premium cigars
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Oliva Gilberto Reserva
$113.25 – $137.52This 90 rated edition was appropriately named paying homage to Oliva’s founder. The interesting blend of tobaccos from four countries produces a mellow to medium bodied kind of crispy taste that’s unique for Oliva.
Origin – Nicaragua
Filler – Nicaraguan
Binder – Habano
Wrapper Type – Indonesian Sumatra
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Oliva Flor De Oliva Original
$71.44 – $79.38This great brand traces its roots back to 1886 when Melanio Oliva began growing tobacco in Cuba. After the revolution, his grandson Gilberto went to Spain and then settled in Nicaragua. In 1995 Gilberto and his son Gilberto Jr. launched the company.
If you’re a fan of Oliva cigars, you’ll agree that this company delivers what you pay for. While their super premiums are priced fairly considering the great sticks they are…….they ain’t cheap! When the Flor De Oliva bundles of value-priced premiums were launched, the company made it very clear that everyone can now enjoy their brand every day for around $3 each! Even those folks that smoked long cigars with big ring sizes.
The Original edition is a medium-bodied stick that burns slowly and increases in intensity as you move along. I’ve often smoked the Churchills halfway down and thrown the rest away without any guilt!
Origin – Nicaragua
Filler – Dominican-Nicaraguan
Binder – Nicaraguan
Wrapper Type – Connecticut Broadleaf-Sumatra
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Primo Del Rey Original
$62.84 – $240.16There’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
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Foundation Charter Oak Connecticut
$106.20 – $124.20The 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 -
Henry Clay Rustic Cheroot
$25.00 – $80.00Ok, I’ll admit it. This is one of my personal favorites. Henry Clay has a rich heritage dating back to Cuba. Cigar giant Altadis has done a great job with this old school brand. This complex little guy is wrapped in a near black USA grown Connecticut Broadleaf with a Honduran Broadleaf binder. The Dominican fillers are combined with a rarely used, very powerful Capa Dura Honduran leaf which oddly enough, is a leaf thats grows on the plant after its been harvested. The result is a highly rated medium-full bodied pigtailed powerhouse with a $4 price.
Origin – Honduras
Filler – Dominican
Binder – Honduran
Wrapper Type – Connecticut Broadleaf -
Montesino Natural
$82.00 – $130.00It’s hard to believe this Arturo Fuente made premium brand is approaching a 30th birthday. I was young and beautiful when I smoked my first one! While the blend of leaves is different from the company’s signature line, these well made, fairly priced, medium bodied, smooth tasting sticks have remained very popular over the years. I’ve often looked at them as kind of “comfort cigars”.
Filler: Dom. Rep.
Binder: Dom. Rep.
Wrapper: U.S.A./Conn. Shade
Country: Dominican Republic
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Factory Smokes Sweets
$33.45 – $45.59Factory Smokes Sweets are 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 well made sweet capped cigar is medium bodied with definite hints of vanilla and coffee along with bits of gentle spices. For those who want a good tasting cigar without the associated price tag, Factory Smokes are surely the way to go!
Check out the other three Factory Smokes blends available at the Cigar Thief Here
Country of Origin: Nicaragua
Wrapper: Nicaraguan Habano
Binder: Indonesian Sumatra
Filler: Indonesia Sumatra
Factory: La Gran Fabrica Drew Estate
Blenders: Willy Herrera, Jonathan Drew -
Herrera Esteli Habano
$104.55 – $227.55When 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 -
La Aroma de Cuba Original
$173.75 – $212.50To begin with, Master Blender Jose “Don Pepin” Garcia created La Aroma de Cuba. This Ashton sister brand received a “Top 25” award twice! It’s 93 rating over 20 years ago is still a testament to its quality today. This Cuban seeded Nicaraguan blend of vintage fillers combined with a Connecticut Broadleaf wrapper yields a Cuban style medium bodied smoke that’s hard to beat at any price! The Robusto is a top pick!
Want to see more La Aroma de Cuba cigars? Click HERE.
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Ashton Heritage Puro Sol
$225.21 – $265.16There’s a few reasons why 90 rated Ashtons have remained in the top ten for decades. They are made by the folks at Arturo Fuente. They are insanely consistent and remain one of the benchmarks for mild to mellow taste. If you’ve smoked them you know. If you haven’t, I envy you!
Those of us that have enjoyed Ashton’s Classic series over the years have become accustomed to their signature taste. When the Puro Sol edition was launched it was Ashton’s first venture into the medium bodied category. Bang! Not only did it get a 94 rating, it placed #7 of the top 25 best cigars of the year. So if you’ve enjoyed Ashton Classics, you must step up and try the Ashton Heritage Puro Sol flavorful beauty.
Country: Dominican Republic
Strength: Medium-Full
Wrapper: Ecuadorian Habano wrapper
Binder: Dominican
Filler: DominicanACCOLADES
Top 10 Cigars of the Year – Cigar Aficionado, 2012
Top 10 Cigars of the Year – Cigar Aficionado, 2008
Top 10 Cigars of the Year – Cigar Aficionado, 2005
Top 25 Cigars of the Year – Cigar Aficionado, 2021
Top 25 Cigars of the Year – Cigar Aficionado, 2004
94 Rated – Cigar Aficionado, May 2021 -
Romeo y Julieta Reserva Real
$88.21 – $237.33Romeo y Julieta Reserva Real is another highly rated offering of this iconic brand.
When the original 1875 White line was launched it rapidly became one of the country’s top sellers. Shortly after, the Reserva Real series hit the ground running. While this blend upped the flavor to the medium bodied level it remained smooth and balanced with just a hint of spice to liven up your palate.
As luck would have it, Cigar Aficionado recently rated the Lonsdale size a respectable 91. Their description says it best. Initial notes of dried citrus and vanilla combine on the palate for an orange creamsicle effect. There’s a slightly cedary element as well, making for a bright, sweet cigar that draws and burns evenly.” Not convinced yet? The Porto Real came in at 92!
Origin – Dominican Republic
Filler – Dominican-Nicaraguan
Binder – Dominican
Wrapper Type – Ecuadorian grown ConnecticutSee all the Romeo y Julieta cigars available at The Cigar Thief HERE
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Oliva Serie O Maduro
$109.20 – $190.10Oliva has been turning out amazing cigars for many years. Most of their selections offer smokers a wide array of top rated cigars ranging in taste from mild to medium.
Enter the Series O Maduro and things change dramatically! The great aspect of this 90 rated stick is that it delivers a solid full flavor with an uncanny smoothness
Origin – Nicaragua
Filler – Nicaraguan
Binder – Coming Soon!
Wrapper Type – Connecticut Broadleaf Maduro -
La Estrella Cubana Habano
$61.02 – $71.82Take the band off this Habano wrapped cigar, give it to your buddy, let him light it up and get it going and then tell him it’s about a $3 smoke! General Cigar produced Las Estrella to give us a value priced BOXED cigar worthy of any occasion.
It’s medium bodied in taste with an even burn.Origin – Nicaragua
Filler – Coming Soon!
Binder – Coming Soon!
Wrapper Type – Habano -
Arturo Fuente Don Carlos
$231.60 – $370.00It’s hard to believe that it’s been over 20 years since this jewel came to market. The Don Carlos has won more awards and 90+ ratings than I could count. It’s probably one of this company’s finest blending achievements that has remained amazingly consistent over the decades. For me it yields a true Cuban style rich taste without any harshness. They’re hard to find in any style so get ’em while we have em’!
Country of Origin: Dominican Republic
Wrapper: Cameroon
Binder: Dominican Republic
Filler: Dominican Republic
Factory: Tabacalera A Fuente y Cia
Blender: Carlito Fuente -
Kentucky Fire Cured Original
$40.80 – $69.70This 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.
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Dunbarton Mi Querida
$127.08 – $228.65This edition was Dunbarton’s second entry following the Sobremesa. This medium to full bodied cigar is a true chameleon. The first third is almost mellow with a chocolatey sweetness. As you move along the natural tobacco flavors combine with spices that kick in with increased intensity towards the finish. Yet another wonderfully complex and unique stick from this very cool company.
Origin – Nicaragua
Filler – Nicaragua
Binder – Nicaragua
Wrapper Type – Connecticut Broadleaf -
RoMa Craft Baka
$221.40 – $275.40Two young guys from Austin Texas formed the Roma Craft company back in 2012. Since then they’ve made a huge impact on the small batch cigar market. All of their entries have been highly rated and are well made with an ample draw. As smokers palates have evolved over the years, this company has stood out by offering unique and complex blends pleasing the folks that steer towards high quality, medium-full bodied cigars. So this is the first cigar that the evil geniuses at Roma Craft decided to use a Cameroon wrapper along with an undisclosed selection of fillers and binder. The result is a solidly medium bodied stick that literally bursts with flavors and subtle spice. There’s alot going on with this cigar that gives off a vanilla like aroma as a bonus! Origin – Nicaragua Filler – Coming Soon! Binder – Coming Soon! Wrapper Type – Cameroon
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Macanudo Inspirado White
$51.49 – $142.50Macanudo Inspirado White is another of the company’s hugely successful boutique entries.
With attention to detail, Inspirado White features a six year old proprietary Ecuadorian Connecticut Shade leaf. This unique wrapper encases a vintage Indonesian binder. The fillers are four year old Mexican San Andrés and Nicaraguan Condega leaves and two year old Jalapa Valley tobacco. To say this is a very complex blend is an understatement!
The company describes this great cigar best. “We spent several years developing this blend, using tobaccos we refined and aged to perfection. Think of the most creamy, alluring cigar you’ve ever had, amplify the complexity and you have Inspirado White.” What more do you need to know?
Like all Macanudos, this Inspirado is perfectly constructed with a consistently good draw. You can be rest assured that Macanudo is still one of the world’s reigning brands for all the right reasons.
Wrapper: Ecuadorian Connecticut Shade (6-year-aged)
Binder: Indonesian
Filler: Condega, Nicaragua (4-year-aged) | Jalapa, Nicaragua (2-year-aged) | Mexican San Andrés (4-year-aged)
Factory: General Cigar Dominicana (Dominican Republic)Looking for more Macanudo products available on The Cigar Thief? Click HERE
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Arturo Fuente Especiales
$125.55 – $147.15These cigars are one of the Industry’s best kept secret. What many folks don’t know is that the fillers and binders of “Premium” cigars is what’s knows as long leaf filler which is very, very costly. These three editions use all the vintage tobaccos that Fuente is known for in short and medium form instead. These contents are then encased in an Ecuadorian Habano wrapper which yields a perfectly drawing, extremely flavorful medium bodied world class cigar than can be enjoyed every day without guilt.
Country of Origin: Dominican Republic
Wrapper: Ecuador
Binder: Dominican
Filler: Dominican
Factory: Tabacalera A. Fuente y Cia DR
Blender: Carlos Fuente Jr. -
Muwat Original
$48.79 – $112.75Muwat 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.
- Country of Origin: Nicaragua
- Factory: Fabrica de Tabacos Joya de Nicaragua S.A.
- Wrapper: San Andres Negro
- Binder: Connecticut Broadleaf
- Filler: Brazilian Mata Fina Oscuro, Nicaraguan Ligero Estelí, Viso Condega and Seco Jalapa
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Kentucky Fire Cured Sweets
$40.80 – $69.70Check 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
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Cusano M1 Connecticut
$52.20 – $66.60The 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
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Baccarat Game
$17.00 – $216.00First 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
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San Cristobal Original
$238.80 – $294.00After years of planning San Cristobal was launched is 2007. Crafted by famed Master Blender Jose “Don Pepin” Garcia along with the owners of the Ashton brand, this Original blend is a rich, full bodied well balanced Cuban style smoke that garnered a 92 rating right from the start. All the tobaccos used in these beautifully made cigars are aged 2 and 3 years respectively and are triple fermented which ensures an overall flavor unto itself. This is a true Connoisseur’s Luxury smoke!
Wrapper – Nicaraguan Corojo
Binder – Nicaraguan
Filler – Nicaraguan -
Butera Royal Vintage
$148.05 – $226.52When this cigar was Introduced at the height of the cigar boom in 1993 it represented being the first boutique entry made to date. I remember the hoops I had to jump through to buy them for my stores. As time passed Butera got passed over by the hundreds on new brands and manufacturers since it’s introduction. This still amazing cigar combines six whole leaf tobaccos with a near perfect Connecticut Shade wrapper. The Indonesian binder adds the final magic to create a mild to medium bodied super smooth smoking experience. I heartily recommend at least a five pack of Toros. This cigars unique heritage will give you a real insight into what launched a whole industry within the cigar universe!
Origin – Dominican Republic
Filler – Dominican
Binder – Indonesian
Wrapper Type – Connecticut Shade
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Alec Bradley Texas Lancero
$91.35 – $456.75Attention all Tough Guys! So you’re a big ring fan! Feast your eyes on Alec Bradley’s 7×70 Monster. This medium bodied gargantuan is actually a smooth, well balanced smoke. Needless to say, it’s slow burn will get you through all 18 holes on the course!
Wrapper : Nicaragua
Filler : Nicaragua, Costa Rica and Honduras
Binder : IndonesiaSee all the Alec Bradley cigars available at The Cigar Thief HERE
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Dunbarton Umbagog Bundle
$82.88 – $93.08If you’ve read my “Bundles of Joy” article posted in the ASK RICHIE section of this website, you know how most cigar makers increased the amount of bundled value brands they offer to budget conscious smokers. Umbagog, named for Dunbarton’s owner’s favorite New Hampshire lake, doesn’t quite fall into this category. While the cigars are wrapped in paper and priced considerably lower than their other entries, they’re definitely not bargain smokes. What they are is another great medium to full bodied edition that is well made like the others offering a more straightforward taste. Natural tobacco, black licorice and some peppery spices appears early on and remain throughout.
Origin – Nicaragua
Filler – Nicaragua
Binder – Nicaragua
Wrapper Type – USA Connecticut Broadleaf
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Rocky Patel Ray Lewis Legends 52
$70.00 – $140.00If you’ve landed on this cigar you either know it or you’re curious. Yes, it’s a great stand out limited edition blend yielding a smooth medium to full bodied signature taste that Rocky does better than many. And yes again, it won’t be around forever to say the least.
Origin – Honduras
Filler – Honduran-Nicaraguan
Binder – Brazilian-Mexican
Wrapper Type – Ecuador Habano -
Oliva Nub Habano
$113.12 – $244.09Origin- Nicaragua
Filler- Nicaraguan
Binder- Nicaraguan
Wrapper- Ecuadorian Sun Grown Habano -
Camacho Connecticut
$31.68 – $180.00The 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) -
Casa Turrent 1942 Maduro
$99.00 – $145.00Origin – Mexico
Filler – Nicaraguan and Mexico
Binder – Nicaraguan and Mexico
Wrapper Type – Mexican
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Alec Bradley Project 40
$119.88 – $205.20Alec Bradley Project 40 is the first of the company’s new Experimental Series blended by Alan Rubin himself.
With attention to detail, Project 40 is being produced at Jesus Fuego’s factory in Estelí, Nicaragua. With this in mind, it includes a complex blend made up of a Nicaraguan wrapper covering a Brazilian habano binder and filler tobaccos from Nicaragua. What’s more amazing is that this amazing medium bodied cigar sells for around $5.
It’s safe to say that this 2019 “Experiment” is a huge success. To put it another way, Cigar Aficionado @ 92, Halfwheel @ 91, Blind Man’s Puff @ 92 and Cigar Authority @ 91. And that’s just for starters! Need we say more about this fantastic cigar that you can thoroughly enjoy any time of the day!
Country of Origin: Nicaragua
Wrapper: Nicaraguan Colorado
Binder: Habano Brazilian
Filler: Nicaraguan
Factory: J. Fuego Cigar Co. De Nicaragua SA.
Blender: Alan RubinSee all the Alec Bradley cigars available at The Cigar Thief HERE
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Punch Gran Puro Nicaraguan
$124.02 – $154.62The dark, oily appearance of this cigar may lead you to believe its something its not. In fact, this stick is a very rich medium to full bodied smoke with a subtle sweetness paired with complex, earthy natural tobacco flavors. They burn slowly and cooly and can be enjoyed from start to finish. I love the Double Coronas when I have the time to kill.
Origin – Nicaraguan
Filler – Nicaraguan
Binder – Nicaraguan
Wrapper Type – Connecticut Broadleaf -
Punch Classico EMS
$57.53 – $256.05Origin – Honduras Filler – Honduran, Nicaraguan, and Dominican Binder – Connecticut Broadleaf Wrapper Type – Ecuadorian Sumatran
