This Kristoff was in a bag of smokes bundled to support Cigars Smokers of Americas efforts to fight legislation declaring only cigars over $10 a stick to be luxury for tax purposes. (Correct last sentence if any details need adjusted, please. Going from decrepit memory)
It had the closed foot and pigtail, which I gather is shared among several Kristoff sticks. It was a nice maduro, just a little rough.
It lit easily enough and I was little surprised that the burn evened out within a minute or so. I had company, so I didn't take detailed notes.
However, this smoke was good enough that I stopped to comment on it within 5 minutes of lighting. It was thick and heavy with enough pepper to smart a little but still stay on the pleasant side. Coffe, chocolate and velvety spices dominate. Not a cigar for beginners. Macanudo smokers should probably pass.
The burn needed no adjustment at all throughout the entire smoke and the profile expanded over time. It was good enough that I would occasionally pause to look at the smoke and check the band, already planning to reorder.
I later learned that the GC in GC Signature stands for Glen Case, Kristoff's founder and president and is his personal blend. It is built with a Brazilian Maduro wrapper, Cuban seed Honduran binder, wrapped around Cuban seed Nicaraguan, Honduran and Dominican long fillers.
Atlantic has a box of 20 left for $164, in my opinion, a bargain. I'm going to try more Kristoffs. I've tried 3 in their line and they've all been winners.
I couldn't figure out the exact model, so to speak, and ended up calling the Kristoff offices. I spoke with a young lady there by the name of Wendy. She was extremely helpful, courteous and friendly, making a terrific impression for her company. We hung up without knowing exactly which stick I was smoked. But even after hanging up, she persevered and then called me back, identifying the cigar as the GC Signature.
Kristoff customer service is every bit as good as their cigars. Refreshing, as most penny-miserly MBAs running corporate America today would replace her with voice mail.
Pax
It had the closed foot and pigtail, which I gather is shared among several Kristoff sticks. It was a nice maduro, just a little rough.
It lit easily enough and I was little surprised that the burn evened out within a minute or so. I had company, so I didn't take detailed notes.
However, this smoke was good enough that I stopped to comment on it within 5 minutes of lighting. It was thick and heavy with enough pepper to smart a little but still stay on the pleasant side. Coffe, chocolate and velvety spices dominate. Not a cigar for beginners. Macanudo smokers should probably pass.
The burn needed no adjustment at all throughout the entire smoke and the profile expanded over time. It was good enough that I would occasionally pause to look at the smoke and check the band, already planning to reorder.
I later learned that the GC in GC Signature stands for Glen Case, Kristoff's founder and president and is his personal blend. It is built with a Brazilian Maduro wrapper, Cuban seed Honduran binder, wrapped around Cuban seed Nicaraguan, Honduran and Dominican long fillers.
Atlantic has a box of 20 left for $164, in my opinion, a bargain. I'm going to try more Kristoffs. I've tried 3 in their line and they've all been winners.
I couldn't figure out the exact model, so to speak, and ended up calling the Kristoff offices. I spoke with a young lady there by the name of Wendy. She was extremely helpful, courteous and friendly, making a terrific impression for her company. We hung up without knowing exactly which stick I was smoked. But even after hanging up, she persevered and then called me back, identifying the cigar as the GC Signature.
Kristoff customer service is every bit as good as their cigars. Refreshing, as most penny-miserly MBAs running corporate America today would replace her with voice mail.
Pax
