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
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
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
La Opulencia received a 95-rating and was named the #2 Cigar of 2018. Make no mistake, this box pressed beauty is a full bodied smoke. However, it’s unusually creamy and smooth along the way without harshness.
Origin – Nicaragua
Fillers – Nicaraguan [Cuban seed tobaccos grown by the Garcia family]
Binders – Nicaraguan [one Corojo and one Criollo]
Wrapper Type – San Andres Oscuro
This four country blend edition produces a complex medium to full bodied flavor that some say is acquired taste. I’m sure if you’ve had them and enjoy them, another start or two is warranted. This stick is another effort by Kristoff to broaden the brand’s appeal to more smokers.
Origin – Dominican Republic
Filler – Dominican-Nicaraguan
Binder – Coming Soon!
Wrapper Type – Ecuador Sumatra
Joya De Nicaragua Black is one this iconic brand’s newer amazing selections.
When Black hit the scene in 2018, not only did it get a 93 rating, it was also named one of the top 25 cigars of the year! The addition of a dark and oily San Andreas Mexican wrapper made this medium bodied, slow burning stick a huge hit at a fairly friendly price.
With this in mind, it’s no surprise why so many seasoned smokers are rediscovering this time honored brand.
Check out all the other Joya De Nicaragua cigars available on The Cigar Thief HERE
Country of Origin: Nicaragua
Wrapper: Mexican San Andres Negro
Binder: Nicaragua
Filler: Nicaragua
Factory: Fabrica de Tabacos Joya de Nicaragua S.A.
Blender: Juan Martinez
Like its Original edition counterpart, this Maduro entry is another world class medium to full bodied cigar with just a bit more of a robust character while still remaining smooth to the finish.
Origin – Nicaragua
Filler – Nicaraguan
Binder – Nicaraguan
Wrapper – Ecuadorian grown Habano Maduro
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
It’s hard to believe it’s been a dozen years since this special cigar was launched. This solidly medium bodied cigars reputation speaks for itself with all facets of its being. The complex blend yields just enough of just about every taste characteristic in the spectrum with smoothness, strength, balance and spice to name a few. It was from this very stick’s concept that Tatuaje continued producing more editions for all our smoking enjoyment. Enjoy…BIG TIME!
Origin – Nicaragua
Filler – Nicaraguan
Binder – Nicaraguan
Wrapper Type – Nicaraguan Corojo
When Kristoff launched this beauty in 2012 it became one of Cigar Aficionado’s top 25 cigars of the year garnering a 93 rating. The Cuban seed tobaccos used in the cigar have been slowly fermented over a long period of time giving way to a medium bodied super smooth taste with a Cuban style character.
Origin – Dominican Republic
Filler – Dominican-Nicaraguan
Binder – Coming Soon!
Wrapper Type – Corojo
Joya De Nicaragua Cuatro Cinco was created in 2015 to celebrate the company’s 45th anniversary.
With attention to detail, the 5 year old tobaccos are stored in oak barrels and continue to age producing a complex, medium-full bodied smoke with amazing flavors. Giving it a respectable 92 rating, Cigar Aficionado’s description is short and sweet” Box-pressed with a full draw. The cigar starts sweet with hints of molasses that segue into spicier elements and big notes of hickory.”
With this in mind, it’s no surprise why so many seasoned smokers are rediscovering this time honored brand. Cuatro Cinco stick is still one of today’s true Luxury cigars.
See all the Drew Estate brands available on The Cigar Thief HERE
Wrapper: Nicaraguan Criollo
Binder: Dominican
Filler: Nicaraguan
Country of Origin: Nicaragua
Factory: Fábrica de Tabacos Joya de Nicaragua SA
