Kristoff Maduro

I was informed by someone on twitter who I know via the cigar boards that it seems like all the cigars I review score an ’85′ or better. I stated that I tend to only review cigars that I know I like and avoid those I do not like as if it was the plague. Well today’s review is to break that trend as I review the Kristoff Maduro Ligero. Please take the time to vote in the poll at the end of the review.

Cigar: Kristoff Maduro Ligero
Origin: Dominican Republic
Size: 6.5 x 56 (Matador)
Wrapper: Brazilian Maduro
Binder: Dominican and Cuban Seed
Filler: Dominican, 70% Ligero Nicaraguan

Appearance & Construction (19/20): The Kristoff cigar features a dark wrapper with a lot of veins. The cigar has pigtail cap, and a shaggy foot. The band is a simple brown on brown label with the word Kristoff in white. A secondary band is underneath stating the cigar is a maduro. The pigtail cap and the shaggy foot make it a nice cigar visually, but as well all know looks can be deceiving.

Flavor & Notes (20/30): The first third of this smoke is very bitty with notes of heavy earth. Once you get past the dirt there are some notes of a dark coffee similar to that of bustelo. The second third of the smoke, my palate was so dry despite drinking plenty of water as I smoked this cigar. The notes of Bustelo coffee were joined by the occasional nutty note,  but for the most part it was a very dry smoke to this point. As we reached the final third there was a brief period of sweetness, but the cigar began to burn hot and finish was a very dry earth

Burn/Ash/Draw (19/25): The burn of this cigar is very jagged, and needed to be touched up. The ash was a medium gray that did hold on well and looked very cool with the excessive veins visible as ash. The draw was tough and while annoying, I have had worse.

Overall (19/25): I know some people love the Kristoff line of cigars, but I am not one of them. The flavor profile reminds me of the days playing baseball, sliding into third base and getting a mouthful of dirt. Thankfully the notes changed at times, but the finish was a very dry dirt. No thanks, I’ll pass.

Rating: 77
Price: $8.75