CA Report: Top New Cigars Kristoff Edition (February 19, 2024)
The Latest New Cigar Releases From Kristoff Reviewed!
Back in our last Top New Cigars, I was ranting about that rodent Punxsutawney Phil and his bogus forecasts. Early winter, eh? Here I am staring at nine inches of snow with no signs of stopping. Hate to say I told you so…time for a stiff drink and a scrumptious stick!
This week, Kristoff has taken over my mailbox with a flurry of new cigar releases. First, the buzzed-about Guardrail with a harrowing back story, Tres Compadres, and a special 2023 PCA release that’s made its way into our humidor. Check out all the smoky goodness inside and lemme know which fresh premiums you’ve been smoking in the comments below!
Kristoff Guardrail
Wrapper: Brazil Arapiraca Maduro
Binder: Dominican Republic
Filler: Dominican Republic & Zimbabwe
Clipping a guardrail at 65 mph on a motorcycle has all the makings of a 1000 Ways to Die episode. Kristoff founder, Glen Case, will be the first one to tell you that. With the harrowing experience well in his rear view, Glen is commemorating the event with a cigar—aptly named Guardrail.
Citrusy, tangy, spicy, and exciting…those are the flavor notes that my taste buds unveiled. And while I’m not quite sure how much of that Zimbabwean tobacco was used, there certainly were some things about the cigar that were unlike any I’ve ever smoked. Raise a toast to beating the odds and remember that life is short. Enjoy a cigar now.
Kristoff Tres Compadres
Wrapper: Nicaragua Habano
Binder: Nicaragua
Filler: Nicaragua Condega, Estelí, & Jalapa
A powerful symbol of brotherhood, Kristoff Tres Compadres pays tribute two of Glen’s closest friends, both of whom passed away within months of each other in 2021. “Tres Compadres is sweet, creamy and medium bodied at most with just a ton of flavor,” says Glen—and I’m inclined to agree–although I’d put this more toward the lower end of full-bodied. Additionally, I found a signature Nica floral note with a healthy serving of pepper on the finish.
Tip your hat to lifelong friends and hug them while you can, because you never know.
Kristoff PCA 2023 Signature Series
Wrapper: Brazil Arapiraca Maduro
Binder: Dominican Republic
Filler: Dominican Republic & Nicaragua
With only 1000 boxes made, PCA 2023 Signature Series from Kristoff is decidedly a limited run cigar. The flavors from each puff are similar (as is the blend) to Guardrail, yet it finds a way to blaze its own trail. I found the flavors to be equal parts earthy and sweet, with a tangy zest, and a Nicaraguan edge.
It’s hard to say with such low production numbers how long the boxes will last, but I think, especially for Kristoff fans, this is a must-smoke edition to your humidor. Check it out and let me know what you think—and hell, get a jump start to smoking season ahead of the thaw.