Kristoff GC Signature Series Cigar Review

Released back  in 2011,  the Kristoff GC Signature Series cigar is one of those cigars that just keeps giving even after all  these years. It is certainly one of my “go-to” smokes if I catch it on the humidor shelf in a local shop. The problem  is, I tend to sit in the shop and just enjoy it and never get around to penning a review. Well that changes today!

The “GC” on the Kristoff GC Signature series stands for Glenn Case, the owner of Kristoff Cigars. As member of the corporate world for 19 years of his life Glenn explains on the Kristoff website why he decided to go into the cigar business:

It was one of those mid-life crisis’.  I’ve always enjoyed a good cigar and decided to pursue, what was an interest at the time; but it quickly turned into a passion.

The name Kristoff actually is derived from his son’s name Christopher and he even created a cigar named after his daughter Brittany, the Brittania Reserva.  So of course it only makes sense to  have a signature cigar right? The thing about a signature cigar is, it better be good or else..

The Kristoff GC Signature Series blend is described as:

• Wrapper:  Brazilian Maduro
• Binder:  Honduran
• Filler: Dominican, Honduran, Nicaraguan

The are available in 4 vitolas and packaged in 20-count boxes:

• Churchill – 7 x 50 (MSRP $9.10)
• 660 – 6 x 60 (MSRP $10.00)
• Robusto – 5.5 x 54 (MSRP $9.10)
• Torpedo – 6.25 x 52 (MSRP $9.80)

Pre-Light Examination

The Kristoff GC Signature Series is a dark brown solidly built cigar that is light on veins and has a solid feel  in the hand. The wrapper has a nice sheen to it.  I am sampling the torpedo for this review and I can say it is has a well rolled pencil tip cap and finished with a closed foot. It should be noted the other vitolas in the line are finished with a pig tail cap.

Running it across the nose I pick up a spicy tea aroma to it.

I snipped the head down about an 1/8 of inch to open it up and the cold draw offered some enticing gentle pepper and sea salt notes. One can not really comment on the draw itself because of the closed foot.

Knowing this cigar well, I was ready to light it up go on a tasty journey.

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Cigar Review Notes

• Initial light offer a decent amount of pepper on the nasal
• The pepper is quickly followed with a touch of espresso
• Sweet chocolate joins the espresso like a cafe mocha
• The smoke volume is medium
• Moving toward the first inch, a delectable maple syrup note enters 
• Butter and sweetness join the profile
• Solid white ash develops with a thin char line
• A gentle spice starts to build a background rounding out the early profile
• Beautifully aromatic and silky smooth smoke
• Ash held for almost half the smoke and once it falls it reveals a flat and centered burn cone
• Cedar enters around the midway point
• Pepper builds just shy of the band
• Spice dances back in the final third
• Touch of citrus at the end
• Strength was just shy of full
• Total Smoking Time was 1 hour and 15 minutes

Overall, the Kristoff GC Signature Series is certainly a cigar that will please your palate and is one of my picks when I enter a humidor. The burn was error free with an amazing ash. and the flavors complex. I have enjoyed this cigar with a mid-afternoon coffee and also a sweet rum in the evening. I think this would also pair well with a nice bourbon. I always say,if you want to know what best defines an owners blend, just ask them. In this case I have read the Kristoff GC Signature Series  is Glenn Case’s personal favorite and I can understand why. It is well deserving of being a signature series cigar for him.