Wrapper: Brazilian Arapiraca
Binder: Indonesian
Fillers: Nicaraguan, Pennsylvanian
Size: 5 x 50 Robusto
Strength: Medium/Full
Price: $14.00
Date Released: April 2024
Factory: Tabacalera Von Eicken
My cigars received 5 months of naked humidor time.
THE WHOLE MEGILLAH:
The cigar was released a year and a half ago. Reviews found the cigar to be solid. So, I decided to review it anyway to bring my voice to the table.
Once the double cigar band is removed, the gorgeous wrapper becomes the star attraction. Oily, veiny, and rich. I insert the oral contraception to my nose and find aromas of cocoa, café au lait, and barnyard.
The cap has a giant nipple. My PerfecPunch hops from one foot to the other while whispering, “Put me in coach.” I don’t need no stinkin’ guillotine cutter.
The cold draw is chocolate mocha creaminess. A little black pepper and littler cinnamon and malt.
There is a fertile flavor that I am unable to describe because I’m just stupid. It is a sign that the blender knew what he was doing. It is an unfathomable element. The IT factor. Simplified, it is earthy, woody, and savory/sweet. It creates a wonderful mouth feel that triggers the pleasure signals to the brain. I should make up a word or phrase for this. I’m working on it.
I recognize intense chocolatiness and wonderful rich coffee with cream notes. 20 years ago, I enjoyed the occasional Kristoff. But then it fell into the morass of your typical catalog brand that became unidentifiable with all its lookalike blends. This is my third 20th stick and they were consistent. For those that need stinkers to be discovered, I have various duds I plan on reviewing but it is such a waste of my time and energy that I must fortify my haunches to move forward.
The first inch is very creamy. I love my Ecuadorian/Dominican blends. But I love exotic blends just as much. Brazilian Arapiraca in the right hands works beautifully but most blenders swing and miss. You don’t see Indonesian leaves that often. There are several types which include Besuki and Sumatra. Kristoff doesn’t specify the type used in this blend. When I researched the general qualities of the leaf, the best I could find is, “Indonesian cigar leaves are generally mild, but aromatic and distinct and bring an earthiness and a distinguishable clove component to the taste profile.”
After writing the above, the clove becomes recognizable. Is it really there or am I subject to hypnotic suggestions? Both. It doesn’t matter as long as I find enjoyment in the experience. The vast majority of cigar smokers who never read reviews are missing out on an essential leg up.
Strength began at medium. As inch two begins, it is upped to medium/full without serious impact to my typing. My fuzzy computer screen and wobbly keyboard send a signal as strength swells…especially on an empty stomach.
Construction is top notch as the char line and slow roll are clearly evident.
Indian spices move to the forefront as well as brown sugar and cashew. There is a vibrancy building.
The 20th comes in four sizes: Robusto, Toro, Gordo, and Perfecto. And range in price from $14.00-$15.50. Smack dab in the average price range of a good cigar these days.
Creamy and smooth. Despite the strength not being apropos for the perfect morning cigar, the blend is amusing, albeit I am not. Writing several times per week for years takes its toll. I am an impatient man. I have no stamina to write, re-write, and edit ad nauseum to make my critique perfect. In the end, you get what I’m saying and hold no grudges.
My first sip of water occurs as the first half ends. No abrupt changes in the transitions. The chocolate silkiness keeps me interested. Is it a great cigar? No. But it is a solid cigar. The choices we cigar smokers have are dizzying. It is impossible to keep up. We fall back on our favorites but can’t help but give in to something shiny and new. Often, we are disappointed. Especially, when a reviewer steers you wrong. I hear a lot of that, and I apologize for my errant ways. We are all doing the best we can.
The sweet spot finds a home as the second half begins. I taste the aforementioned flavors. The sweet spot identifies a coalescence that makes the blend special. If the last couple of inches maintain an even keel, a couple fivers in the humidor is a good idea. The cigar industry recognizes that as cigars soar in price, ten count boxes are a smart idea. The old days of 20 count boxes have become a big expense that requires a large outlay of cash. Of course, I am speaking to those of you where price is paramount. There are others who spend thousands of dollars per week because they can and they must. We are not in that luxury category of buyers. Would it be nice? Sure. But obsessiveness is not the goal. It is fun to carefully pick and choose. Our wives demand that of us.
How can you not like creamy, smooth, mocha java, and brown sugar? I secretly want the 20th to take a dump on me so I don’t buy more.
We have our need for spicy. A nebulous goal. The 20th Anniversary’s mild white pepper kick is perfect. Just right enough to give the blend some zip.
Turns out that my Ibanez fretless has serious truss rod issues. I never thought of researching the issue. Now I am stuck with an expensive boat anchor. So, I sold it to a local guitar shop. They can replace the neck for cost. I bought a new Ibanez fretless SRF700. I went for the gold. Ibanez is a Japanese company that constructs their guitars in Indonesia. If you want American, you pay dearly. For $1000, I got a wonderful through-neck design with an unprecedented 30 frets instead of the usual 24 on top of two Bartolini pickups plus a Piezo pickup. The extended frets provide access to notes similar to an upright bass. The best part is the neck doesn’t have fret markers. It is common for fretless basses to have inlayed fret markers as a cheat for those inexperienced bassists. I am not one of those. It is constructed from 3 African woods as well using maple and walnut. It is the closest thing to my 1980 Schecter I wish I still owned. I researched the hell out of it before purchasing it because I don’t want to get bit again.
The last third is a dream. Not a hint of harshness or bitterness. Zero tarriness as one would expect from constant huffing and puffing. My only break was the need for typing.
You won’t go wrong with this blend.
You can purchase Kristoff Veinte 20th Anniversary from sponsor Cigar Page. Once again, Alex Gougher stepped up for you. Cigar Page already knocks off $2 per stick but you can take another 15% off with promo code KMVEINTE25. This brings the $14.00 Robusto down to $10.
RATING: 94
Take 15% off with promo code KATMAN15 from Small Batch Cigar exclusively.
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Categories: CIGAR REVIEWS
New bass makes me drool. My Warwick thumb is nice, but not neck-through, and I wish I’d sprung for the mo spensive one, like what ye got. Gotta be more stable.
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I’ve spent several months coming close to pulling the trigger on a few basses. All of them in the sub $1000 range. The SRF700 is the one that sold me. Bolt on necks can be hinky. Until the last Ibanez bass, everything I owned was made in America and I never had truss rod issues. A through-neck is a luxury. And the 30 frets, instead of 24, is a big deal.
I won’t have the new bass until next week. My fingers are crossed that it won’t need a professional setup.
If I were you, I’d check out Zzounds. If you don’t have the initial outlay of cash, you can get in on time with no interest and no credit check. They allow you up to $1500 in credit. So, you can go nuts.
And if you want to check out how gorgeous the SRF700 is, Ibanez webpage is here.
Thanks for your comment,
Phil
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Thanks for reviewing this one. Arapiraca is one of my favorite varietals and my stash is getting low. Was debating whether to spring and give these a shot or grab a bundle of the old standby, Espiritu #2. I think I’ll go with both.
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