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
If you’re a fan of the Original Havana VI, this edition will give you more of what you enjoyed across the board. This dark stick raises the needle on the flavor strength meter into the medium to full bodied range.
Origin – Nicaragua
Filler – Nicaraguan
Binder – Nicaraguan
Wrapper Type – Habano
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.
This edition came on the scene back in 2011 and received deservedly high ratings culminating in being awarded one of the top cigars of 2018 with 93 points. As you can see, Fausto has been a truly consistently great stick for about a decade. In short; this is a dark, strong, hearty and spicy cigar from the get go and increases in intensity and you move along with it. Buckle up!
Origin – Nicaragua
Filler – Nicaraguan
Binder – Nicaraguan
Wrapper Type – Habano Maduro
Don Pepin Garcia of My Fathers Cigars fame originally created this cigar over 15 years ago. As the company rocketed to fame with numerous 90+ rated, full bodied Cuban style smokes, Vegas Cubanas kind of got lost. This mellow to slightly medium bodied stick is a welcome addition to the My Father lineup. It’s very flavorful with just a bit of spice and draws perfectly. Make no mistake. This is a highly rated smoke for those of us that steer towards milder tastes.
Wrapper: Nicaraguan- Habano Rosado Claro
Binder: Nicaraguan Criollo
Filler: Nicaraguan- Cuban Seed ’99 Corojo, Criollo
This Black Label edition represents Master Blender Garcia’s strongest blend of Nicaraguan long fillers and binder since the brand’s inception. The addition of a deceivingly medium colored vintage Corojo wrapper completes the formula which yields a full flavor to ultra full flavored Cuban styled smoking experience. While this 92 rated powerhouse delivers a great array of pleasant tastes, there’s no questioning it’s outright intensity which increases along the way. Buckle up!
Origin – Nicaragua
Filler – Nicaraguan
Binder – Nicaraguan
Wrapper Type – Corojo
The crafting that went into making this edition in 2012 produced one of Kristoff’s best cigars ever. The four country blend of this 93 rated stick yields a most tasty and interesting smoking experience. From its pig tailed cap to its uncut foot, this dark knight is a medium to full bodied banquet of flavors that gain intensity and sweetness as you move along. Enjoy this one, BIG TIME!
Origin – Dominican Republic
Filler – Dominican-Honduran-Nicaraguan
Binder – Honduran
Wrapper Type – Brazilian
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
Joya De Nicaragua Antano Gran Reserva is one of this iconic company’s great achievements. In fact, it could be said that when this entry came to market, many, many newcomers gave it a try and loved it.
In 2018 the expertly box pressed Gran Reserva line was rated 93 by Cigar Aficionado and placed #16 as one of the best cigars of the year! While this masterfully made cigar contains the same overall blend used in the Original, all the leaves were allowed to age a long, long time. The results are all the signature characteristics of the Original with a smoother, medium bodied taste creating a tamer, friendlier smoke that everyone can enjoy. And enjoy that have…..and still are to this day!
Country of Origin: Nicaragua
Wrapper: Nicaragua Oscuro
Binder: Nicaragua
Filler: Nicaragua
Factory: Fabrica de Tabacos Joya de Nicaragua S.A.
Blender: Juan Martinez, Alejandro Martinez Cuenca
FYI: No matter what strength, taste and body your palate prefers, there’s a Joya blended with you in mind. Check out all the other Joya De Nicaragua cigars available on The Cigar Thief HERE
This masterfully crafted Herrera Esteli Brazilian Maduro proves yet again just how great Willy is at blending cigars. Herrera himself describes this complex cigar perfectly. “With the Brazilian Maduro, I wanted to bring the Mata Fina to the forefront of this blend. This tobacco has such a unique texture and it showcases the lush floral and earthy notes I wanted to capture in this cigar. In addition, now that the Herrera Esteli line has been repackaged blending modern simplicity with classic Cuban style, it really shines on our retailers’ shelves and brings unity to the brand.”
With Cigar Authority rating it at 91 and Stogie Press at 92, there’s no doubt that this Brazilian Maduro is another winner,
Country of Origin: Nicaragua
Wrapper: Brazilian Mata Fina
Binder: Connecticut Broadleaf
Filler: Nicaraguan
Factory: La Gran Fabrica Drew Estate
Blender:Willy Herrera
Many moons ago, Davidoff introduced this elegant, perfectly made brand to smokers that enjoyed consistently smooth and mild cigars. Over the years Griffins have garnered a fiercely loyal fan club despite their price. The huge array of available sizes and styles is a rare testament of the company’s desire to cater to smokers preferences of this Luxury cigar throughout its long history.
Origin – Dominican Republic
Filler – Dominican
Binder – Coming Soon!
Wrapper Type – Connecticut
First off this value priced brand is produced by Davidoff and has remained one of America’s top sellers for 20 years. Why? It’s mild, consistent and affordable. Baccarat is an everyday smoke for countless smokers throughout the country. So why a Maduro? Not only did it gives the brand’s legion of smokers another choice that’s just a bit more flavorful, it attracted new smokers that wanted more than what it’s classic counterpart offered. I’m not saying there’s anything not great about the Original blend at all! It is what it is and is loved by many, many folks. This dark edition is still a mild smoke with a bit more dimension to it.
Origin – Honduras
Filler – Honduran
Binder – Honduran
Wrapper Type – Honduran
I have to admit that the Short Robusto is one of my favorite go to cigars. With that said, you need to know that when this brand style was launched in 2015, not only did it get 90+ ratings across the board, it was also awarded a Top 25 status. This is not just any Avo! Yes, it’s well made, draws perfectly and burns evenly. But this sold medium bodied stick is like a flavor freight train! Unlike like it’s Dominican purebred Classic counterpart, the Synchro’s complex blend is a totally different experience that brought countless new smokers in the Avo fold!
Origin – Dominican Republic
Filler – Dominican-Nicaraguan-Peruvian
Binder – Dominican
Wrapper Type – Ecuador Connecticut
Avo is a top seller throughout the world. If you’re a fan of medium-full bodied cigars I highly recommend a five pack of short torpedos. This very unique size is rarely found and produces an immediate satisfying robust taste. When you don’t have the time to have a large cigar, this little guy is a pleasure to enjoy!
Origin – Dominican Republic
Filler – Dominican
Binder – Dominican
Wrapper Type – Ecuador Habano
This brand started in Cuba in 1940 and is still being made there. When Cigar Giant Altadis acquired the name for the US, production went from the Dominican Republic to Honduras where it remains. This 90 rated stick is a staple at just about every worthwhile tobacconist in the country. This cigar’s complex blend produces a rich, full flavor with thick plumes of smoke. It’s smooth, slow burning and very strong. Buckle up!
Origin – Honduras
Filler – Honduran-Nicaraguan-Peruvian
Binder – Nicaraguan
Wrapper Type – Habano-Ligero-Maduro-Nicaraguan-San Andres
Origin – Honduras
Filler – Nicaraguan
Binder – Nicaraguan
Wrapper Type – Ecuadorian
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 wrapper is a rarity in the budget friendly category. Enjoy!
Origin – Dominican Republic
Filler – Dominican-Honduran
Binder – Connecticut
Wrapper Type – Connecticut-Connecticut Broadleaf-Sumatra
