Foundation Charter Oak Connecticut is another very popular addition to the Foundation lineup.
With attention to detail, this Connecticut edition features an Ecuadorian grown CT wrapper encasing all vintage grade Nicaraguan fillers. No doubt the construction is perfect since its coming from A.J. Fernández’s prominent factory in Estelí.
Stogie Review thinks this cigar is great. They say, “Really enjoyed the flavors from the cigar especially the sweet creamy notes with the balanced nutty and woody notes. Overall, this is an excellent cigar” Halfwheel like it and feels “The price is great news and makes for an easy choice to try for yourself.” Cigar Authority heartily endorses this cigar with a stout rating of 92. Their take…”The price matched with tremendous flavor makes this box worthy times 2.”
There’s no doubt this mild to medium bodied smooth smoking cigar is a winner. The bonus is you can enjoy it anytime of the day.
Country of Origin: Nicaragua
Factory: Tabacalera AJ Fernandez Cigars de Nicaragua S.A.
Wrapper: Ecuadorian grown Connecticut
Binder: Sumatra
Filler: Nicaragua
See all the Foundation Cigar available at The Cigar Thief HERE and the other Charter Oak cigars HERE
Oliva 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
Rated 96 and named Cigar of the Year in 2012 beating out every other cigar including all the Cuban entries. Medium-full bodied. Amazing. Enough said.
Country of Origin: Nicaragua
Factory: My Father Cigars S.A.
Wrapper: Nicaraguan Sun Grown
Binder: Nicaragua
Filler: Nicaragua
Take 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
It’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
When 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
To 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.
The Ashton Symmetry edition was Ashton’s first venture into adding Nicaraguan leaves with their traditional Dominican filler. The result has been several 94 ratings along with two placements in the top 25 category. This cigar was a real achievement. Not only did it offer a more complex robust taste, it retained Ashton’s classic smoothness with a medium-bodied flavor.
Filler- Dominican-Nicaraguan Binder- Dominican Wrapper Type – Ecuadorian Habano
ACCOLADES
Top 10 Cigars of the Year – Cigar Aficionado, 2017
Top 10 Cigars of the Year – Cigar Aficionado, 2015
94 Rated – Cigar Aficionado, January 2018
Check out other great Ashtons here!
Romeo 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 Connecticut
See all the Romeo y Julieta cigars available at The Cigar Thief HERE