This year Ventura Cigars features a three-robusto set with the Archetype theme. All three are Nicaraguan tobacco. The Cloaks and Curses are Broadleaf wrappers and the Crystals is Habano wrapped.

Cloaks

This is a maduro wrapper cigar with a medium box press. The series is produced in the Oliva factory. Aromas from the foot are mostly tobacco. The cold draw is perfect. Today’s beverage is a cold Topo Chico.

The initial flavors are earthy and spicy, more sweet than peppery. The retrohale is very smooth with just a touch of pepper. The burn is very even.

During the second third the cigar is mostly full bodied. The flavor profile remains consistent. The burn is also still very even.

Approaching the final inch the spices in the flavor profile are leaning toward cinnamon. The complexity of flavors is excellent. The construction is also excellent.

Curses

This cigar has an oscuro wrapper. The aroma from the foot is very light. The cold draw is perfect and has a light woody note. Tonight’s beverage is a cold Topo Chico.

The initial flavors are woody and sweet. The retrohale is very smooth and also has woody notes. The cigar is producing a solid amount of smoke and is burning evenly.

Some cedar notes join the flavor profile as the sweetness fades a bit. The retrohale remains very smooth. The burn is very even.

In the first third the sweetness returns to the flavor profile. The smoke is very smooth and thick. The retrohale is also exhibiting some sweetness. The burn remains very even.

During the second third the flavor profile remains consistent. The retrohale has picked up some pepper notes. The burn remains very even.

Approaching the final inch the complexity of flavors remains excellent. The construction is also excellent. This is a very good example of an oscuro.

Crystals

This cigar has a very smooth Habano wrapper. The aromas from the foot are earthy and nutty. The cold draw is slightly tight. Tonight’s beverage is a cold Topo Chico.

The draw opens up nicely at the light. The initial flavors are earthy and nutty. The retrohale is very smooth. The burn is perfect.

In the first third a deep woody flavor joins the profile. The retrohale is very smooth with light nuttiness. The burn remains perfect.

This is a nice medium bodied cigar. During the second third the flavor profile picks up a bit of sweetness. The retrohale is still very smooth and lightly nutty. The burn remains perfect.

Approaching the final inch the complexity of flavors remains excellent. The construction is also excellent. Of the three cigars in the series this one is the best.