Kristoff GC Signature Series Robusto

The Kristoff brand was established by Glen Case in 2004 and is one of the fastest growing boutique manufacturers in the cigar industry. With simple packaging and without the use of flashy names, Kristoff lets the cigars speak for themselves. We can hear them loud and clear! Known for their bold and refined flavors as well as immaculate construction, Kristoff has assembled some of the finest master blenders with generations of experience.

The smoke you have in your shipment is truly a work of art, and the rumor on the streets is that it’s even Glen Case’s favorite smoke. This one of a kind smoke features a tri-country blend of Cuban-seed Dominican, Honduran, and Nicaraguan long-fillers, a Cuban-seed Honduran binder, and an almost black, uber oily, Brazilian Maduro wrapper. The stogie itself has a bit of a rustic look with a rough foot. Loaded with flavor, this full-bodied smoke features rich notes of oak, molasses, dried fruit, and cocoa, along with a spicy-sweet finish. Powerful from cap to nub, our panel loved this smoke and suggested pairing with something classic, like espresso roast or something different like mead. Our panel weren’t the only ones who liked it; Cigar Aficionado also loved it and gave it a 91 rating.

Though tobacco is indigenous to Hispaniola, the tobacco industry in the Dominican Republic existed in the shadow of Cuba’s dominance through the 1960s. When the exodus of Cuban cigar makers began in the wake of the revolution, many decided the Dominican Republic would be ideal for the resumption of their livelihoods. Unrest in Nicaragua in the 1980s fueled the Dominican cigar industry further. The country now makes more than half of the premium cigars imported into the U.S.

The Cibao Valley and the nearby city of Santiago are the center of cigar production in the Dominican Republic. Three main varieties are grown here: the mild and native Olor Dominicano; the intense Piloto Cubano, brought from the Vuelta Abajo of Cuba; and San Vicente, a milder and more acidic Piloto hybrid. Dominican puros were once unheard of as it was widely thought impossible to grow quality wrapper leaf on the island, but new growing techniques are now allowing some exceptional puros to be produced.