Kristoff Shade Grown

Kristoff Shade Grown is among the most recent releases from Kristoff Cigars out of the Dominican Republic. For years, Kristoff Cigars has been hanging in the background of the cigar industry, mainly supported by somewhat of a cult following. It seems like the brand gets bigger and bigger every year, with new blend after new blend coming out on a fairly regular basis. As for this Shade Grown blend, it is said that it’s actually a re-release of what was once known as Kristoff Britannia, a line that came out over a decade ago. Regardless of whether or not that is the case, Kristoff Shade Grown is a solid blend, made at the Charles Fairmorn Factory in The Dominican Republic using Dominican and Nicaraguan fillers, a Dominican binder, and a Connecticut Seed wrapper leaf from Honduras. This blend is unique in that despite the fact that it uses a Connecticut Seed wrapper, it is far from what many would consider to be mild. Kristoff Shade Grown begins with a deep, earthy flavor that remains until the end of the cigar. Creamy sweetness hangs in the background, along with hints of nuts and meaty undertones. Black pepper ties the package together, along with some cayenne on the finish. This is certainly not a typical “shade grown” cigar, as the body is heavy and the flavors are quite bold. After all is said and done, this is a firm medium-full-bodied cigar. Kristoff cigars are made for a particular audience, though this blend should be well-accepted by the majority of cigar fanatics. The flavor profile is simple, and though a bit on the strong side, it is nothing overpowering or too intense. Kristoff Shade Grown pairs well with dark beer, red wine, or coffee, and is comparable to fuller-bodied Connecticut blends such as Camacho Connecticut and Liga Undercrown Shade. Whether you are a long-time fan of Kristoff cigars or just want something new and different, Kristoff Shade Grown makes a great choice.