Vanguard by Griff and Dave

The Leaf

• Country of Origin: Nicaragua

• Wrapper: Ecuadorian Habano Oscuro

• Binder: Nicaraguan Jalapa

• Filler: Nicaraguan Jalapa, Nicaraguan Esteli, Nicaraguan Jalapa Medio Tiempo

• Size: 5 1/8 x 48

• Body: Mild to Medium

• Strength: Mild to Medium

• Personal Rating: 8.5 / 10 Tale Worthy

• If you like this, you might also like: Crowned Heads Mil Días, Somm Rioja, Warped La Hacienda.

What We Do Here

The beauty of cigars isn’t just in the smoke... it’s in the ritual, the memory, the lore. Each review starts with the basics: how it smokes, how it tastes, whether it’s worth lighting up again or buying a box. Then, for those chasing the full story, we peel back the layers, deeper notes, subtleties, and the craft behind the leaf. At the end, we leave you with a little folklore to match the mood. Because around here, the smoke always carries a story.

Casual Take

This one feels like a quality smoke from the moment you light it. The draw is smooth and easy, and it puts out a good amount of creamy smoke. The flavor isn’t too strong or harsh, just nice and balanced. Think of it like a slightly sweet, toasty cigar with a bit of a kick now and then. It’s steady all the way through, which makes it an easy choice if you’re still figuring out what you like. Not too bold, not too plain. Just a solid, enjoyable cigar that makes you want to slow down and enjoy the moment.

Deep Burn

The Vanguard lights up with rich, roasted espresso and an immediate cocoa sweetness that leans into charred milk duds. Underneath it all, there’s a clean, earthy base with hints of rye bread and cedar. A gentle molasses sweetness builds in the background, balancing out light black pepper through the nose. The Medio Tiempo adds some hidden weight, delivering more depth than you’d expect from such a soft spoken cigar.Into the second third, the core holds steady. Sweet nuttiness, toasty grains, and that rich espresso vibe ride through smoothly. No huge transitions, just a steady hum of well blended tobacco. Retrohales bring in more spice, but never bite.Final third leans slightly more dry. The chocolate fades a bit, while roasted wood, pepper, and earth take over. Still, the smoke stays smooth and cool. No harshness, no unraveling. Just a quiet close to a cigar that knows what it’s doing.

The Heart of the Leaf

Vanguard is a reminder that sometimes quiet cigars speak the loudest. It’s not about shock or shifts. It’s about doing the basics exceptionally well. The balance of sweet and earthy, of spice and smoothness, makes this a cigar that feels intentional in every puff. If you're into cigars that keep a low profile but reward attention, this one is for you. A great showcase for what Griff & Dave can do. She earns an 8.5 "Tale Worthy" without question. And at the price they go for, I'd consider looking at a box.

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The Lore

The name Vanguard evokes leadership, the front line, the first to step into the unknown. But there’s something even older behind it. The way this cigar smokes, with its calm rhythm and unwavering steadiness, it calls back to the lore of quiet protectors and hidden strength. In Nordic folklore, there are tales of the Huldr, forest spirits who dwell unseen but guide and guard travelers who show respect. Not warriors in the usual sense, but watchful and wise, with a presence that lingers long after you leave the woods. This cigar has that same stillness. That same presence. You won’t be overwhelmed, but you won’t forget it either. Light it when you need a guide, not a battle.

The cigars in this review were purchased by me

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