“The result was a cigar that demonstrates some of the finest work by Glen Case to date.”

Wrapper: Connecticut Broadleaf
Binder: Indonesian
Filler: Nicaraguan, Dominican
Country of Origin: Dominican Republic
Factory: Charles Fairmorn
Robusto Extra: 5 x 50
Price: $9.00
Review: Kristoff Vengeance Robusto (10/29/19)
Appearances on Countdown (By Year/Brand): 1 (2019)

Coming in at #2 is the Kristoff Vengeance Robusto. Vengeance actually was one of the earliest blends released by Kristoff and its company founder Glen Case. At the time Vengeance was released, Case’s company was known as Exclusive Brands.  As the Kristoff-named brands became a bigger part of Case’s portfolio, a decision was made to rebrand the company as Kristoff Cigars. In 2011, another decision was made to rebrand Vengeance as the GC Signature Series – where it remains a part of the portfolio. Fast forward to 2018, Case decided to resurrect Vengeance, this time branded as the Kristoff Vengeance and featuring a different blend. It’s the Robusto size in the resurrected Kristoff Vengeance blend that lands on this year’s Countdown.

Over the years, Case has worked with a variety of different tobaccos to use as wrappers for his cigars. One wrapper that had not been a part of the Kristoff portfolio is Connecticut Broadleaf – and that’s the wrapper used on the Kristoff Vengeance. The remainder of the blend uses an Indonesian binder and a combination of Nicaraguan and Dominican tobaccos. The Robusto measures 5 x 50 – complete with a covered footer. Production is handled at the Charles Fairmorn factory in the Dominican Republic.

The packaging is vintage Kristoff – rough cut boxes with packed in loose tobacco – using a powerful black and silver color scheme for the branding.

This is Kristoff’s first time on the Cigar Coop Countdown. They are one of three companies in 2019 to land on the Countdown for the first time. It is also the first time the Charles Fairmorn factory has landed on the Countdown.

As you smoke the Kristoff Vengeance Robusto, the cigar will deliver a combination of mocha (coffee and chocolate), earth, red pepper, raw honey, and lemon sweetness. This cigar starts out medium strength and medium-bodied before both attributes progress to medium to full in the second half.

There have been plenty of Connecticut Broadleaf cigars to land on the Cigar Coop Countdown over the years, the Kristoff Vengeance Robusto has to rank as one of the most of the unique ones I’ve had. On top of it, this is a cigar that seems to be getting better and better with age. It’s worthy of being on the podium for the 2019 Countdown.

 

For details of the 2019 Cigar of the Year Countdown, see our 2019 criteria.

Photo Credits: Cigar Coop