One of the reasons this cool company’s founder has been so successful over the recent years is him knowing the need to continue offering cigars that appeal to a wider range of smokers. While his array of medium to full bodied sticks are a joy to behold, his ability to co-author the La Hacienda blend for those folks that enjoy lighter, medium flavored smokes is to be commended. Coming to market in 2016, this fairly priced entry starts off on a mild note and very slowly evolves into a smooth, balanced and slightly sweet smoking experience. Origin – Nicaragua Filler – Nicaraguan Binder – Nicaraguan Wrapper Type – Nicaraguan
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)
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
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
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
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 Maduro is medium to full bodied and loaded with rich flavors of espresso, cocoa and light pepper. There’s also a bit of a cherry like sweetness throughout as well, if you can believe it!
Wrapper: Mexican San Andrés Maduro
Binder: Nicaraguan Aganorsa
Filler: Nicaraguan Aganorsa
Leaf by Oscar Barber Pole is of this company’s most unique entries.
With attention to detail, this Barber Pole utilizes a Mexican San Andrés maduro wrapper combined with a green candela wrapper. It’s also important to note it also uses a box-pressed format normally not found with this style of cigar. The cap is also unique in that it also features a maduro cap surrounded by a candela ring. To say this cigar is masterfully made is an understatement.
The results of this craftsmanship speak for themselves. The overall medium to full body combines with an array of flavors producing rich tasting aromatic smoke. But you don’t have to take our word for it. Halfwheel rates it @ 90, KATMAN @91, Cigar Coop @ 91 and Blind Man’s Puff @92. If you’ve never tried a Barber Pole, this is the one to get!
Country of Origin: Honduras
Wrapper: Mexican San Andrés, Candela (Undisclosed Origin)
Binder: Nicaragua
Filler: Honduras, Nicaragua
Factory: Oscar Valladares Tobacco & Co
Blender: Oscar Valladares
See all of Oscar’s cigars available at The Cigar Thief HERE
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
