it was like smoking a barbecue dinner. The Kristoff GC Signature Series Robusto is complex medium to full bodied smoke that really packs a plethora of flavors while keeping a very consistent and balanced profile of earthy notes, coffee, roasted nuts, wood, and mild baking spices with a rich and sweet molasses finish. Glen Case definitely has a winner with this one!

Pairing note: I paired this cigar with a Hung Shui Oolong from Feng Huang Taiwan. The floral sweetness of the tea blended well with the malty sweetness of the cigar and brought forth a more well rounded character of sweetness which was pleasantly smooth and refreshing on the palate.

-Mr. Penny

Ernesto Carrillo has extended his very successful and extremely well crafted stable of brands to include a Broadleaf Maduro version of his regular production Core Line. I got my hands on the No. 4 Corona  (5 1/8 x 42) this morning and I’m going to give it a whirl.

The cigar has a very dark and rustic Maduro appearance, does not look to be cooked or dyed in any way.  Has some of that classic barnyard, earthy smell to it. Construction is very solid; the cigar is well packed with tobacco.  Pre-light draw has bittersweet cocoa and classic tobacco flavors.  After lighting up this small corona, due to the firmness of the cigar I thought the draw would be tight, but on the contrary, ample smoke is pulling through this mini maduro. Right off the bat I notice the increase in strength in relation to the regular Natural wrapped EP Carrillo Core Line.

Starting off, I’m getting a lot of spice through the nose with an initial blast of spicy cocoa flavors.  The aroma is mostly rich maduro smoke, thick with sweet flavors. Because of the small ring gauge of the Corona size of this E.P. Carrillo Maduro, the Connecticut Broadleaf wrapper is dominating the flavor of the cigar. This is not a bad thing, by the way! The ash holds firm for about an inch or so on this small stick showing you the cigar is definitely well packed. As I move into the second third, I’m starting to notice the Sumatra binder is adding a nice spiciness to the finish.  Similar sweet and cocoa rich maduro flavors continue through the rest of the smoke as it continues to build some body. As I smoke my way into the last third, I’m getting more spice on the finish, as the rich maduro flavors continue.

Overall I think the Carrillo family has worked their magic once again. As far as blending is considered, this cigar has everything a maduro lover can ask for. Rich, sweet, cocoa flavors mixed with just the right amount of earthiness and spice. While the Corona offered more wrapper flavor, I can’t wait to try a larger ring to see how Ernesto Carrillo’s filler and binder blend changes the overall flavor. With Carrillo, you can’t miss, especially at the Core Line price point. If you like Maduro, definitely watch out for this one.

Keep your eyes peeled on the Blog, Facebook and Twitter for the latest releases as they come in. For now, you can visit our E.P. Carrillo Core Line Maduro page and put yourself on the list to be notified when they come in.

Keep on smoking!

-GC