The original Aristoff was a high end Dominican cigar. The brand was contract produced and owned by some guys who wanted to break into the cigar business, but were totally inexperienced. They entered the market at a bad time, had virtually no experience marketing cigars, and got no cooperation from others in the industry.
When they went belly up, their entire remaining inventory+ machinery, molds, etc. was sold to a major cigar wholesaler/retailer, who sold off the old inventory, including the original Masters of the Universe. He in association with the Bermejos, primarily Triki, reintroduced the brand. Triki Bermejo is NATSA, a Nicaraguan manufacturer, which produces brands like Montecruz Negra Cubana, Remedio, Villar y Villar, Jose Marti, and many others.
First production of Bermejo's Aristoff was mild and tasteless and there have always been draw problems with NATSA cigars. The excuse was always that they are shipped "wet" from Nicaragua and need drying time, but I think the problem has always been twofold: (1) NATSA is notorious for shipping cigars without any aging (2)It's doubtful that a mechanical drawtester is used on anything more than a fraction of production, if, at all.
These Masters of the Universe are very likely Triki's early production, so they, defacto, probably have at least one year's age on them. They are a very mild cigar.
The Aristoff Black is later production and a much fuller bodied cigar. With some age and stabilization, the larger vitolas seem to be a fine cigar.
The original Dominican Aristoff Black had a fine Brazilian Mata Fina maduro wrapper which was extraordinary.
The "deal" at $2.00 a stick will be appreciated by those who enjoy the original Macanudo taste profile, as these are extremely mild.
