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
Tabak Especial Dulce the original coffee infused premium cigar. The underlying taste of roasted coffee beans combined with a unique blend of tobacco produces a very enjoyable medium bodied smoke. Needless to say, it’s great with a cup of espresso! Enjoy!
Origin – Nicaragua
Filler – Nicaraguan
Binder – Nicaraguan
Wrapper Type – Connecticut Broadleaf
*These items cannot be shipped to Massachusetts state addresses
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
Isla Del Sol Maduro is another masterpiece from Drew Estate.
As found with the Original Sungrown blend, this darkly encased edition offers an enjoyable smoke with hints of infused coffee/cocoa beans. The big difference is the oily maduro wrapper which gives way to a smooth medium bodied taste. The bonus is that this one is priced right for all of us to enjoy as well.
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.
Filler – Nicaraguan
Binder – Nicaraguan
Wrapper Type – Maduro
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 medium bodied smokes available for the price. It’s well made with a great draw yielding a smooth, satisfying smoking experience across the board.
Origin – Dominican Republic
Filler – Dominican
Binder – Connecticut
Wrapper Type – Cameroon
I have to admit that the rarely made Short Torpedo size is one of my go to cigars.
A year after the Synchro line arrived, Davidoff wrapped the unique blend of fillers and binder with a Habano 2000 wrapper ramping up its predecessors medium bodied taste to the medium-full bodied scale. If you enjoy the the first Synchro, the Fogata gives you more!
Origin – Dominican Republic
Filler – Dominican-Nicaraguan
Binder – Mexican
Wrapper Type – Habana 2000
Don Diego cigars have been around forever. This amazingly consistent cigar often gets lost in a sea of new entries. It is probably one of the mildest , smoothest and mellowist smokes in existence. The prefect Connecticut Shade wrapper is your first sign of how special this cigar is. The bit of Nicaraguan filler combined with selected Dominican leaves from the top of the plant yields a perfectly balanced smoke. Want mild with character…….Don Diego is it!
Origin – Dominican Republic
Filler – Dominican-Nicaraguan
Binder – Dominican
Wrapper Type – Connecticut Shade
This edition is yet another accomplishment of Casa Fernandez’s unique ability to continue crafting intricate blends appealing to every smokers desires and specific taste preferences.
This beautifully made medium to slightly full bodied cigar delivers lots of aromatic smoke and a mouthful of intense spice, espresso, and even more peppery flavors. Oddly enough, there’s a pleasant sweetness towards the finish. Like spice? This is the one!
Wrapper: Nicaraguan Aganorsa Corojo
Binder: Nicaraguan
Filler: Nicaraguan
This very interesting edition launched in 2018. It’s unique undertones of coffee and hazelnut yields a smooth smoking medium to full bodied taste that caught a lot of us by surprise. I recommend a five pack of Rothschilds. Origin – Nicaragua Filler – Nicaraguan Binder – Nicaraguan Wrapper Type – Nicaraguan Corojo
It’s been said that this original edition of the series is an “acquired taste”. Yes, it was rated 93 and generally described as a very good medium bodied stick. And yes, it utilized a vintage blend of Nicaraguan long fillers and binder combined with a Corojo wrapper from 2006. While some folks felt it wasn’t strong enough, others said it was just right. As I’ve always said, taste is a personal preference.
Country of Origin: Nicaragua
Wrapper: Nicaraguan Corojo
Binder: Nicaragua
Filler: Nicaragua
Factory: Tabacos Valle de Jalapa S.A. (TABSA)
Blender: Eduardo Fernandez
Don’t be afraid of the dark! This edition is probably one of the best examples of why Ernesto Carrillo is the Master Blender he is.
Achieving a 92 rating and placing in the top 25 cigars of 2017 was well deserved. This super slow burning edition is jammed pack with tobacco and yields a smooth, creamy and slightly sweet medium to full bodied flavor that is balanced and can be enjoyed by everyone.
Origin – Dominican Republic
Filler – Nicaragua
Binder – Ecuadorian
Wrapper Type – Connecticut Broadleaf
You enjoy smooth and creamy, mild to medium bodied cigars and want to see why everyone loves Ernesto Carrillo. Bingo! You found it! This sticks great aroma and ample draw will allow you to experience a refined, balanced and slightly sweet tobacco taste that has become one of this Master Blenders great offerings to many smokers with taste preferences like you!
Origin – Dominican Republic
Filler – Dominican – Nicaraguan
Binder – Nicaraguan
Wrapper Type – Ecuador Connecticut
This cigar is probably one of the best examples of Just how smart Founder Robert Johnson is. The Miami edition represents some of the best Master Blending skills that famed cigar maker Don Pepin Garcia offers. We’ve often heard about “Cuban Seed” tobacco. As good as that crop generally is, as the seeds continue to get replicated, they lose some of their original growing traits. Rarely are first generation seeds of this calibre found and used and that’s exactly what has made this stick so highly coveted. Yes, this is a medium-full bodied smoke that’s uniquely complex as we’ve come to expect from Tatuaje. But this one offers an unduplicated taste that stands alone. Get them when we have them. They’re worth more than they cost. Enjoy…BIG TIME!
Origin – United States
Filler – Nicaraguan
Binder – Nicaraguan
Wrapper Type – Ecuador Habano – Oscuro
Since its launch in 2003, Pete Johnson’s Tatuaje cigar portfolio has grown to include more than 20 brands—both in regular and limited production and has grown from unknown status to one of the cigar industry’s highly rated and sought-after boutique cigar brands. Johnson himself has also evolved from an unknown newcomer to visionary and respected industry entrepreneur.
The Cabaiguan brand has been made for Johnson by the Garcia family since 2006, first in Miami and later in Nicaragua where it is produced today. While Pete’s sticks usually range from solidly medium to full bodied in taste, this 92 rated pigtailed edition’s strength sits squarely in the middle on the medium spot. It’s smooth and balanced with an enjoyable mix of sweetness and spice that’s not overpowering to it’s finish. This blend attracted and introduced many new smokers into the Tatuaje fold.
Origin – Nicaragua
Filler – Nicaraguan
Binder – Nicaraguan
Wrapper Type – Connecticut Broadleaf – Ecuador Connecticut
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 line was launched in 2014 it was a well received departure from the medium-full bodied blends the company was we known for. The Connecticut landed squarely in the mild to mellow zone gaining many, many new smokers into the My Father fold. The noted addition of a 15 year old Nicaraguan Corojo binder gave this stick a unique taste offering folks that enjoyed milder cigars a thoroughly enjoyable experience unlike what they were accustomed to.
Country of Origin: Nicaragua
Wrapper: Ecuadorian Connecticut
Binder: Nicaraguan Corojo 99
Filler: Nicaraguan Habano and Criollo
Factory: My Father Cigar Factory
Blender: Jose “Pepin” Garcia and Jaime Garcia
Tabak Especial Negra is one of the original Coffee infused premium cigars. The underlying taste of roasted coffee beans combined with a unique blend of tobacco produces a very enjoyable medium bodied smoke. Negra’s darker wrapper gives this stick a bit more of robust flavor over the original Dulce. Needless to say, it’s great with a cup of espresso! Enjoy!
Origin – Nicaragua
Filler – Nicaraguan
Binder – Nicaraguan
Wrapper Type – Maduro Connecticut Broadleaf
Shipping Restrictions:
These items cannot be shipped to Massachusetts state addresses
Believe it or not, La Vieja Habana was Drew Estate’s first brand! This great mixed filler value priced line is affordable to everyone!
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 Connecticut edition mixed filler cigar has a blend of Nicaraguan Tobaccos from the Jalapa Valley and Estelí and covered by a pristine Connecticut shade wrapper. It is mild and smooth with hints of coffee and a short finish that leaves with a nutty aftertaste. This creamy smoke makes for an excellent morning cigar, especially if paired with a steamy latte.
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
Joya De Nicaragua Red is the first of this iconic brand’s amazing newer selections.
In 2015 Joya De Nicaragua began reinventing itself by reaching out to appeal to more smokers. This highly rated Red edition showed smokers they were on the right track! While retaining the original brand’s robust character, this new blend steered towards the middle realm of the taste scale. Well made with a perfect draw, it didn’t take long for this new entry to gain major traction.
With this in mind, it’s no surprise why so many seasoned smokers are rediscovering this time honored brand. By the way, Red is also a hit with newcomers alike!
Check out all the other Joya De Nicaragua cigars available on The Cigar Thief HERE
Country of Origin: Nicaragua
Wrapper: Nicaraguan Habano
Binder: Nicaragua
Filler: Nicaragua (Esteli, Condega, and Jalapa) Factory: Fabrica de Tabacos Joya De Nicaragua S.A.
Blender: Undisclosed
Origin – Dominican Republic
Filler – Dominican
Binder – Connecticut
Wrapper Type – Maduro
Unlike its pale, mild to mellow flavored white boxed sister, this edition is medium to full bodied in taste.
Origin – Nicaragua
Filler – Nicaraguan
Binder – Nicaraguan
Wrapper Type – Habana 2000
Montecristo Pilotico is a very special edition from this long storied brand.
This 2017 creation has an interesting heritage. It turns out that around 50 years ago, Jose Pepe Mendez came upon a region in the Dominican Republic that proved to be perfect for growing tobacco leaves. It was here where he planted what is known as his Pilotico seeds. As time passed he also gained a reputation for establishing many growing techniques and grading guidelines that still exist today in the industry. The master blenders of Montecristo decided to pay homage to Mendez and his seeds by creating this three country blend that yields a sweet kind of medium bodied taste.
To put in another way, Blind Man’s Puff rated this one at 90. Cigar Coop gave it a 91. Without doubt, Pilotico is a must try for aficionados everywhere!
Country of Origin: Nicaragua
Wrapper: Ecuadorian Sumatra
Binder: Dominican
Filler: Dominican Pilotico, Nicaraguan
Factory: Tabacalera de Garcia
Blender: Grupo de Maestros
See all the Montecristo cigars available on The Cigar Thief HERE
Origin – Nicaragua Filler – Nicaraguan Binder – Nicaraguan Wrapper Type – Ecuadorian Habano
