After years of planning the first original style San Cristobal was launched in 2007. Crafted by famed Master Blender Jose “Don Pepin” Garcia along with the owners of the Ashton brand. The Quintessence style is a solid medium to full bodied smoke that received a Top 25 status in 2018 when it was introduced along with a 92 rating. When it was revisited in 2022 this cigar was elevated to a 95! It seems as though the Quintessence gets even better as time passes.
Country of Origin: Nicaragua
Factory: My Father Cigars S.A.
Wrapper: Ecuadorian Habano
Binder: Nicaragua
Filler: Nicaragua
This is a strong, robust, full bodied, Cuban style cigar. Buckle Up!
Wrapper: Nicaraguan Habano
Binder: Nicaragua
Filler: Nicaragua Corojo ’99 and Criollo ’98
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
Ok, I’m sticking my neck out here. I think this is one of the absolute best cigars you can buy for the price. Oddly enough, this edition has been flying under the radar for over 15 years. Since it’s been available, I’ve emphatically recommended it more times than I can remember. Davidoff acquired the Cusano brand many years ago and performed magic with the brand. All you need to know is that every component in these cigars has been seriously aged up to 18 years. The result of this true luxury blend is a spectacularly tasty, rich and flavorful mellow to medium flavored jewel with a great draw and a perfect burn. Try a five pack when we have them and see for yourself.
Origin – Dominican Republic
Filler – Dominican
Binder – Dominican
Wrapper Type – Connecticut Broadleaf
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
Crowned Heads Headley Grange is another collaboration between Jon Huber and Ernesto Perez-Carrillo Jr. at his Tabacalera La Alianza S.A.
Headley Grange contains very select Nicaraguan filler and binder leaves from Ernesto’s farm. Encasing this vintage blend is a beautiful Ecuadorian grown Sumatran wrapper.
Cigar Aficionado rates it a 91 naming it a top 25 cigar of the year in 2013. They exclaim, “The cigar is medium to full in body, with rich coffee flavors as well as notes of almond and spice”. Add this to Halfwheel’s score of 92. They continue the accolades. “A wonderful blend with a few somewhat unique flavors, perfect construction and excellent balance.”
I think it’s safe to assume you’ll be impressed as well. Grab Headley Grange when they’re around.
Country of Origin: Dominican Republic
Factory: Tabacalera La Alianza S.A.
Wrapper: Ecuadoran Sumatra
Binder: Nicaragua
Filler: Nicaragua
See all the Crowned Heads Cigars available at The Cigar Thief HERE
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
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
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
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
Origin – Dominican Republic
Filler – Dominican
Binder – Connecticut
Wrapper Type – Maduro
