Kristoff Maduro Review

     In this week's Blog I decided on one of my favorites, Exclusive Cigars, Kristoff Maduro - The Matador.  If you haven't heard about Kristoff, you must obviously live under two rocks.  A relative "newcomer" to the boutique cigar world, Kristoff http://kristoff.com/ has been around since 2005, and has made a definite mark on the cigar world.  I recently had the pleasure of sitting down and talking with Glen Case, owner and founder of Exclusive Cigars, and I now know what makes this company special.  Glen is truly a pleasure to be around and a very attentive man, Glen knows his cigar stuff, but held an unyielding ear to what those of us who were enjoying his cigars had to say.  So with that being said, you may find my review just a bit biased, but for good reasons.

      As mentioned above I'll review the Matador today.  It's a 6.25 x 60, beauty of a stick with the old-fashioned "twisted pig tail" finish on the cap, and the shaggy finish on the foot.  Quite a hefty stick that's filled with tobacco and has one of the most pleasant pre-light aromas you'll find in a Maduro cigar.  Well constructed with a very chocolate Maduro wrapper, that had absolutely no flaws.  This cigar has Dominican Olor and Cuban Seed Nicaraguan fillers, a Dominican Republic binder and is cloaked with a Brazilian Maduro wrapper.  The pre-light draw is easy with floral hints, that are very satisfying, after-light, from the first puff, you know you're about to enjoy a hell of a stogie.  Mounds of smoke pours from this cigar and the aroma is really nice, again especially for a Maduro cigar.  You'll find some spice and sweetness in this cigar, with hints of toasted nuts as well as the robust taste of that Brazilian wrapper.  There is little to no aftertaste and for a medium to full bodied cigar, it's actually very light on the palate.  You can tell this is a very well constructed cigar. 

     The Matador burned evenly, and held a nice medium gray ash, that was firm and not flaky.  This stick is a doosey and took me two hours to finish with a glass of Crown Royal Cask 16 that complimented it well, such a great paring.  Absolutely no soft or rough spots throughout the cigar and about two-thirds in, I used my Cigar Stub www.cigarstub.com to really get into this thing.  Man, what flavor this thing builds to, still not overpowering, harsh or hot.  I know why I like these so much, you truly get a bang for your buck, and this is a very reasonably priced cigar (especially here in the People's Republic Of California). 

     So, what 'cha waiting for, get off your tush and grab a few or a box or two and join the Kristoff party.  I'm sure you won't be disappointed, as a matter-of-fact, I'm sure you'll be inviting others.  I've also enjoyed this stick with a Goose and Bull (Grey Goose and Red Bull), and it gives it a whole different finishing profile.  Still medium to full bodied, but the finishing sweetness is intensified just a little more.  I like these cigars and I like 'em a lot.  Until next time, CLP (clip, light and puff)  Long ashes!  (___G________]]]]~~~