Kristoff PCA 2023 Signature Series

During the 2023 PCA Convention & Trade Show, Kristoff showed off a new addition to its Signature Series, the appropriately named Kristoff PCA 2023 Signature Series. Measuring 6 1/4 x 54, the box-pressed toro extra was sold exclusively to retailers who attended the aforementioned annual trade show. Blend-wise, it is made up of a Brazilian maduro wrapper, a Dominican binder and a filler blend composed of Dominican and Nicaraguan tobaccos.

This is actually the second time that Kristoff has released a PCA-exclusive creation; however, the PCA 2022 Signature Series was a 6 1/2 x 60 perfecto vitola that featured a different blend.

With the addition of the 2023 PCA release, Kristoff’s Signature Series now includes four different cigars, each of which is a different blend:

• Glen Case Signature Series (6 x 60, 5 1/2  x 54, 6 1/4 x 52 & 7 x 50) — 2011
• JT Signature Series (6 1/4 x 54) — 2019
• Kristoff PCA 2022 Signature Series (6 1/2 x 60) — 2022
• Kristoff PCA 2023 Signature Series (6 1/4 x 54) — 2023

The Kristoff PCA 2023 Signature Series was rolled at Tabacalera Von Eicken in the Dominican Republic, the factory formerly known as Charles Fairmorn.  The release is limited to 1,000 20-count boxes—for a grand total of 20,000 cigars—which started shipping to retailers in September 2023.

• Cigar Reviewed: Kristoff PCA 2023 Signature Series
• Country of Origin: Dominican Republic
• Factory: Tabacalera Von Eicken S.R.L.
• Wrapper: Brazil (Maduro)
• Binder: Dominican Republic
• Filler: Dominican Republic & Nicaragua
• Length: 6 1/4 Inches
• Ring Gauge: 54
• Vitola: Toro Extra
• MSRP: $12 (Box of 20, $240)
• Release Date: September 2023
• Number of Cigars Released: 1,000 Boxes of 20 Cigars (20,000 Total Cigars)
• Number of Cigars Smoked For Review: 3

Covered in mottled, coal-colored wrappers that feature copious amounts of oil, each of the Kristoff PCA 2023 Signature Series also has numerous thin veins running up and down their lengths. In addition, each has a nice visual combination of a soft box press and a small coiled pigtail on the top of the cap, and all three are extremely spongy when squeezed. Aromas from the wrappers include gritty earth, nuttiness, barnyard, leather tack, sweet woodiness and black pepper along with some generic sweetness. There is quite a bit more going on when smelling the feet, as a strong dry hay note leads earth, generic nuts, creamy cedar, cinnamon and malty sweetness. Finally, after straight cuts, the cold draws bring flavors of leather tack, earth, almonds, creamy cedar, coffee beans, black pepper and graham crackers sweetness

Immediately after lighting up the feet of the Kristoffs, I am greeted with a combination of anise and black pepper along with a bit of spice on my tongue. After nine puffs, main flavors of spicy leather and cocoa nibs emerge, followed by earth, straw, brewed espresso, cedar and more of the aforementioned anise. In addition, the retrohale has plenty of black pepper and a small amount of pomegranate sweetness, although one cigar has noticeably more of the latter note than the other two, at least at this stage. Flavor and body are just over the medium mark, and while the strength hits a solid medium by the end of the first third, it is definitely increasing. Construction-wise, there are no issues whatsoever with the draw or smoke production for all three cigars, and only one cigar needs a minor correction with my lighter to stay on track.

While powdery cocoa nibs and spicy leather notes continue to top the profile of the Kristoffs in the second third, a new mineral saltiness shows up on two of the cigars, albeit for only a short amount of time. Secondary flavors of espresso, dank earth, sourdough bread, hay and cedar flit in and out at various points, while the amount of black pepper and pomegranate sweetness remains about the same compared to the first third. Flavor bumps up slightly to land at medium-plus, but the body remains at just over medium and the strength increases noticeably to end at medium-plus. All three aspects of construction—burn, draw and smoke production—are now working together in harmony, and there are no issues with any of them throughout the second third.

There is virtually no change in the main profile of the 2023 PCA Signature Series during the final third: cocoa nibs and spicy leather easily outpace the secondary flavors of cedar, earth, toasted bread, hay and generic nuts. However, there is a change in the retrohale, where the amount of black pepper has increased slightly and the amount of pomegranate has decreased slightly as well. Flavor remains at medium-plus until I put the nub down with about an inch remaining, while the body increases to medium-plus and the strength hits medium-full. Finally, although the wrapper on one cigar does unravel a bit, it does not cause any significant burn issues, and all three cigars feature excellent draws and copious amounts of smoke emanating from their feet until their respective ends.

Final Notes

• From a visual perspective, I love the white and silver bands that contrast nicely against the dark brown wrapper of the cigar.
• The Kristoff brand is named after Case’s son, Christopher, and he has a line named Britannia Reserva after his daughter, Brittany.
• Interestingly, starting around the halfway point, the ash became quite a bit more flaky in nature on two of the cigars compared to what I experienced in the first half of each. It never became a major issue, but it was significant enough that I made a note of it.

• As mentioned above, the wrapper on my second cigar unraveled a bit during the final third, but it corrected itself with no help from me.
• The cigars smoked for this review were purchased by halfwheel.
• Final smoking time averaged an almost shocking one hour and 54 minutes for all three cigars.
• If you would like to purchase any of the Kristoff PCA 2023 Signature Series cigars, site sponsor Famous Smoke Shop has them for sale on its website.