Kristoff Galerones Intensivo

The Kristoff Galerones Intensivo is one of four new cigar blends that has been introduced in Kristoff’s Galerones line.  We’ve been covering and reviewing this line extensively on Cigar Coop.  The Galerones line is not just a set of new cigars, but has marked a radical change in direction for the products being released by Kristoff. The Galerones line features more sleek packaging, and incorporates tobaccos Kristoff has not previously used.  On top of that the Galerones is made in a different factory – Abe Flores’ PDR Cigars factory.  Each of the four blends of the Galerones line are distinct.  Our assessment of the Kristoff Galerones Intensivo completes the series on reviews of the four blends in this line.  In this case, the best might have been saved for last – as this might be the best cigar of the line.

The name Intensivo is intentional. This is intended to be the fullest-bodied cigar of the Galerones series. It also marks the first box press cigar that Case has ever done.   Like all of the Galerones blends, the Intensivo was built from the ground up – and is a completely different blend than the other Galerones blends (DR4, Sentido, and Ceniza de Plata).

Without further ado, let’s take a closer look at the Kristoff Galerones Sentido and see what this cigar brings to the table.

Blend Profile

The Kristoff Galerones Intensivo blend features tobaccos from four countries.  While Case has worked with the Arapirca wrapper before, the fillers are very different from what he has used before.

Wrapper: Brazilian Arapirca Maduro
Binder: Nicaraguan Cuban Seed
Filler: Nicaraguan Cuban Seed, Dominican Cuban Seed, Honduran Cuban Seed

Vitolas Available

The Kristoff Galerones Intensivo is available in four vitolas. As mentioned above, this is a box-press cigar and each of the vitolas reflect this.

Robusto: 5 x 52
Toro: 6 1/4 x 54
Torpedo: 6 1/4 x 52
660: 6 x 60

Appearance

For this cigar experience, I smoked the Toro size. The Arapiraca wrapper to the Intensivo has a coffee bean color, but it has more of a reddish tint than what I have seen before. There wasn’t much in the way of oil on the Intensivo’s wrapper.  There are a few visible wrapper seams and a few visible veins.  The box-press itself is a firm press.

Like the other cigars in the Galerones Series, the banding and packaging of the Intensivo are different than most of the Kristoff line.  These bands have more of a glossy, smoother look.

Packaging of the Kristoff Galerones Intensivo

There are two bands on the Intensivo. The primary band has a black, burnt red, and gold color scheme. The top section of the band has a burnt red background in a gradient style. On that background is the text “KRISTOFF” in a slightly curved arrangement in gold. The remainder of the top section of the band has gold adornments – including a crown on top. The lower section of the band has a black background. The text “GALERONES” sits on top of that background in a a duller gold font. Below that text is the text “SERIES” in a burnt red colored font. On the left side of the black background is the text “D.Republic” and on the right side is the text “Glen Case” – both in gold scripted font. The remainder of the band has gold trim.

Immediately below that band is a secondary band. It has a black background as well. The text “KRISTOFF” sits on top of the background in gold font. Below that is the text “INTENSIVO” in pale red font with gold trim, and just below that is Glen Case’s name in gold cursive font surrounded by a white stripe on each side.. To the left and right is the text “GALERONES” in a dull gold font. There is also gold trim on the band.

Preparation for the Cigar Experience

For my smoke of the Kristoff Galerones Intensivo, I went with my usual choice of a straight cut. After removing the cap, it was time for the pre-light draw. The dry draw provided a combination of rich coffee and cedar spice. Overall I considered the pre-light draw to the Intensivo to be excellent. At this point, I was ready to light up this cigar and see what the overall cigar experience would bring to the table.

Flavor Profile

Overall, I found the Kristoff Galerones Intensivo to not have the most overly complex flavor profile, but the flavors it did deliver were excellent.

I found the Intensivo started out with a combination of pepper and cedar. These two flavors were shortly joined by some notes of coffee and what I term a “maduro-like” sweetness. As the Intensivo burned through the first half, the coffee and cherry sweetness became a primary flavor and he cedar and pepper became secondary. Meanwhile, I picked up pepper notes on the retro-hale.

In the second half, I found the Intensivo maintained the coffee and maduro sweet flavors. The cedar notes remained in the background. I did find that the pepper notes increased in the second half. With the pepper notes joining the coffee and maduro sweetness right until the end. The resulting nub was soft to the touch and cool in temperature.

Burn and Draw

From a burn standpoint, I did find a few minor flaws on the Intensivo – mostly cosmetic as opposed to construction-wise. While I was able to keep the burn line relatively straight, it did require more touch-ups from my lighter than I prefer. The resulting ash had more of a charcoal gray ash color. The burn rate and burn temperature were ideal

Burn of the Kristoff Galerones Intensivo

The draw was excellent on this cigar.  There was a tiny bit of resistance to the draw on this box-press, but it is something that I think its a positive.  This made the Intensivo an enjoyable cigar.

Strength and Body

One thing I was really surprised at was the level of strength in this cigar.  For an Brazilian Arapiraca wrapper, this cigar definitely kicked up some strength.  I asked Case about this on Episode 84 of our Stogie Geeks show and he explained that it was the tobaccos in the fillers that contributed to this.  I assessed this cigar as having just enough strength to qualify as a full-strength cigar.  As for the flavors, there definitely was some weight on the palate.  I assessed the flavors as being full-bodied. I did concur with the way Case and Kristoff positioned the Intensivo as their fullest bodied cigar.

As for strength versus body, this cigar does a nice job at balancing both of these attributes as neither attribute overshadows the other.

Final Thoughts

Much like how I can be critical of Mexican San Andres wrapper, I can also be critical of the Brazilian Arapirica wrapper.  With Arapirca I find that at times it can impart a musty quality and it can overpower a blend.  With the case of the Intensivo, Case and the PDR Cigars factory have found a way to make it work – and make it work well.  This still isn’t going to be the most complex blend, but it is going to deliver some excellent flavors.  The burn issues were more minor and cosmetic – as I still think this is a well-made cigar. Given this is a full strength, full-bodied cigar – this is one I would recommend to a more seasoned cigar enthusiast.  As for myself, this is definitely a cigar I would smoke again. The flavors combined with the strength make this my favorite cigar in the line.  It has become a box worthy cigar.

Summary

Burn: Good
Draw: Excellent
Complexity: Low
Strength: Full
Body: Full
Finish: Good
Assessment: 4.0 – Box Worthy
Score: 92

References

Price: $10.50
Source: Purchased 
Stogie Geeks Podcast: Episode 84
Stogie Feed: n/a