Cigar Review: Kristoff Ligero Criollo Robusto

Initial Thoughts:

We don't smoke a lot of Kristoff cigars here at CigarScore HQ, but when we do, we expect a great draw! That's because Kristoff employs the cigar rolling method of Entubado Bunching (see below), designed to improve airflow on cigars like today's for review, the Kristoff Ligero Criollo Robusto.

Entubado Bunching was originally developed in Seville, Spain during the 1600s. Entubado bunching is one of the oldest methods of tobacco rolling but is rarely used by cigar manufacturers today due to being too time-consuming. In this bunching technique, the filler leaves are twisted into thin scrolls that are then positioned alongside one another and molded together to form a bunch. This bunch is then rolled together in a binder leaf, creating a tightly wrapped cigar that delivers a beautiful combination of aromas and flavors. (Source: Havana House)

Based solely on the name of this cigar, I expected something bold. Ligero tobacco is bold, as is Criollo, so this could be a flavor bomb. However, smelling the wrapper of the cigar, I smelled something that reminded me of sweet-esque and musty pipe tobacco.

Visually, the Kristoff Ligero Criollo Robusto has an interesting look. The foot was shaggy and bits of the wrapper leaf were falling off of it. The smoking end was twisted into a pigtail, but that also meant there was no cap holding it together.

The cold draw had hints of cedar. After lighting the cigar, the flavors were very bold and spicy, but I didn't love them right off the bat.

CigarScore:

cigarscore 3 cigar rating

Brand: Kristoff
Line: Kristoff Ligero
Size: 5 1/2 x 54
Cut: Guillotine
Light: Torch
Price: $$9.02

Wrapper: Cuban-Seed Honduran Criollo
Binder: Cuban-Seed Dominican Republic
Filler: Dominican Republic, Honduras
Smoke Time: 60 minutes


After about 35 minutes, the cigar finally settled down and we got into a rhythm. The burn evened up, the cone turned into a nice, round dome, and the flavors improved. The flavors are both creamy and spicy, and a spiciness that tingles the sinuses on the retrohale.

Final Thoughts

After smoking the Kristoff Ligero Criollo Robusto for about an hour, I had to admit that this cigar was just okay.

Before we even got started, there was a crack down by the foot. Through the first thirty minutes, there were some pretty serious burn issues that had to be fixed. Additionally, for most of the cigar, the spicy flavors overpowered the creamy flavors, and I would've preferred something more balanced.

There were some significant issues with this cigar, and I didn't love the flavors. I also don't think this cigar is worth almost $10. So the Kristoff Ligero Criollo Robusto earns a CigarScore 3.

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