No one disputes that Rocky Patel is one of the few Titans of the Premium Cigar Industry. Over 20 years ago as he began his quest to get a foothold in the marketplace he actually got in his car and traveled the country visiting high volume Tobacconists unannounced! When he wound up in my store to sell his first entry, I hesitantly took a chance on him. Actually, he was such a nice and appreciative person I couldn’t resist! The rest is cigar history!
The sun grown edition is a chameleon like flavor changer. The 5 year old Ecuadorian Sun Grown wrapper gives it a spicy/sweet kind of taste that starts off medium bodied and smoothly escalated to a fuller level. The key word here is smooth. The 90+ rating it has while offering a lower price point is a bonus. I recommend a five pack of petit coronas to wet your whistle with. for starters. And if you do, leave one in your humidor for a year for a real treat!
Origin – Honduras
Filler – Dominican-Nicaraguan
Binder – Nicaraguan
Wrapper Type – Ecuador Sumatra
No one disputes that Rocky Patel is one of the few Titans of the Premium Cigar Industry. Over 20 years ago as he began his quest to get a foothold in the marketplace he actually got in his car and traveled the country visiting high volume Tobacconists unannounced! When he wound up in my store to sell his first entry, I hesitantly took a chance on him. Actually, he was such a nice and appreciative person I couldn’t resist! The rest is cigar history! One of the keys to Rocky’s success over the years is the number of choices he continues to create for all of us to enjoy.
This 90 rated edition is very special to me. Erik Nording has been one of world’s master pipe makers for decades. He actually visited my store in the late 90’s to meet with all my pipe smoking customers. What many people don’t know is that Erik is a huge cigar guy as well. As luck would have it, he and Rocky got together in 2011. This collaboration allowed Erik to create his own signature stick under Rocky’s banner. This medium-full bodied oily cigar is cool burning and smooth. It’s old school pig tailed cap gives you a hint about the complex, subtle tastes you’ll enjoy encompassing tiny bits of sweetness, spice, coffee and buttered toast.
Origin – Honduras
Filler – Dominican-Nicaraguan
Binder – Coming Soon!
Wrapper Type – Nicaraguan
When I turned 55….a very long time ago….I went out for dinner. When Rocky turned 55 a few years ago, he created this small batch edition. This stick is a continuation of his efforts in blending vintage Nicaraguan fillers encased in the same country’s wrapper. The twist here was adding a Costa Rican binder and letting the finished product age way longer than most would. The result has become a favorite for many smokers. This medium to full bodied stick tastes very different than his other creations yielding an interestingly smokey flavor combined with creamy sweetness and spice. The prefecto shaped Corona is my favorite of the bunch.
Origin – Nicaragua
Filler – Nicaraguan
Binder – Costa Rica
Wrapper Type – Nicaraguan
Nick Perdomo and his Dad are well renowned cigar makers. I’ve watched them grow to one of the world’s powerhouse teams producing a wide array of highly rated premiums. In fact, over 20 years ago I remember Nick personally traveling around the country and winding up in my Long Island store soliciting for business! Many years later when I went to the last big Cigar Show trying to see him was like trying to see a rock start! His success is well earned.
When the 20th Anniversary line was launched all editions were highly rated first class sticks. This Connecticut blend yields a complex mild to mellow flavor with a bit of spice and sweetness along the way.
Origin – Nicaragua
Filler – Nicaraguan
Binder – Nicaraguan
Wrapper Type – Ecuador Connecticut
Oliva launched this Cafe’ Series in 2015 consisting of three distinctly unique flavors: Espresso, Cappuccino and Macchiato.
While I consider myself a purist, I absolutely love each of these sticks! Every one is a top quality, well made cigar with vintage tobaccos in the Oliva tradition available in a huge array of sizes. The flavor infusions are subtle but defined. The aroma is delicious and wonderful in each edition. Pick your favorite brew listing and grab a five pack of 4×38’s for a taste.
Origin – Dominican Republic
Filler – Dominican
Binder – Dominican
Wrapper Type – Ecuadorian
Shipping Restrictions:
These items cannot be shipped to Massachusetts state addresses
This 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.
When Series O appeared in 2008 it was highly rated and remains so all these years later. This top-selling medium-bodied “go to” stick is well made with a smooth draw. It’s really well balanced with a nice bit of sweetness and spice while not being overpowering.
Origin – Nicaragua
Filler – Nicaraguan
Binder – Nicaraguan Habano
Wrapper Type – Habano
Ferio Tego Metropolitan Selection Habano is one of a collection of 5 different blends. And this one is considered the best of the bunch.
With attention to detail, the dark Habano wrapper encases selected Nicaraguan longleaf fillers and binder. When this Nicaraguan puro 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 cigar goes directly into the solid medium plus to full body realm. What catches everyone by surprise is that the Metropolitan Selection Habano possesses a signature Cuban style thats also tempered with smoothness. The bonus is a perfect draw giving way to a huge volume of aromatic smoke as well.
Just so you know, these cigars are in and out of stock quickly. Stay connected with us to see when more come in.
See all the Ferio Tego cigars available on The Cigar Thief HERE
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
Gurkha is an amazing brand with a long heritage. The Ghost tube is one of my favorites! This medium bodied torpedo size cigar is satisfying, consistent and price friendly!
Origin – Dominican Republic
Filler – Dominican-Nicaraguan
Binder – Criollo ’98
Wrapper Type – Brazilian
The Cohiba Blue line was added offering a four country blend yielding a medium bodied gem for a “friendlier” price point around $9 to $11 that still has the unmistakable Cohiba Signature.The unique, three-country blend represents the a wide range of tobacco growing regions. The contents of this well made cigar produces a mild to medium bodied smoke with an array of flavor notes accompanied by highly aromatic smoke and natural tobacco taste.
Country of Origin: Dominican Republic
Wrapper: Honduran Olancho San Agustin (OSA)
Binder: Honduran OSA
Filler: Honduran Jamastran, Nicaraguan Ometepe and Dominican Piloto Cubano
CAO’s World Series has been a huge success bringing us cigars using the best tobacco from many countries.
This highly rated Brazilia edition continues this experience by using the finest Brazilian Maduro wrapper leaves cut from the top of the plant and then triple fermented. The result is awesome. What makes it stand out is that it’s a cool burn to the finish.
Over 20 years ago Cigar Aficionado rated this blend’s Torpedo a very respectable 91. Their description still holds up. “A dark, oily cigar with a beautiful torpedo tip. It has an easy draw, burning with a rich aroma. The smoke is complex, with an earthy, floral flavor and a toasty, nutty quality. Full bodied, with a long, toasty finish.”
Origin – Honduras
Filler – Nicaraguan
Binder – Nicaraguan
Wrapper Type – Brazilian-Maduro
See all the CAO Cigars available on The Cigar Thief HERE
Brick House Double Connecticut is rolled with the same highly-acclaimed Brick House filler blend with a genuine Connecticut Shade wrapper and Connecticut Broadleaf binder. Fewer and fewer cigars are being made with genuine Connecticut wrapper because many cigar manufacturers have found it to be more profitable to take Connecticut seeds and plant them elsewhere, like Ecuador or Honduras. J.C. Newman takes the use of genuine Connecticut tobacco by using it both in the wrapper and binder.
The result of this combination is a very spicy and peppery rich flavor- one not only unlike regular Brick House- but one unlike any other cigar on the market today. Using both Connecticut Shade wrapper and Connecticut Broadleaf Binder is what makes this new Brick House Double Connecticut such a truly unusual and unique cigar.
WRAPPER: Genuine Connecticut Shade
BINDER: Genuine Connecticut Broadleaf
FILLER: Nicaraguan
FACTORY: J.C. Newman
RATINGS:
Cigar Aficionado: 89
Cigar & Spirits: 93
Cigar Journal: Top 25 Cigars of 2018
AromaG: 91
El Gusto: “El Gusto’s Favorite”
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
Don’t’ let the plain Jane packaging fool you. This is one of three great blends offered by Davidoff under the storied Cusano name for a more than fair price considering what you’re getting.
This Maduro edition is well made, medium bodied, smooth and tasty with a great draw. It also possesses a nice bit of sweetness and spice.
Origin – Dominican Republic
Filler – Dominican
Binder – Coming Soon!
Wrapper Type – Maduro
Wrapper: Honduran Corojo (5th Priming)
Binder: Honduran Corojo
Filler: Honduran Corojo | Pennsylvania Broadleaf
Factory: Diadema Cigars de Honduras, S.A. (Honduras)
Avo XO was created by Master Blender Hendrik Kelner in 1988.
The XO consists of a light-tan Ecuadorian Grown Connecticut wrapper and a premium interior of Dominican binder and filler tobaccos that are aged for at least six years. It’s hard to believe this blend is over 36 years old. Amazingly enough, it continues to get accolades from industry critics.
In 2024, Cigar Aficionado rates this cigar a 92. Their description proves this old soldier can still please the best of them. “This cigar brings a toasty, nutty smoke to the palate with subtle notes of honeyed tea, orange peel and caramel. Elegant and easygoing.” Noted reviewer KATMAN still feels the flavors are very potent and pleasing. The Cigar Authority scored it a solid 90 exclaiming. “A remarkably smooth, yet richly complex medium-bodied composition balanced with notes of wood, spice, dry and sweet fruit.” While Cigar Coop shares that same 90 rating, they conclude it to be an excellent cigar and one that kept true to the milder, creamier experience known the Avo XO line to have.
It’s safe to say, the XO may have been around longer than you! See what discerning smokers have been enjoying for almost 40 years.
Wrapper: Ecuadorian grown Connecticut Seed
Binder: Dominican
Filler: Dominican
Country of Origin: Dominican Republic
See all the Avo cigars available on The Cigar Thief HERE
There’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!
The Cabinet Selection edition amped up the flavor to a medium bodied smoke retaining the silky smoothness that Ashton is known for. The Dominican fillers used in these great sticks are aged between four and five years along with aging the Connecticut wrapper for a year. This expertly made beauty draws perfectly, burns evenly and delivers more of what the classic series offers.
Country of Origin: Dominican Republic
Wrapper: USA Connecticut Shade
Binder: Dominican Republic
Filler: Dominican Republic
Factory: Tabacalera A. Fuente
ACCOLADES
91 Rated – Cigar Aficionado, October 2019
90 Rated – Cigar Aficionado, February 2019
90 Rated – Cigar Aficionado, June 2006
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. As time passed the brand began to evolve attracting new smokers. Over 10 years ago the Series G Natural came to market giving folks who enjoy medium bodied cigars a treat that captured the brand’s heritage of rich taste in a slow burning, smooth stick.
Soon after, the addition of pitch black Connecticut Broadleaf wrapper on this maduro edition raised the needle of the taste meter just a bit more than it’s natural counterpart.
Origin – Honduras
Filler – Nicaraguan
Binder – Connecticut Broadleaf
Wrapper Type – Connecticut Broadleaf
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
Montecristo Monte by AJ Fernandez is another fantastic collaboration between Master Blender A J Fernandez and this iconic brand. This is the fourth cigar blended and rolled by Fernández for Altadis U.S.A.
With attention to detail, this creation contains vintage Dominican piloto cubano and criollo 98 fillers along with a prime Nicaraguan corojo 98 binder. And encasing all this is a 17-year-old Ecuadorian Habano wrapper. How’s that for complexity and craftsmanship! Without doubt the blend yields a balanced, smooth medium-full bodied flavor. To say the least, this dark, box pressed cigar is perfectly made with an exceptional draw.
When renowned industry reviewer Katman rated it at 95, his description of this flavor bomb is spot on. ” This may just be the maltiest blend I’ve smoked. In addition, flavors of chocolate, caramel, creaminess, red pepper, dried fruit, roasted nuts, cedar, and toasted buttered French bread make this cigar a winner.”
If you consider yourself a fan of Montecristo and AJ Fernandez, this one must be in your humidor for sure!
Country of Origin: Nicaragua
Wrapper: Ecuadorian Habano
Binder: Nicaraguan Corojo 98
Filler: Nicaraguan Criollo 98, Dominican Republic Piloto Cubano
Factory: Tabacalera Fernandez S.A.
Blender: AJ Fernandez
See all the Montecristo cigars available on The Cigar Thief HERE
Without doubt, Montecristo Espada is one of this iconic company’s best cigars ever!
The Spanish lesson for today is: Espada means sword. When the Espada appeared garnering a 92 rating and becoming one of the top 25 cigars of the year we all knew it was worth the price. What must be remembered is Espada is made in Nicaragua at Plasencia Cigars and is a collaboration between Plasencia and the Altadis blending team, Grupo de Maestros.
With attention to detail, the very rare wrapper from 2010 encases vintage Nicaraguan filler and binder tobacco from three prized growing regions. In fact, the filler and binder leaves are even older! The result is a medium bodied purebred with an interesting combination of sweetness and spice thats creamy and balanced. Cigar Aficionado describes this amazing smoke perfectly. “An exceptional smoke offering the spice of a gingersnap with touches of cinnamon that build to a sweet, spicy finish.”
It’s no surprise Espada has been pleasing cigar smokers for almost a decade and is still going strong.
Wrapper: Nicaraguan Habano (Jalapa) Vintage 2010
Binder: Nicaraguan Habano (Jalapa) Vintage 2009
Filler: Nicaraguan Habano (Jalapa) Seco Vintage 2008, Nicaraguan Habano (Jalapa) Viso Ometepe Vintage 2008, Nicaraguan Habano (Condega) Ligero Vintage 2008
I have to put my Diplomat hat on to talk about this nearly thirty year old brand. Forgetting about the fact they were just over two dollars when they came out, you have to realize they’ve continued to be produced for decades! Why? Because they have a very devout following of fans that have come to look at this name as a kind of “Comfort Cigar”. It’s mellow to medium bodied with a slight bit of spice that has been pleasing many, many folks for such a long time. The Coronas are the best of the bunch!
Origin – Honduras
Filler – Mexican
Binder – Mexican
Wrapper Type – Connecticut
This is probably one of the best full bodied cigars you’ve never heard of. This 90 rated stick has been flying under the radar for over six years. What sets this Nicaraguan puro aside from many others is the characteristic of its blend, Soon after lighting up it hits you with a robust burst of flavor that begins to settle down with a bit of sweetness as you move along then ramps back up again. This is a very very flavorful cigar with a great aroma.
Origin – Nicaraguan
Filler – Nicaraguan
Binder – Nicaraguan
Wrapper Type – Nicaraguan
You found it! While most of us know the H. Upmann brand, few know the rarity of this 90 rated beauty. Yes, it’s medium to full bodied like most Upmanns are. What may folks don’t know is something I’ve talked about before. The Cameroon wrapper is amazing! It changes the character of this cigar to yield a smoother, tastier Upmann. Not that the others aren’t great! These Cedar wrapped beauties are unique and are even better if you let them age.Try a five pack for yourself.
Origin – Dominican Republic
Filler – Dominican-Nicaraguan-Peruvian
Binder – Nicaraguan
Wrapper Type – Cameroon
