Kristoff Cigars are made by one of the fastest growing boutique brands on the market. Through careful work and growth, they have developed a full line of cigars that rival many Cubans. This has been a massive win with cigar fans all over the world. The secret of many of their products lies in the double and triple fermented babacos they have become famous for. Another reason they have become popular is they are reasonably priced. Explore reviews of the Kristoff Cigars and others on the market below.
|
Arturo Fuente Don Carlos Eye Of The Shark |
 |
||
|
Arturo Fuente Don Carlos Eye Of The Shark |
 |
||
 |
|||
 |
Kristoff Cigars are made to rival a good Cuban. Their blends have evolved over the last 14 years as they search for their market share. The variety of blends deliver something for everyone whether is a bold Pistoff Kristoff or the creamy smooth Kristoff Connecticut.
There are 13 different blends under the Kristoff Cigars label. They are: Original Criollo, Brittania Reserva, Corojo Limitada, Kristoff Ligero, Kristoff Sumatra, GC Signature Series, Galerones Series, Kristania, Cuban Selection, Premium Selection and It’s a Boy/It’s a Girl. Three blends also come with a mix of maduro for the final blend.Each of the Kristoff Cigars come in a variety of sizes. This includes: Churchill (7″ x 50), Torpedo (6.25″ x 52), Robusto (5.5″ x 54), Matador (6.5″ x 56), Lancero (7.5″ x 40), Short Robusto (4″ x 54), Corona (5″ x 44), Gordo (6″ x 60), and Perfecto (6.5″ x 60).As this brand fights for its place in the market, they have become known for trying new and innovative takes on traditional cigars. This can be seen in the variety of ways they present their cigars and the range of shapes. There are torpedo type casings, wraps and even twist tops.
While they offer cigars in the traditional boxes for sale, they also offer some less than conventional packages as well. As they push to open up the art of cigar smoking to a broader audience, they have packaged smaller sampler kits to give new buyers a variety of tastes. Many new customers appreciate the chance to try a cigar without buying a whole box and also tend to explore more from the company because of this.
This affordable cigar is sold by the box. On the low end, a box of Kristania for around $$. There are also small sample bundles available for under $$. On the high end, a box of Kristoff Brazillian Habano runs about $$$. One of the best things about the Kristoff Cigars is the wide range of price points.
Within the price range, they are right in pace with the Olivia product listed below. The other two cigars which we reviewed are usually at higher price points.
We picked a couple of similar products available on the market to see how they compare to the Kristoff Cigars. They were compared on the following factors: Price, Taste, Country if Origin, Quality, Body, and Pros & Cons.
|
|
|---|
An evolving and growing brand seems to be priced at an appropriate level. The affordable pricing makes it a crowd favorite.
Taste
Variety of blends deliver a solid taste profile. The range includes a smooth and creamy mild cigar, mid-range traditional Cubans and bold flavors.
Country Of Origin
From the Dominican Republic with tobacco seeds from Cuba.
Quality
Minor complaints of outside cracking, but nothing significant. A wide variety of outward presentations.
Body
Mixes made with flavors bold enough to stand alone and complete a full body. Brand is known for trying innovative mixes.
- Variety of blends for a range of tastes
- Affordable and easy to find
- Double-banded for better burning
- Outside wrap often cracks
- Wrapping technique is not favored by some smokers
|
|
|---|
There is little wonder why this unique cigar was named Cigar of the Year for 2017. Not only does the unique torpedo design make it easy to spot, but the bold flavors make this a real experience. The Eye of the Shark is a re-launch of the Don Carlos.
The top half of each cigar is pressed while the bottom is half-pressed. The mix of a traditional Don Carlos cigar brings out the strong cedar notes and a hint of cider. There are also the ever-present scents of leather, spices, and nuts. The twist of citrus adds to the overall flavor. The addition of citrus gives smokers just a hint of something different and unexpected. This is one way the Eye of the Shark stands apart from the original Don Carlos.
Traditional fans of the Don Carlos will recognize the expected mix and also pick up the small hints of new ingredients. This brand is known for being both bold and made from high-quality materials. The outside of the cigar is just as high quality as the tobacco inside.
Price
The mid-range pricing reflects the new release of a traditional favorite.
Taste
The warm taste of cider, cedar, spices and leather combine and work nicely with just a hint of citrus. Customers find comfort in the familiar Don Carlos blend but also find something unique and innovative in the latest release.
Country of Origin
Dominican Republic
Quality
Customers expect and demand quality from this brand. The reinvented Eye of the Shark does not disappoint. The sleek design is just the first sign of the high quality cigar.
Body
Full taste profile that is improved with the mix of pressed and half-pressed fillings.
- High quality flavor one expects from the brand
- Innovative design
- Taste includes a full range of interesting notes
- More expensive than others on the list
- Comes in limited sizes
- Not fully the traditional Don Carlos
|
|
|---|
Everything about this cigar screams tradition. The full-bodied flavor reminds the user of years gone by. Even the name is a throw-back to the early days of the brand as 1926 pays tribute to the birth of the company founder. This is one of the most decorated cigars on the market as it has stayed in the top two spots for several years. This is easily the boldest and most potent cigar on this label. The earthy taste comes deep from within the coffee and wood hints. There is also a sweet addition of a black tea finish to complete the package. A well-refined smoker may even pick up a hint of licorice many miss.
This is the most expensive cigar on the list, and the quality is the reason for this price point. The craftsmanship is apparent in each cigar, and the smell as they are lit tells the user they are in for a real treat. Something as bold but straightforward as the hint of licorice is a nice addition to this deep cigar.
Price
The quality and a solid mix of only Nicaraguan tobacco make this worth the price.
Taste
The earthy feel of this cigar is something that is hard to replicate. The underlying hints of licorice and green tea add nicely to the woody feel.
Country Of Origin
Nicaragua
Quality
The high quality of these cigars is expected from the family tradition.
Body
The cigars are full-bodied and traditional. This is the type of cigar that bridges generations as it delivers the expected earthy texture and body.
- High-quality ingredients
- Traditional product line that does not disappoint
- Reliable quality and experience
- Less innovative than some other labels
- Cost is higher than most on the list
- Can be harder to find on the market
|
|
|---|
One of the most prominent tastes in this inexpensive cigar is the hint of sweetness in the form of molasses. This bold cigar maker has been in the market about as long as the people at Kristoff Cigars. They are known for being consistent over the years, even as the original company sold to a larger tobacco company. This cigar is on the bold side with flavors that are earthy and a little unexpected. There are traditional Nicaraguan tobaccos mixed with a woody undertone, spices, leather, and sweetness.
This cigar is not as bold as some others listed, but that seems to fit into the lower priced cigar. While they have a small following, this brand is still developing and also in a state of flux as it was recently incorporated into a larger tobacco group. It will be interesting to see if they try to find their flavors or find a way to compete with the more traditional cigars on the market.
Price
This is the lowest-priced cigar on the list.
Taste
While there is a bold taste to the cigar, the overall taste is not as deep as some other cigars listed.
Country Of Origin
Most of the tobacco comes from the Jalapa Valley in Nicaragua
Quality
While the flavor is nice, the quality if not at the same level as the other cigars listed.
Body
For the price point, the cigars are full-bodied and surprising.
- Great cigar for the price
- Bold flavor
- Easy product to purchase, readily available
- Lower quality than other cigars listed
- Only comes in a single size with one band
- Less innovative than the Kristoff Cigars
The makers of Kristoff Cigars push towards innovative blends and new flavors. The range of combinations offers something to just about anyone looking to discover their favorite cigar. They compete with the Olivia cigar makers. Both companies have been in the business for about the same amount of time and sell at a similar price point. The listed product by Olivia is the closest to the Kristoff Cigars on our review.The Olivia cigar differs slightly since it has a few different notes in their tobacco mix. This slight variation seems to make little change in the broader market as the two makers hover around close rankings overall. It seems both of these companies are reaching to establish the loyal following that someone like Padron has. Even the name containing the nod to their roots in 1926 remind their customers of the long-standing history.One reason Padron remains at the top of the market is their attention to detail and the deep running traditions of the brand. As makers like Kristoff further their mark on the overall cigar market, they will find their own loyal base. One thing they offer that more traditional brands do not is the push for innovative flavors and sizes. It is clear that they are hoping to capture part of the more conventional market while opening up cigars to a larger emerging fan base.The cigar from Arturo Fuente seems to be in limbo between the higher end cigars and the battle of the emerging brands. While they have been able to hit the top of the charts recently, they have not been as successful as the makers of the Padron line. They are getting close to the same level of quality, but they are not quite there.
It is possible that either Kristoff or Olivia will break away to become more of a competitor for the Don Carlos. With their wide range of products and a lack of fear when it comes to trying new blends, it seems that Kristoff Cigars may be the next big brand in cigars. They are a brand to watch and try in the coming years. They work hard to deliver enough variety of cigars that anyone can find one that suits them. The fact they are priced relatively low also makes it easy to try one, two or even a handful to find the best fit. This is made even more comfortable as they sell small sets of samples.