Here goes my thoughts smoked in the order Jeebs labeled them:

#1 7x43, flat pressed, dark brown/blackish wrapper, gnarly looking with a sloppily applied cap

Not much on the initial cold draw. First puffs were slightly bitter and dry with maybe some dull wood notes. An easy, loose draw and copious amounts of smoke and a slight tinge on retro and a flaky grey ash. The wood/bitter and maybe cardboard on the tongue notes did not seem to change throughout. The only good thing I can say about this is the burn was razor straight. Pitched it at about 2/3 mark. I guess if you were riding around mowing and breathing Briggs&Stratton fumes this might be a good accompaniment.
I guess this is the yard gar but gonna wait until I smoke the others.

#2 7x47 Figurado with a uniquely rounded triple cap and tapered closed foot in a torpedo shape. Dark, mottled wrapper with black patches.

Notes of gingerbread on the first smell and cold draw. A very small slit or crack in the wrapper about 1” from the bottom but I did not cause problems. Slight pepper on the retro that never increased. The draw and burn were both perfect and loaded with velvety soft smoke that coated the tongue with notes of caramel, grilled beef or maybe beef gravy and salty Unami leaving a long, rich texture that lasted long after I finished nubbing it. I normally read while smoking and I had to stop and just pay attention to this cigar.
This has got to be the premium and I’m sure I have never had or even seen this cigar before. Fantastic!

#3 7x47 churchill with a very dark and blackish toothy wrapper in parejo vitola. One small patch place on the wrapper.

Slight barnyard notes on the cold draw which is usually a good sign. First impressions were of a tart slightly woody note, firm white ash and an easy draw with just a touch of black pepper on the retro. A large amount of dry, woody smoke with what seemed like some pencil lead were the main impressions from the very soft smoke. Nothing offensive but just not a lot going on. Some richness develops at about the 1/2 mark.
My guess is this is medium.

1. Yard gar
2. Premium
3. Medium

Come on Jeebs give me the details.

#2 sounds right up my alley

Give us the deets for #2, sounds like a winner!

DED, excellent write ups. Here is the list. And this is going strictly by MSRP, not the on sale price.

Mystery Trade Spring 2025
DeadEyeDick “DED”, Rick G

#1 - Oliva V Melanio Maduro PRIMO
#2 - Viaje H&H 2025 MID
#3 - JSK Kralot YARD

Three otta three ain't very good. 🤦

For what it's worth, I feel the same way about Melanio these days. The more I smoke higher end stuff the less I like them.

Was trying to figure out what I'm gonna smoke tonight, and even though the plan was to wait a bit, DED's review now has me reaching for H&HG.

Glad I have #2 sitting in my herf-a-dor. Was afraid I was gonna have to buy some of whatever #2 was. Might light one up soon

Price aside I would rank them the way you ranked them.

Oliva yard
JSK mid
Viaje premium

Haven’t had a H&H in a while….interesting results!

I was thinking maybe I didn't give them enough time to settle after their trip but the Viaje for sure the only one I would smoke again.

I dunno. I think it kinda proves a point about cigar prices. To date, I’ve never enjoyed an Oliva, even Melanio. The construction seems to be generally pretty good but I think they completely fail in the flavor department.

The Melanio has been resting since January 2024. Not old but not a green one. I don’t think we can put the poor performance down to age. Melanio is just overpriced, overrated dog rockets 🤣🤣

Sorry to delay things on my end. rough end to the week last week and inbed recovering last few days. i will have tracking for Tiver tommorow and it iwll be in the mail as i was just able to pick up the last piece of the puzzle.

Hope you're feeling better

I got this covered 4208526045259400130109355063852251 [frypan]

Tiver, inbound 9405530109355143611306

WTF?? 🤔

Haha

I'll keep an eye out Charles. I hope you are feeling better 🇨🇮


As an FYI to the group, my send to SOB is on hold for a little bit.