Pete Johnson may have made the right decision when he brought back the Verocu line (from a monetary perspective, at least), though the cigar might have done well from a bit more tweaking in the laboratory. It doesn't seem to offer very much, but then again, what was offered in the first place that deserved a reboot? On the surface, it looks like a fantastically rolled and handmade cigar, even with a not-so-appealing band. But once lit, the Verocu falls short of today’s demand in flavor, and the quality we thought we knew from Pete Johnson.

Initial puffs of this dark little cigar are wheaty and woody but intensify to black pepper flavors, with hints of brazil nuts and a touch of acidity.