[shopkins82]

I received the Nitro sampler today. Given the price, I'm happy enough with the quality.

Despite the "Java" in the name, these are much more of an herbal infusion along the lines of Acid and not much like Tabak, Java, or Isla del Sol from Drew. I would really consider these a Kuba Lite... less infusion flavor, less sweet, less smooth. The lower tip sweetness surprised me as I though they might have gone overboard here to compensate for less flavor elsewhere.

The larger vitolas (Petit Torpedo, Double Corona, Toro, Cetro Largo) are well made but densely packed to the point of having a slightly tough draw. It's a trait I've seen especially with some cheaper torpedos (nearly identical to Flor de Oliva) where the taper at the foot is particularly densely packed. A quick poke with a draw tool opened things up, though. Overall, enjoyable enough for a cheap every-day infused.

The smaller vitolas (pantela, slim pantela, half corona) are pre-cut and seem to be a bit over-humidified. They are also firm to draw but feel moist and spongy. They have even less sweetness and infused flavor. Coming back to the Acid comparisson, the Half Corona is not Blondie replacement by any means... the Slim Pantela might make due as a C-Note replacement for anyone who smokes those, but that speaks more to the lack of quality of the C-Note than the prowess of the Slim Pantella.

I can't find any reason I would buy boxed of the smaller vitolas, but the larger ones are of adequate quality and still seem like a solid deal in at "2-FER" box pricing. If I do purchase, it will likely be a "2-FER" of Torpedo No. 2 (6 x 62) for $50... if the Torpedo No. 1 (4 x 62) were any cheaper I'd go that route, but they're the same price. That said, I may give the Dolce Vita sampler a try first to see if it's more along the lines of Tabak or Java (as it appears to be an attempt at a Tabak clone). If it's no better, the Nitro 2-FER might be in my near future.