Criollo Matador 6 1/2 x 54 Toro w/ pig-tail & unfinished foot
I
Semisweet chocolate hithers and thithers with stiff leathers holding peppercorn-laced pipe tobacco o'er mineral laden earthen under-belly. Much of the first third is spent trying to name that soap. Lifebouy? You'll shoot yer eye out, kid. Draw is wobbly via a spongy packing job with a myriad of softer spots.
II
Semisweet chocolate hides. Leather flexes ahead of a fleeting wood note addition. Its Cuban homage is them mineral meanderings, gentlepersons. Ash grows thick dark oily and over-insulates char if ya let it. Oil is yer two-third buzz-word in mouf and on slow-nigh too coolly burning shaft. Tobacco note gets fruity-yeasty.
III
A retro-hale simply forwards the peppercorn whilst too introducing a flinty note as it drops to palate. Something of a pale bitter floral note sidles in. Draw restricts a tick as oils flood sponginesses. Smoke out-put off each end mounts, but fails to leave much aroma in its pillowy wake.
FINAL GRADE: B
A 90-100 B 80-89 C 70-79 D 60-69 F 0-59
BINDER: Dominican
FILLER: Dominican, Nicaraguan
(Cuban seed, all)
STRENGTH: Medium
ORIGIN: Dominican Republic
IN ADDITION:
Manufacturer's notes via the Kristoff company website state re: this offering: "Made in the spirit of an elite Cuban cigar, the Kristoff embodies the taste and richness a true aficionado is looking for. With a rich oily wrapper, pigtail and uncut foot, the Kristoff tastes as good as it looks; it offers notes of toasted almond, hints of spice and a sweet finish. Treat your palate to this incredibly smooth medium bodied cigar."
Other vitola of this blend include:
750 Churchill, 5 1/2 x 54 Robusto, 7 1/2 x 40 Lancero, and 6 1/4 x 52 Torpedo.
Most recently -- "Tasting Note: Full of soft spots, this panatela offers some leather and raw earthy notes, but the draw is inconsistent and the finish is vegetal. [83 points]" Then:
Issue: Cigar Aficionado, Oct 01, 2015
Score: 89
A dark, streaky lancero that imparts the sweet taste of Cavendish tobacco with hints of dark chocolate. The finish is a bit flinty.
Issue: Cigar Aficionado, Dec 01, 2010
Score: 89
A long lancero with a tightly wound pigtail at the head. Its firm draw eventually improves, opening up to show earthy notes, leather, minerals and a peppery aftertaste."
Perchance to purchase yer Kristoff Criollo (Churchill) - Box of 20 to-day at Cigars City?
Score: 89
A long lancero with a tightly wound pigtail at the head. Its firm draw eventually improves, opening up to show earthy notes, leather, minerals and a peppery aftertaste."
Perchance to purchase yer Kristoff Criollo (Churchill) - Box of 20 to-day at Cigars City?