Kristoff Sumatra
Wrapper: Ecuadorian Sumatra
Binder: Brazilian
Filler: Dominican, Nicaraguan
Made In: Dominican Republic
Size: 5.5×54 Robusto
Price: About $7 to $8 per single
Appearance & Construction: Nice rustic looking cigar with a traditional pigtail cap and a shaggy foot. The wrapper is a chocolate brown color with some slight color variance in some areas and a moderate amount of veins. Construction seems good and the cigar seems packed with tobacco.
Smoking Characteristics: The cigar has a nice draw with a bit of resistance. The burn was a bit off and needed to be touch up quite a bit. I’m not sure if it’s because of the uneven burn that starts right off the bat with the shaggy foot or if it’s the cigar itself. Usually I don’t mention burn rate unless it is out of the norm and in this cigar’s case, it is extremely slow, which is the case with most Kristoff cigars. This robusto, granted it’s a large robusto, smoked for a good two hours which is very slow for a cigar this size. The ash is a medium gray color and is nice and compact. The body of the cigar is medium as well as the strength. The flavor is medium to full.
Flavors: The Kristoff Sumatra starts off with some nice sweet dried fruit flavors along with some spice and floral notes on the finish. A well balanced cigar with a decent amount of complexity. As the cigar progresses it becomes sweeter and less spicy but still maintains the dried fruit and floral flavors.
Final Thoughts: This cigar is unlike any Kristoff I have had in the past. The flavors are a nice rich complex combination and the cigar still maintains that smoothness which I have come to really enjoy from Kristoff Cigars. The cigar is a definite winner in my book. One suggestion with this cigar is, make sure you have time. The extremely slow burn rate will throw you loop if you are not aware of it.
Worth a Shot: Yes
Buy Again: Yes
Enjoyablity: Medium to High
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I see you enjoyed this stick more than I did. I thought it was a decent cigar and definitely different than the other kristoffs I have had I the past, however I did experience a “kristoff” flavor that I have experienced in the other cigars I have had from them. Maybe that is what threw me off. A sollid stick just not up my ally, but heed Adam’s warning this is a slow burning cigar. Nice review Adam……
Glen Case here, owner of Exclusive Cigars. Just wanted to say thanks for the nice write-up. You are right, it is very different than anything I’ve ever made before. I have to say it’s my favorite after the Vengeance Maduro Ligero. Thanks again and take care. Glen-
I am smoking my first Sumatra right now and I am definitely enjoying it! I have had many of their Maduros but this is a great addition to my arsenal. It’s a little spicier than expected from this review but the aroma and flavors are wonderful. One thing I have to give credit to Exclusive for is the construction of all of the Kristoffs I have had. Holy Cow these suckers are built impeccably! After having MANY cigars fall apart the minute you cute them, these suckers are like holding a BWM in your hand.
-Dave
Adam – Nice write-up! Like BradInBuffalo, I didn’t care much for this cigar. I like Kristoffs in general, but this one just didn’t do it for me.