Wrapper: Ecuadorian Connecticut
Binder: Nicaraguan Cuban Seed
Filler: Quad Dominican Cuban Seed
Size: 5 x 52 “Robusto”
Body: Mild/Medium
Price: $7.20
Unveiled at the 2013 IPCPR trade show, this line of Galerones blends produced a very positive reaction. According to Glen Case, owner of Kristoff, this is one big step for mankind. Of the four blends, the Intensivo is the strongest one. This line is also the most expensive. The DR4 is the mildest.
The blends all come in four sizes: Robusto, Toro, Torpedo and Gordo.
And they are: Kristoff Galerones Series Intensivo, Kristoff Galerones Series Ceniza De Plata, Kristoff Galerones Series DR4, Kristoff Galerones Series Sentido, and the Kristoff Galerones Series DR4. Only the Intensivo is box pressed in all four sizes. In order of strength starting with the strongest are: Intensivo, Sentido, Ceniza de Plato, and the DR4.
I have reviewed the Intensivo and the Ceniza de Plata.
The cigars are being manufactured at the PDR Cigars factory in the DR. Abe Flores provided some very distinct directions and help in developing this line. Case liked Flores so much that he plans to continue working with him in the future.
The filler is made up of four different Dominican Cuban seed tobaccos; thus giving the cigar its name: DR4.
From the Kristoff web site:
“The DR4 is Kristoff’s mildest cigar but is still loaded with rich flavor. Utilizing four distinct Cuban Seed tobaccos from the Dominican Republic, hence “DR4”, the cigar delivers sweet cedar notes, almonds, honey and rich continuous notes of cream throughout. Blended for the beginner and experienced smoker alike.”
Construction is very good. Tight seams. But lots of veins. The wrapper is the color of a brown mouse. There is some slight oiliness and feels very smooth. The triple cap is nicely done.
I clip the cap and find aromas of cedar, wood, sweet cream, and butterscotch.
Time to light up.
I am not a big fan of mild cigars but this one promises to be very flavorful and so far, the blends have been superb.
The first puffs are very sweet. And quickly, pepper goes through my nose and I sneeze three times in a row. I have a sensitive schnoz.
The strength is indeed mild. But flavors begin to build immediately.
There is a slight salty pretzel element. A nice creaminess. And a woody component. But it is the sweetness that drives the bus.
The char line goes a bit awry and I fix it. It is an indentation that I’ve seen a lot lately in my everyday cigars. And this one won’t go away. I think I just got a bad stick and as this was a gift, I have only one. Knowing how well these cigars are constructed, I am just writing this off to bad luck.
I near the end of the first third.
The sweetness still prevails with the creaminess right behind. I am getting a nice honeysuckle flavor. Not quite honey. But just like the taste of the stem of the flower.
The char line finally corrects itself.
A nuttiness comprised of cashew and almond appears. The spiciness has moved towards the back.
Time to remove the secondary band. I’ve had the same issue with each blend I’ve reviewed. There is too much glue leaving a nasty residue on the face of the band.
The strength is closer to mild/medium now.
This cigar does not seem to be heading towards flavor bomb status like the Intensivo and the Centiza de Plata. In fact, it is devoid of anything enticing at the moment. Every manufacturer thinks that a Connecticut wrapper and a mild cigar can be putty in his hands. It will be he that makes a mild smoke and turns it into something it’s not. And that is the case here.
This is definitely a good cigar for newbies and for folks who prefer mild blends. But I am neither. I like some oomph in my cigar.
The spiciness returns at the halfway point. And gives the cigar some sorely needed oomph. The flavors are: Spice, sweetness, creaminess, nuttiness, and wood.
The last third begins and the burn issues seem to have been relegated to the past.
Removal of the primary band gets the same results. Too much glue in the same exact place ruining any chance of getting a nice photo. There is too much of it for me to snip it away. It is what it is.
The salty pretzel flavor returns.
With a couple inches to go, the strength hits medium bodied. It also releases all of its pheromones and the flavors become impressive. I wish they had this amount of flair much earlier on. After all, this is a $7 stick…which is the most inexpensive cigar of the series in this size by a couple bucks per stick. I guess you get what you pay for.
The two I reviewed were outstanding flavor bombs. It almost feels like Case dropped the ball on this one. The approach to this blend seems totally different than the others.
With only 1-1/2″ to go, the cigar becomes very bitter. The End.
After being gifted these three cigars, my friend decided to send me the Sentido which will finish up the Galerones line. So I am anxious to smoke, review and compare.
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