Cigar of the year twice beating out every cigar including every Cuban entry. Box pressed, medium-full bodied gem. Get them when we have them so when we don’t, you do! Enough said!
Origin – Nicaragua
Filler – Nicaraguan
Binder – Nicaraguan
Wrapper Type – Ecuador Sumatra
Padron 1964 Anniversary Series Maduro is one of the most sought after cigars worldwide.
For starters, the Anniversary Series Maduro cigar rates a 94 with Cigar Aficionado. It’s a dark, box-pressed smoke with a perfect draw. This amazing cigar has complex flavors including nuts and toast, with hints of sweetness. The four year old tobacco creates a smooth and complex flavor. What more do you need to know?
No matter what size or style, Padrons medium to full bodied smokes are always consistently perfect in every way. With a Smooth draw, large volume of smoke and robust taste that increases in intensity along the way, it’s no wonder this company’s products are always difficult to find. Very Expensive and worth every penny.
Country of Origin: Nicaragua
Factory: Tabacos Cubanica S.A.
Wrapper: Nicaraguan Maduro
Binder: Nicaragua
Filler: Nicaragua
Check out all the Padron Cigars available on The Cigar Thief HERE
I’ve often said that you can’t get a better blended cigar of this kind at a better price. The Dominican longleaf fillers and binder encased in a blond Connecticut shade wrapper yields a smooth, mellow to slightly medium bodied, creamy flavor that has been a consistent signature of this stick since 1996. Try a five pack of Churchills and you’ll see what I mean.
Origin – Dominican Republic
Filler – Dominican
Binder – Dominican
Wrapper Type – Connecticut
Factory Smokes Maduro is one of four of Drew Estate’s entries into the ever growing handmade Budget-Value category for all of us to enjoy for under $2 a stick!
With attention to detail, all Factory Smokes are made by hand. The big difference is the tobacco inside is made up of mixed fillers available at the factory. To put it another way, these leaves are the same crop used in their premiums! And on top of this, Factory smokes were created by Master Blenders Willie Herrera and Jonathon Drew himself!
This darkly wrapped beauties are medium bodied in taste with hints of dark chocolate and espresso. They have a great draw like the others and burn well.
Check out the other three blends of Factory Smokes available on The Cigar Thief HERE
Country of Origin: Nicaragua
Wrapper: Nicaraguan Maduro
Binder: Indonesia
Filler: Indonesia
Factory: La Gran Fabrica Drew Estate
Blenders: Willy Herrera, Jonathan Drew
As you would expect, this amazing edition got rated 97 and become the 2nd of the top 25 cigars in 2015 beating out a bunch of Cuban competitors. With that said, this stick is remarkably complex yielding a medium to very full bodied taste that gains a noticeable intensity as you move along. If you’re a My Father’s fan, it’s a must try. If you’re new to the fold, try a five pack of the perfectly made Box Pressed Torpedos and prepare to see God!
Origin – Nicaragua
Filler – Nicaraguan
Binder – Nicaraguan
Wrapper Type – Habano Oscuro
Like it’s (Blue) Connecticut edition sister, this dark version is not to be feared! While the Broadleaf wrapper used on this well made stick ups the needle on the flavor meter into the medium bodied range, it still remains smooth with a tiny bit of very mild spice. If you have the the whole day to kill smoking one cigar, get a five pack of [8×70] Tycoons!
Origin – Dominican Republic
Filler – Dominican Republic
Binder – Dominican Republic
Wrapper Type – Connecticut Broadleaf
Origin – Dominican Republic Filler – Dominican and Nicaraguan Binder – Ecuadorian Sumatra Wrapper Type – Cameroon Africa
When you have a chance, click on the “Ask Richie” icon on the upper part of the screen and read my “Bundles of Joy” submission. You’ll then understand how important the valued priced bundle category has been to both cigar makers and lovers.
This edition is one of the best Cuban styled full flavor smokes available for the price. It’s well made with a great draw yielding a robustly satisfying smoking experience across the board.
Origin – Dominican Republic
Filler – Dominican
Binder – Dominican
Wrapper Type – Sumatra
Cuban-seed Criollo 98 and Corojo 99 dominant and bursting with spice, earth and a touch of sweetness, Rare Leaf utilizes tobaccos which are selected from special lots grown on Aganorsa’s best farms.
Wrapper: Nicaragua (Jalapa)
Binder: Nicaragua Dual Binder – Criollo 98 from two different fincas
Filler: Nicaragua (Corojo 99 & Criollo 98)
When Drew Estate launched Liga Undercrown Maduro back in 2017 not only did it get a 91 rating, it was placed in the top 25 cigars of that year. Those of us that have enjoyed the coveted, super exclusive Liga Privada brand over the years looked twice! Not only is this fantastic cigar made in the image of Liga Privada, it uses some of their signature blends blends as well.
This well balanced medium to full bodied beauty is a superb smoke that’s actually available available to us all in ample supply. The amazing Flying Pig is a top pick…..when we have them! Get your favorite whiskey, bourbon, beer or wine in hand and get ready for a superb smoking experience!
Country of Origin: Nicaragua
Wrapper: Otapan Negro Ultimo Corte
Binder: T52 Connecticut River Valley Stalk Cut & Cured Habano
Fillers: Brazilian Mata Fina, Nicaraguan Cuban Seed
Blender: Willy Herrera
After the huge success of Tabernacle’s original entry, Foundation’s owner put on his mad scientist, Master Blender hat and went to work. With this edition, the wrapper was spawned from a combination of Cuban seed and Connecticut seed tobaccos encasing Nicaraguan and Honduran filler leaves with a San Andreas Mexican binder. The result is a smooth and balanced medium to full bodied stick that slowly increases in intensity as you move along with a pleasant sweetness that’s not overpowering.
Origin – Dominican Republic
Filler – Honduran – Nicaraguan
Binder – Mexican
Wrapper Type – Connecticut
La Vieja Habana Maduro is another one of Drew Estate’s masterpieces that are totally affordable for everyone to enjoy! Believe it or not, La Vieja Habana was Drew Estate’s first brand! Handmade from the quality leaf left over from the manufacture of Drew Estate’s premium cigar brands, the La Vieja Habana is an exceptional smoking value. This tripa mezclado cigar consistently delivers a great flavor with an excellent draw and burn.
The toothy, oily and dark Brazilian wrapper covers mixed filler tobaccos from Estelí and Jalapa Valley in Nicaragua. This cigar is medium bodied with rich flavors and lots of character with hints of chocolate and coffee. The La Vieja Maduro leaves you with a slightly sweet aftertaste that would have you craving for more. Great after a hearty steak with your favorite scotch.
But Beware! Due to the popularity of these these cigars, they are in and out of stock frequently. So if you’re looking for an affordable, hand made smoke that can be enjoyed everyday, pick one we have and enjoy!
Check out the other styles of La Vieja Habana available on The Cigar Thief HERE
Origin – Nicaragua
Filler – Nicaraguan
Binder – Nicaraguan
Wrapper Type – Brazilian Maduro
There’s a reason why this brand has been around forever. They’re very good cigars! The intricate three country blend has remained eerily consistent over decades. This mellow to medium bodied stick draws well, burns perfectly and has a smooth finish. What it lacks in marketing sizzle it more than makes up for in substance and character.
Origin – Honduras
Filler – Honduran-Nicaraguan
Binder – Nicaraguan
Wrapper Type – Ecuadorian Connecticut shade wrapper
The name of this amazing edition is a shout out to a historic tree and its surrounding land in the Connecticut valley where Native American Indians would gather to grow their own smoking tobacco. And there’s your history lesson for today! Foundation owner’s love for his home state and the amazing leaves he grows is combined with a vintage blend of Nicaraguan and Indonesian inners producing an amazing cigar. This 93 rated stick yields a smooth, creamy, mild to slightly medium bodied flavor that’s complex and wonderful! The old school uncut foot is a nice touch as well.
Origin – Nicaragua
Filler – Nicaraguan
Binder – Sumatra
Wrapper Type – Ecuador Connecticut
Rated 96 and named Cigar of the Year in 2012 beating out every other cigar including all the Cuban entries. Medium-full bodied. Amazing. Enough said.
Country of Origin: Nicaragua
Factory: My Father Cigars S.A.
Wrapper: Nicaraguan Sun Grown
Binder: Nicaragua
Filler: Nicaragua
When Master Blender Willy Herrera teamed up with Jonathan Drew (Drew Estate) it caught everyone’s attention. As this first Habano edition hit the street receiving an incredible 93 rating along with placing #8 in the top 25 cigars of the year, we all knew a new level of cigar making had begun.
This amazing blend is a super smooth, medium bodied, perfectly made cigar with an ample draw. Its slow burn is balanced with a complex taste that slightly increases in intensity as you move along. Only as it comes to a close do you experience a robust full bodied taste reminiscent of Cuban made powerhouses.
Country of Origin: Nicaragua
Wrapper: Ecuadorian Habano
Binder: Honduras
Filler: Nicaragua
Factory: La Gran Fabrica Drew Estate
Blender:Willy Herrera
This is a cigar like no other. The tobacco used is cured in barns that burn hardwoods like oak and maple to infuse a totally unique flavor into the leaves. This original edition started the brand and is pleasantly medium bodied.
With attention to detail, the blend features Kentucky seed tobacco, grown and fire cured in Kentucky, along with Nicaraguan and Brazilian fillers. The cigar is then wrapped with a Mexican San Andres wrapper to round out the flavor profile.
The result is a smoking experience that is totally unique in the world of premium cigars.
Muwat Original is of of this iconic company’s most unique entries.
In case you’re wondering, MUWAT is short for My Uzi Weighs a Ton! The MUWAT story began on the very first final consumer blending session at the Joya de Nicaragua factory in late 2010 during. This amazingly popular blend includes a San Andreas Negro Wrapper, Ecuadorian Connecticut Shade Binder and a hearty Brazilian Mata Fina Filler, coupled with Nicaraguan fillers provided by Joya. After months of attempts the final blend proved to be rich and earthy, with a bright, sweet undertone.
The bottom line is that MUWAT has been enjoyed by countless smokers for over a dozen years. If you’re a fan of complexly crafted cigars, this one is definitely for you.
Check out the review for the original blend of this terrific cigar. This is more of the same with a hint of sweetness
Origin – Nicaragua
Filler – Kentucky Fire-Cured-Nicaraguan
Binder – Connecticut Broadleaf
Wrapper – San Andres
The Cusano family sold their company to the folks at Davidoff some years ago. This value priced cigar is probably one of the best sticks available for under $3! This is a mild to medium bodied smoke that’s worth far more than its price!
Origin – Dominican Republic
Filler – Dominican
Binder – Connecticut
Wrapper Type – Ecuador Connecticut
First off this brand is produced by Davidoff. This value priced cigar is one of America’s top sellers. Why? It’s mild, consistent and affordable. Baccarat is an everyday smoke for countless smokers throughout the country. I recommend a five pack of very cool burning Lanceros and you’ll see what I mean. The bonus is that if you age them for at least six months they get better!
Origin – Honduras
Filler – Honduran
Binder – Mexican
Wrapper Type – Connecticut Broadleaf
The Camacho website introduces the Connecticut by stating, “This is one Camacho smoke that doesn’t kick in the door. It knocks. And enters with a mild, smooth taste.” With that being said, as the high ratings came in, the industry knew this cigar was a winner. Without a doubt, this well made cigar is not your father’s Connecticut. When the highly critical folks at Cigar Dojo rated it a 90, they described it best, “The Connecticut begins with notes of spice that grows the further you go along. It’s the same bold flavor I have come to expect from Camacho, sans the heaviness you get from stronger blends. The blend of Dominican and Honduran tobaccos brought out the spice but with hints of sweetness not found in other Camachos.”
Wrapper: Ecuadorian Grown Connecticut
Binder: Corojo (Camacho’s original Cuban seed)
Filler: Generoso, Aleman Ligero
Factory: Agroindustrias Laepe S.A. (Honduras)
After years of planning the first original style San Cristobal was launched in 2007. Crafted by famed Master Blender Jose “Don Pepin” Garcia along with the owners of the Ashton brand. The Quintessence style is a solid medium to full bodied smoke that received a Top 25 status in 2018 when it was introduced along with a 92 rating. When it was revisited in 2022 this cigar was elevated to a 95! It seems as though the Quintessence gets even better as time passes.
Country of Origin: Nicaragua
Factory: My Father Cigars S.A.
Wrapper: Ecuadorian Habano
Binder: Nicaragua
Filler: Nicaragua
The Host Selection has served as the benchmark of mild to mellow bodied cigars over decades. The simple addition of a Broadleaf wrapper raises the needle on the flavor meter into the medium rage while remaining smooth. Many folks that enjoy its Natural counterpart like the bit of boost in taste this Maduro offers while retaining the same basic character of the Original.
Origin – Honduras
Filler – Honduran
Binder – Honduran
Wrapper Type – Connecticut Broadleaf
When you get a chance, click the “Ask Richie” icon at the upper left-hand part of the screen above and read the “Bundles of Joy” submission. Value priced cigars have become big business for most of the manufacturers. These low cost, hand made premiums have been welcomed by countless smokers as everyday guilt-free enjoyment. My Fathers Cigars have become major players over the last several years producing some of the most popular, highest rated entries ever. If you’re wondering how such a Super Premium company can turn out a great stick for under $3, the first answer is short filler tobacco. Hence, the “SF”. These Nicaraguan puros won’t be around forever. They’re medium-bodied and smooth smoking with a bit of spice and………they even come in a box! Enjoy!
Origin – Nicaragua
Filler – Nicaragua
Binder – Nicaragua
Wrapper Type – Nicaragua
The first thing I can say about this brand is that it is still one of the most underappreciated mild to mellow bodied cigars available. It’s four country blend is smooth, balanced and pleasantly tasting with a wonderful aroma from it’s large volume of smoke. They draw great and are made well to boot!
Origin – Dominican Republic
Filler – Colombian-Dominican-Honduran
Binder – Honduran
Wrapper Type – Ecuador Connecticut
In the six years since this edition was released, it’s gained more and more fans. After a slow start this stick was just rated 92 and achieved a top 25 cigar status in 2020. This was no surprise to those of us that have been enjoying it over the years. Unlike many of the company’s stronger entries, this stick is medium bodied and very user friendly. With the just the right amount of sweetness, tobacco taste, slight spice and strength, many new smokers found a favorite. Pick your favorite size and grab a five pack. This is thoroughly enjoyable smoking experience!
Origin – Nicaragua
Filler – Nicaraguan
Binder – Corojo
Wrapper Type – Ecuador Habano
Just in case you didn’t know, Undercrown is made in the image of the coveted limited production Liga Privada line from Drew Estate. The company describes it as follows. “Incorporating many of the same rare tobaccos of different vintages and primings, this cigar is no mere replacement.”
Those smokers that felt the Undercrown maduro was a bit too strong will absolutely love this Shade edition. The most compelling evidence is the great reviews. Halfwheel @ 90. Blind Man’s Puff @ 93 and Stogie Press @ an astounding 95! And this is just a few! One taster says it best.“Want a smoke that’ll blow your pants off with delicious medium bodied notes of vanilla wafers and pancakes, pick this one up now!” What more would you like to know? This Undercrown is another winner for sure.
Country of Origin: Nicaragua
Wrapper: Ecuadorian Connecticut Shade
Binder: Sumatra
Filler: Dominican Republic, Nicaragua
Factory: La Gran Fabrica Drew Estate
Blender: Willy Herrera
The Maduro and Sun Grown versions offer more medium to full bodied flavor and are equally wonderful!
La Vieja Habana Corojo is another one of Drew Estate’s masterpieces that are totally affordable for everyone to enjoy!
Believe it or not, La Vieja Habana was Drew Estate’s first brand! Handmade from the quality leaf left over from the manufacture of Drew Estate’s premium cigar brands, the La Vieja Habana is an exceptional smoking value. This tripa mezclado cigar consistently delivers a great flavor with an excellent draw and burn.
This cigar combines a beautiful Cuban Corojo wrapper with filler tobaccos from Estelí and the Jalapa Valley in Nicaragua. Like the other styles, it is a mixed filler cigar with a premium wrapper. Medium bodied with lots of flavors, it has an earthy taste with hints of spice and a pleasant aroma.
But Beware! Due to the popularity of these these cigars, they are in and out of stock frequently. So if you’re looking for an affordable, hand made smoke that can be enjoyed everyday, pick one we have and enjoy!
Check out the other styles of La Vieja Habana available on The Cigar Thief HERE
Origin – Nicaragua
Filler – Nicaraguan
Binder – Nicaraguan
Wrapper Type – Cuban Corojo Seed
Isla Del Sol is another masterpiece from Drew Estate. This hand made Nicaraguan and Sumatran beauty is priced literally so everyone can enjoy them. You’ll notice a bit of sweetness when your tongue touches the cap and a hit of infused coffee/cocoa beans throughout. Depending on your taste this cigar steers toward the mild to slightly medium spectrum.
One thing that will not disappoint is the fine construction and aromatic smoke production, the latter of which Drew Estate has definitely mastered. These totally affordable well made cigars are smartly packaged and adorned with tobacco leaves inside.
Origin – Nicaragua
Filler – Nicaraguan
Binder – Nicaraguan
Wrapper – Sun Grown Sumatra
Factory Smokes Sungrown is one of four of Drew Estate’s entries into the ever growing handmade Budget-Value category for all of us to enjoy for under $2 a stick!
With attention to detail, all Factory Smokes are made by hand. The big difference is the tobacco inside is made up of mixed fillers available at the factory. To put it another way, these leaves are the same crop used in their premiums! And on top of this, Factory smokes were created by Master Blenders Willie Herrera and Jonathon Drew himself!
A point often overlooked is that bundled cigars are rarely review and rated. But it’s no surprise that many critics were duly impressed. With this in mind, here’s what some had to say about Factory Smokes Sungrown:
Smooth burn/Clean finish/Notes of cedar and spice/Good draw/No sour or bitter tastes/Great taste/
Notes of cream, natural tobacco, and sweet woodsy nuances
You be the judge. But without a doubt, these cigars are worth more than their price for sure!
Country of Origin: Nicaragua
Wrapper: Habano Sungrown
Binder: Indonesia
Filler: Indonesia
Factory: La Gran Fabrica Drew Estate
Blenders: Willy Herrera, Jonathan Drew
Davidoff Small Batch cigars are considered one of the company’s most exclusive creations.
Discover the exquisite taste of these spectacular limited edition cigars. With attention to detail, Davidoff handcrafted these with the utmost precision and expertise. These exclusive vitolas offer the connoisseur a truly unique smoking experience. Explore the finest tobacco blends, meticulously selected for their exceptional quality. Indulge in the luxury of these sought-after cigars, available while we have them. Order these cigars today and elevate your smoking pleasure to new heights. Limited stock, so don’t miss out.
Small Batch No. 3: Is draped in an Ecuadoran cover leaf and contains a Mexican binder and Dominican filler.
Small Batch No. 7: Is wrapped in a cover leaf from Ecuador over Dominican binder and filler.
Small Batch No. 11: It’s a three-country blend made with a wrapper from Ecuador, a Dominican binder and filler from Nicaragua and the Dominican Republic.
What is it about Warped Futuro? As the story goes, Eduardo Fernandez created Fernandez Aganorsa farms in 1998 to produce the finest cigar tobacco in the world along with the most talented growers from Cuba. Warped Futuro came to market in 2016 as a collaboration of Eduardo and Warp’s young founder. This edition’s intricate blend of 1998 Criollo and 1999 Corojo long leaf fillers encased in a 1999 Corojo wrapper represents Aganorsa rarest and finest vintage tobacco. The rarely applied tri-seamed cap is another testament to the attention paid in making this spicy and creamy medium to full bodied jewel.
Country of Origin: Nicaragua
Wrapper: Nicaraguan Corojo ‘99
Binder: Nicaraguan Criollo ’98 and Corojo ‘99
Filler: Nicaraguan Criollo ‘98
Factory: TABSA
Blender: Kyle Gellis and Max Fernandez
This is a strong, robust, full bodied, Cuban style cigar. Buckle Up!
Wrapper: Nicaraguan Habano
Binder: Nicaragua
Filler: Nicaragua Corojo ’99 and Criollo ’98
When this Habano edition was launched in 2017, it got serious notice as the Gordo size garnered a 91 rating. Venturing out of the mild to mellow flavor zone, this stick wandered into the solid medium body relm. What caught everyone by surprise that it’s Cuban style taste was tempered by the traditional Nat Sherman smoothness. A perfect draw gives way to a huge volume of aromatic smoke.
Origin – Nicaragua
Filler – Nicaraguan
Binder – Nicaraguan
Wrapper Type – Nicaraguan
This Nicaraguan puro JJ edition is a collaboration of Garcia and his son. In order to make them exactly the way they wanted, production is tightly supervised at their Miami facility. The vintage Corojo and Criollo tobaccos yield a full body flavored cigar with a distinct mix of sweet and spicy tastes.
Country of Origin: Nicaragua
Factory: My Father Cigars S.A.
Wrapper: Nicaragua
Binder: Nicaragua
Filler: Nicaragua (Corojo & Criollo)
Kristoff produces an extensive line of highly rated cigars. What sets their Connecticut aside from other top quality mild tasting cigars is that the four different Dominican leaves making up the filler actually gives this smoke a full flavored mild taste! Hard to explain I guess. Yes, it’s mild but it’s smoothness is unmatched.
Origin – Dominican Republic
Filler – Dominican
Binder – Nicaraguan
Wrapper Type – Ecuador Connecticut
Nica Rustica Broadleaf is another great brand from Drew Estate that came to market in 2013. Worth noting is that this cigar was blended by Master Blender Willie Herrera himself! The bonus for all of us is the affordable price.
This Original Nica Rustica entry is a medium to full strength cigar blended to showcase native Nicaraguan tobaccos from Esteli and Jalapa. Aficionados will enjoy this rustic smoke that is robust and deeply satisfying. Genuine Connecticut Broadleaf encases Nica Rustica and imparts a subtle natural tobacco sweetness and spice. The Robusto is a top pick for around $4.00!
Check out all Nica Rusticas available on The Cigar Thief HERE
Country of Origin: Nicaragua
Wrapper: Connecticut Broadleaf Maduro
Binder: Mexican San Andres Negro
Filler: Nicaragua (Esteli and Jalapa)
Blender: Jonathan Drew and Willy Herrera
Kentucky Fire Cured Swamp Thang is perfect for fans of both Fire Cured and Candela tobaccos. Pairing this deliciously sweet green candela wrapper with the smoky & tasty Kentucky Fire Cured tobaccos creates a uniquely balanced, complex and savory cigar.Yes! You have two wrappers on this cigar!
Wrapper: Dominican Candela plus Kentucky Fire-Cured
Binder: Undisclosed
Filler: Undisclosed
Factory: Joya de Nicaragua (Nicaragua)
Factory Smokes Shade is one of four of Drew Estate’s entries into the ever growing handmade Budget-Value category for all of us to enjoy for under $2 a stick! Jonathan Drew’s creation of Drew Estate started a revolution of amazing cigars. From Acid to Liga Privada , Undercrown and beyond. No matter which Premium or Super Premium brand he produced we knew one thing, we got what we paid for.
This Shade entry offers those of us that enjoy smooth tasting mild to medium bodied cigars an everyday choice. Blind Man’s Puff gave this cigar a 90 rating! And on top of this, Factory smokes were created by Master Blenders Willie Herrera and Jonathon Drew himself! What more do you need to know?
Check out the other three blends on Factory Smoke available on The Cigar Thief HERE
Country of Origin: Nicaragua
Wrapper: Ecuadorian Connecticut Shade
Binder: Indonesia
Filler: Indonesia
Factory: La Gran Fabrica Drew Estate
Blenders: Willy Herrera, Jonathan Drew
Ok, I’m sticking my neck out here. I think this is one of the absolute best cigars you can buy for the price. Oddly enough, this edition has been flying under the radar for over 15 years. Since it’s been available, I’ve emphatically recommended it more times than I can remember. Davidoff acquired the Cusano brand many years ago and performed magic with the brand. All you need to know is that every component in these cigars has been seriously aged up to 18 years. The result of this true luxury blend is a spectacularly tasty, rich and flavorful mellow to medium flavored jewel with a great draw and a perfect burn. Try a five pack when we have them and see for yourself.
Origin – Dominican Republic
Filler – Dominican
Binder – Dominican
Wrapper Type – Connecticut Broadleaf
Wrapper: Honduran Corojo (5th Priming)
Binder: Honduran Corojo
Filler: Honduran Corojo | Pennsylvania Broadleaf
Factory: Diadema Cigars de Honduras, S.A. (Honduras)
Romeo y Julieta Aniversario is a very, very special cigar to say the least.
You’re definitely a serious shopper if you’re looking at this amazing cigar. In 2003, Altadis reached out to Master Blender Jose Seijas who is a veritable icon of the industry for over 40 years. With attention to detail, his skillful multi country blend of long fillers is encased in a dark Ecuadorian Sumatra seed wrapper. Without a doubt this produces an amazingly complex, smooth tasting medium bodied cigar. While this masterpiece took a while to get passed around, it’s eventual 92 rating is a testament of Seijas’ ability to give smokers a truly great experience.
Just so you know, along with the high score, Cigar Aficionado placed this great cigar in the top 25 of the year. If you want to see what has been pleasing discerning smokers for over twenty years, this Romeo has to be in your humidor today. Hands down!
Origin – Dominican Republic
Filler – Dominican-Nicaraguan-Peruvian
Binder – USA Connecticut Broadleaf
Wrapper – Ecuadorian Sumatra
See all the Romeo y Julieta cigars available at The Cigar Thief HERE
Montecristo Monte by AJ Fernandez is another fantastic collaboration between Master Blender A J Fernandez and this iconic brand. This is the fourth cigar blended and rolled by Fernández for Altadis U.S.A.
With attention to detail, this creation contains vintage Dominican piloto cubano and criollo 98 fillers along with a prime Nicaraguan corojo 98 binder. And encasing all this is a 17-year-old Ecuadorian Habano wrapper. How’s that for complexity and craftsmanship! Without doubt the blend yields a balanced, smooth medium-full bodied flavor. To say the least, this dark, box pressed cigar is perfectly made with an exceptional draw.
When renowned industry reviewer Katman rated it at 95, his description of this flavor bomb is spot on. ” This may just be the maltiest blend I’ve smoked. In addition, flavors of chocolate, caramel, creaminess, red pepper, dried fruit, roasted nuts, cedar, and toasted buttered French bread make this cigar a winner.”
If you consider yourself a fan of Montecristo and AJ Fernandez, this one must be in your humidor for sure!
Country of Origin: Nicaragua
Wrapper: Ecuadorian Habano
Binder: Nicaraguan Corojo 98
Filler: Nicaraguan Criollo 98, Dominican Republic Piloto Cubano
Factory: Tabacalera Fernandez S.A.
Blender: AJ Fernandez
See all the Montecristo cigars available on The Cigar Thief HERE
Without doubt, Montecristo Espada is one of this iconic company’s best cigars ever!
The Spanish lesson for today is: Espada means sword. When the Espada appeared garnering a 92 rating and becoming one of the top 25 cigars of the year we all knew it was worth the price. What must be remembered is Espada is made in Nicaragua at Plasencia Cigars and is a collaboration between Plasencia and the Altadis blending team, Grupo de Maestros.
With attention to detail, the very rare wrapper from 2010 encases vintage Nicaraguan filler and binder tobacco from three prized growing regions. In fact, the filler and binder leaves are even older! The result is a medium bodied purebred with an interesting combination of sweetness and spice thats creamy and balanced. Cigar Aficionado describes this amazing smoke perfectly. “An exceptional smoke offering the spice of a gingersnap with touches of cinnamon that build to a sweet, spicy finish.”
It’s no surprise Espada has been pleasing cigar smokers for almost a decade and is still going strong.
Wrapper: Nicaraguan Habano (Jalapa) Vintage 2010
Binder: Nicaraguan Habano (Jalapa) Vintage 2009
Filler: Nicaraguan Habano (Jalapa) Seco Vintage 2008, Nicaraguan Habano (Jalapa) Viso Ometepe Vintage 2008, Nicaraguan Habano (Condega) Ligero Vintage 2008
This is probably one of the best full bodied cigars you’ve never heard of. This 90 rated stick has been flying under the radar for over six years. What sets this Nicaraguan puro aside from many others is the characteristic of its blend, Soon after lighting up it hits you with a robust burst of flavor that begins to settle down with a bit of sweetness as you move along then ramps back up again. This is a very very flavorful cigar with a great aroma.
Origin – Nicaraguan
Filler – Nicaraguan
Binder – Nicaraguan
Wrapper Type – Nicaraguan
When Altadis, the cigar giant thats brings us Monte Cristo, Romeo and Upmann….to name a few decided to create a value priced entry they didn’t take any shortcuts. These handmade sticks use Dominican tobaccos across the board with a bit of Honduran binder giving it a mild to medium bodied taste that’s smooth and mellow. The Connecticut Shade dark Maduro wrapper is a rarity in the budget friendly category. It gives this particular cigar a more robust taste without increasing its overall strength Enjoy!
Origin – Dominican Republic
Filler – Dominican-Honduran
Binder – Connecticut Broadleaf
Wrapper Type – Connecticut Broadleaf
