What a year it has been for this website. Since the start of the year we have increased our daily viewership 233%. Despite this there are some companies who refuse to send us press releases despite the fact we have asked numerous times. We took on our first advertiser and the only retail partner we work with, Small Batch Cigar who graciously gives our readers 10% off on their purchases (15% til December 31st).
Although it hasn’t been a perfect year. 1) We hit some inconsistencies on our review time frame as we struggled with shift work and the new schedule that changes every 15 weeks. For instance as I write this at 8am I have just gotten home from work after working the overnight which has become my favorite shift for the winter months. 2) We smoked way to many limited editions for review and I am smoking one now that will go up for review in the near future.
Our goal for 2025 is simple. We hope to add a couple of cigar companies as sponsors, limit the amount of limited edition cigars we review and increase the amount of cigars we review and finally we hope to double our readership.
Today, we start our countdown of our Top 5 Cigars for 2024.
Blackened S84 Shade to Black was released in 2024 as the follow up to the M81. Using a shade grown wrapper this cigar milder then the original but better balanced. Featuring an Ecuador Connecticut wrapper over a Connecticut Broadleaf binder the cigar is rounded out with Nicaraguan and Pennsylvanian Broadleaf filler tobaccos.
As I get older, life, it seems, will fade away, drifting further, every day. Blackened S84 Shade to Black allows me to get lost within myself. While those who love stronger cigars might not love this pseudo ballad of a smoke, it probably should have been the initial release of the series. It has an incredible depth of flavor that builds up to a medium-full bodied finish.
Read the full review: https://www.thebarrelburner.com/cigar-review-blackened-shade-to-black-toro/
Check back daily for the countdown and on Friday at 12 Noon Eastern time we will unveil #1 and our friends at Small Batch Cigar will have the 5 pack available for sale.
