Initial Smoke 

What's not out of place are the flavors found at first light. Folded between sheets of leather and suede comes the taste of brown sugar caramelizing atop slices of toast, with a cedar-strong retrohale and a savory, medium amount of peppercorn spiciness pushing back. A nice start that does not hold back without going too hard.

1st Half

Deep within the beehive, a dark honey note takes center stage, drizzling its way across a plate of dried apricots. Tart, sweet, fruity, and tasting downright divine, these first third tastes and smells slowly begin to construct a primary profile for the rest of the flavors to follow. These consist of roasted cashew butter and a spicy, leathery finish that sits heavy upon retrohale. The overall profile of the cigar is a bit darker, richer, sweeter, and stronger than one might expect, and in my opinion, it is pretty close to being right on the money when it comes to balance.

Performance-wise, the draw is excellent, with the right amount of resistance and flow, and the light grey and white ash that forms is solidly built and pretty much flake-free. Body is medium, and so too is flavor, with strength residing in the mild-medium range.

2nd Half

Enter the heart of the cigar, and a superb roasted nuttiness that is more than just cashews comes forth. Creamy in texture and taste, the smoke sends out a love letter to fans of bread and honey, while a faintly floral second note saunters to the beat of its own drum. Peppercorn heat and flavor have died back, allowing the subtler savory sub-sectors of the smoke to show themselves. 

Rounding third and heading for home, a floral dryness begins to build, and with it comes a smack of nicotine. Raw, freshly split oak, semi-bitter caramelized sugar, and a jolt of cinnamon shake the senses. Time to pack it up and see what Mr. Gellis has in store for us parting puffs enthusiasts...

Parting Puffs

Truckloads of spice tingles, vanilla beans, and the rich roastiness of bags of cashews are all on the tasting table in the final section of the cigar. Round, medium-powered, and still somehow floral in nature, this balanced and rather cool closure to the smoke is a true blessing. 

Ash / Burn / Smoke / Draw

Not a single stray flake or burn complaint to be seen here, folks. A cool, slow burner from start to finish, Saunter is one of those slim cigars that never grows hot and manages to keep its composure the entire time. Ah, and let's not forget the excellent draw and the medium body to the smoke, which makes the blend feel bigger than it really is. 

Final Thoughts

All-star smoking experiences such as these are why we smoke in the first place. Not only is this blend an absolutely banger when it comes to construction and burn, but it has a great backstory and (for the most part) outstanding packaging. 

The flavors and aromas of the cigar are undeniably more round and deep than the average Connecticut shade cigar, and there's just enough peppery spice to keep things interesting on retrohale. What an incredibly aromatic and elegantly assembled combo this is, too, with roasted cashews, apricots, and honey being the ringleaders.

All combined, that makes Saunter one of the best "sleeper smokes" in the Klaro Cigars collection, and earns it a must-try review recommendation for anyone wanting something above mild but not maduro dark either.