Joya De Nicaragua Antano Gran Reserva is one of this iconic company’s great achievements. In fact, it could be said that when this entry came to market, many, many newcomers gave it a try and loved it.
In 2018 the expertly box pressed Gran Reserva line was rated 93 by Cigar Aficionado and placed #16 as one of the best cigars of the year! While this masterfully made cigar contains the same overall blend used in the Original, all the leaves were allowed to age a long, long time. The results are all the signature characteristics of the Original with a smoother, medium bodied taste creating a tamer, friendlier smoke that everyone can enjoy. And enjoy that have…..and still are to this day!
Country of Origin: Nicaragua
Wrapper: Nicaragua Oscuro
Binder: Nicaragua
Filler: Nicaragua
Factory: Fabrica de Tabacos Joya de Nicaragua S.A.
Blender: Juan Martinez, Alejandro Martinez Cuenca
FYI: No matter what strength, taste and body your palate prefers, there’s a Joya blended with you in mind. Check out all the other Joya De Nicaragua cigars available on The Cigar Thief HERE
Joya De Nicaragua Antano Dark Corojo is yet another one of this iconic company’s great achievements.
This perfectly made Antano Dark Corojo cigar is wrapped with a specially grown Corojo leaf and contains 3-year aged Nicaraguan long-filler tobaccos. The result is a strictly full flavored robust smoke that’s refined, satisfying and uncommonly smooth. With a doubt, getting a 90 rating from Cigar Aficionado led to many seasoned smokers seeing what this great cigar was all about. With this in mind, if you truly feel you’re a connoisseur, Antano Dark Corojo should be in your humidor for sure!
Wrapper: Nicaraguan Corojo Oscuro
Binder: Nicaragua [Aged 3 years]
Filler: Nicaragua [Aged 3 years]
No matter what strength, taste and body your palate prefers, there’s a Joya blended with you in mind. In fact there are now 24 varieties in the line. Check all the other Joya De Nicaragua cigars available on The Cigar Thief HERE
This masterfully crafted Herrera Esteli Brazilian Maduro proves yet again just how great Willy is at blending cigars. Herrera himself describes this complex cigar perfectly. “With the Brazilian Maduro, I wanted to bring the Mata Fina to the forefront of this blend. This tobacco has such a unique texture and it showcases the lush floral and earthy notes I wanted to capture in this cigar. In addition, now that the Herrera Esteli line has been repackaged blending modern simplicity with classic Cuban style, it really shines on our retailers’ shelves and brings unity to the brand.”
With Cigar Authority rating it at 91 and Stogie Press at 92, there’s no doubt that this Brazilian Maduro is another winner,
Country of Origin: Nicaragua
Wrapper: Brazilian Mata Fina
Binder: Connecticut Broadleaf
Filler: Nicaraguan
Factory: La Gran Fabrica Drew Estate
Blender:Willy Herrera
This boutique edition from Drew Estate slipped into the market a few years ago under the radar. The three country blend produces a very pleasant combination of sweetness and spice while retaining a medium bodied taste and an overall smoothness.
Origin – Dominican Republic
Filler – Dominican-Nicaragua
Binder – Dominican
Wrapper Type – Ecuador Connecticut Shade
Origin – Honduras
Filler – Honduran
Binder – Mexican
Wrapper Type – Connecticut
Many moons ago, Davidoff introduced this elegant, perfectly made brand to smokers that enjoyed consistently smooth and mild cigars. Over the years Griffins have garnered a fiercely loyal fan club despite their price. The huge array of available sizes and styles is a rare testament of the company’s desire to cater to smokers preferences of this Luxury cigar throughout its long history.
Origin – Dominican Republic
Filler – Dominican
Binder – Coming Soon!
Wrapper Type – Connecticut
Origin – Dominican Republic
Filler – Dominican
Binder – Dominican
Wrapper Type – Connecticut Broadleaf
It took five countries worth of leaves and dozens of blending attempts to produce this ominously near black beauty for those smokers that want strength above all. This Camacho Triple Maduro edition will take your palate to the very edge of its taste capabilities without destroying it. The key words here are rich, robust and powerful. Definitely not for beginners. Buckle up…BIG TIME!
Origin – Honduras
Wrapper: Mexican San Andres Maduro
Binder: Authentic Honduran Corojo Maduro
Filler: Maduro (Honduran, Brazilian, Dominican)
What do you get when you take the original 90 rated Corojo edition blend and add a triple fermented maduro wrapper? Increased strength, intensity and more of what made the original terrific. If you like Corojo, you’ll love this blend encased with its near black, oily top coat that’s been aged for 18 months. These medium to full bodied cigars don’t trade flavor for strength. The result is a terrific smoke that’s rich in color, deep in flavor and with a texture of raw leather. Sweet, dark and packed with unique spice. Camacho’s Corojo Maduro is a winner!
Wrapper: Grade A Maduro Corojo (Authentic Corojo 5th Priming)
Binder: Corojo (Authentic Corojo)
Filler: Corojo (Authentic Corojo 3 Primings)
Factory: AgroIndustrias Laepe, S.A. (Camacho factory in Honduras)
Camacho Corojo is blended with a high-grade, fifth-priming wrapper leaf and grown from the original Corojo seed that made Camacho famous.This highly rated cigar has a true Cuban styled taste that heads into the full bodied flavor range while retaining smoothness along the way. There is no doubting the rich and robust taste of this amazing flavor bomb. Grab a five pack to see why seasoned smokers have been enjoying this powerhouse blend for years.
Wrapper: Corojo (Authentic Corojo 5th Priming)
Binder: Corojo (Authentic Corojo)
Filler: Corojo (Authentic Corojo 3 Primings)
Factory: AgroIndustrias Laepe, S.A. (Camacho factory in Honduras)
While the Camacho Connecticut Box Press edition shares the same wrapper, binder, and filler as their rounded counterparts, the one big difference is the incorporation of Pennsylvania Broadleaf in the filler. So not only do you get all the flavor and taste of the original, the extra zing and richness from the broadleaf adds to the overall enjoyment. The bonus is how the box pressing enhances the draw amplifying the experience. No doubt it’s a little bolder than your traditional Connecticut.
Wrapper: Ecuadorian Connecticut
Binder: Authentic Corojo
Filler: Generoso, Aleman Ligero, American Broadleaf
Country of Origin: Honduras (Diadema Cigars de Honduras, S.A)
First off this value priced brand is produced by Davidoff and has remained one of America’s top sellers for 20 years. Why? It’s mild, consistent and affordable. Baccarat is an everyday smoke for countless smokers throughout the country. So why a Maduro? Not only did it gives the brand’s legion of smokers another choice that’s just a bit more flavorful, it attracted new smokers that wanted more than what it’s classic counterpart offered. I’m not saying there’s anything not great about the Original blend at all! It is what it is and is loved by many, many folks. This dark edition is still a mild smoke with a bit more dimension to it.
Origin – Honduras
Filler – Honduran
Binder – Honduran
Wrapper Type – Honduran
Avo Syncro Ritmo is the third edition of the very successful Syncro line.
Syncro Ritmo is a South American hybrid blend consisting of seven countries worth of leaves. To say this is a complex tasting cigar would be an understatement. The result is a well made, box pressed beauty yielding heaps of aromatic smoke and a huge array of flavors.
Leaf Enthusiast feels Ritmo is an “Excellent Cigar” by rating it a respectable 9 out of 10 points. They say, “ The result is a well-balanced, enjoyable and complex cigar. The blenders of Davidoff definitely know what they’re doing in this area and this is just a great cigar.” Stogie Review agrees with equal enthusiasm. “The cigar really showcases how excellent South American tobaccos are. The rich notes of coffee, chocolate and nuts along with the spice notes were really livened up by the bright lemon note.” Cigar Dojo rates this Syncro a very respectable 93. They concur with the others. “The resulting smoking experience was bright with citrus and other juicy flavors that provided an appreciated change of pace. Ritmo offers a healthy dose of nuanced complexities, making for a rewarding experience for the intermediate to experienced smoker.” Even the critical folks at Halfwheel say “It’s an enjoyable cigar to smoke”.
Wrapper: Ecuador
Binder: Mexico
Filler: Nicaragua | Peru | Brazil | Honduras | Dominican Republic
Factory: OK Cigar Corp, Inc. (Dominican Republic)
See all the Avo cigars available on The Cigar Thief HERE
Avo Syncro Nicaragua is the first Avo cigar containing Nicaraguan tobacco introduced in 2015.
This edition contains a very complex blend to say the least. Yes, it’s well made, draws perfectly and burns evenly. But this solid medium bodied stick is like a flavor freight train! Unlike like it’s Dominican purebred Classic counterpart, the Avo Syncro Nicaragua is a totally different experience that brought countless new smokers in the Avo fold!
Cigar Dojo rates this cigar a 92 and says it contains loads of complexities and refined flavors throughout. Claiming that Avo accomplishes its first commitment to the power of Nicaraguan tobacco. Leaf Enthusiast scores it 9 out of 10 with equally good things to say….” This cigar has very good flavors and excellent balance.” Blind Man’s Puff describes this smoke as an absolute powerhouse of flavor and strength. They put it at 91 on the scale. But when Cigar Aficionado placed it in their top 25 cigars for the year with a high mark of 93……Enough said.
Country of Origin: Dominican Republic
Wrapper: Ecuadorian Connecticut
Binder: Dominican Republic
Filler: Nicaraguan tobacco from Ometepe, Dominican tobaccos (Piloto, San Vicente Mejorado and hybrid Olor/Piloto), Peruvian tobaccos from Olancho
Factory: TABADOM
Blender: Hendrik Kelner
See all the Avo cigars available on The Cigar Thief HERE
Avo Uvezian was a master cigar maker for may years leading up to him selling his brand to the Davidoff company. His signature natural blend remains as one of the world’s top selling cigars. It’s proprietary blend of purely Dominican fillers and binders combined with a flawless Connecticut wrappers stands as the barometer for mild complexity. By that I mean its mild to your palate but possesses an overall taste full of character not harshness. If you haven’t smoked an Avo, please do and you’ll see what I mean. Totally satisfying night and day!
Origin – Dominican Republic
Filler – Dominican
Binder – Dominican
Wrapper Type – Connecticut
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. They remain one of the benchmarks for mild to mellow taste. If you’ve smoked them you know. If you haven’t, I envy you! Pick your favorite size and enjoy!
Ashton defines premium Dominican taste in an iconic profile, unsurpassed in quality and consistency. Luxurious Dominican binder and filler tobaccos, aged three to four years, support a rich, golden-blond Connecticut Shade wrapper leaf. Savor an impressive portrait of cedar, coffee bean, almond, and cashew notes with a touch of sweetness and spice around the edges. New cigar lovers and seasoned connoisseurs discover and relive their affinity for premium cigars with the unduplicated Ashton Classic.
Wrapper: Connecticut Shade Binder: Dominican Filler: Dominican
92 Rated – Cigar Aficionado, February 2023
90 Rated – Cigar Aficionado, September 2021
90 Rated – Cigar Aficionado, October 2018
90 Rated – Cigar Aficionado, December 2015
90 Rated – Cigar Aficionado, August 2002
90 Rated – Cigar Aficionado, December 1999
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. This 90 rated stick is a staple at just about every worthwhile tobacconist in the country. This cigar’s complex blend produces a rich, full flavor with thick plumes of smoke. It’s smooth, slow burning and very strong. Buckle up!
Origin – Honduras
Filler – Honduran-Nicaraguan-Peruvian
Binder – Nicaraguan
Wrapper Type – Habano-Ligero-Maduro-Nicaraguan-San Andres
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 and is a staple at just about every worthwhile tobacconist in the country. This maduro edition is similar to its Original counterpart in that it produces a rich, full flavor with thick plumes of smoke. It’s also smooth, slow burning and just a bit more robust. Buckle up!
Origin – Honduras
Filler – Honduran-Nicaraguan-Peruvian
Binder – Nicaraguan
Wrapper Type – San Andrés Marrón
Romeo y Julieta Romeo 505 Nicaragua is another fantastic collaboration between Altadis and Plasencia Tobacco S.A.
With attention to detail the 505 Nicaragua contains tobaccos from three of Nicaragua’s well-known growing regions, including a Habano seed wrapper and binder from Jalapa and a mix of fillers from Jalapa, Estelí and Condega. The result is an exceptionally good medium to full bodied smoking experience.
Noted reviewer KATMAN rates it at 92. His description of this flavor bomb is spot on. ” The most heartfelt flavors are malt, chocolate, creaminess, espresso, caramel, smokiness, baking spices, and black pepper creating a beautiful flow chart of indescribable complexity.”
It’s safe to say the 505 Nicaragua is another winner for sure.
Wrapper: Nicaraguan Habano Seed
Binder: Nicaraguan (Jalapa)
Filler: Nicaraguan (Jalapa, Estelí and Condega)
See all the Romeo y Julieta cigars available at The Cigar Thief HERE
Romeo y Julieta’s Romeo is probably the strongest, most complexly blended Romeo y Julieta to come out of the Dominican Republic.
It’s hard to believe this edition is over 10 years old! Without a doubt this Romeo style takes taste to the to a whole new level. Unlike most Romeo y Julieta cigars, this one’s blend of selected tobaccos yields a robust, balanced truly full bodied taste. With attention to detail, Romeo contains a dark, oily Ecuadoran Habano seed wrapper around a potent Dominican blend.
It’s no surprise Cigar Aficionado rates this jewel an astounding 94. In fact, this Romeo beats out much of it’s Cuban competitors. They describe this great cigar perfectly. “Each puff layers the palate with a brawny core of black and red pepper spice, savory leather flavor and sweet impressions of raisins and dried fruit—a truly balanced smoke that covers the sweet, salty and spicy spectrum with elegance and strength.” If you’re a discerning smoker and haven’t tasted this cigars, now’s your chance.
Origin – Dominican Republic [Tobacalera De Garcia]
Filler – Dominican [Piloto & Olor]
Binder – Dominican
Wrapper – Ecuadorian grown Habano
See all the Romeo y Julieta cigars available at The Cigar Thief HERE
Montecristo White Vintage Connecticut is a boutique cigar lover’s dream come true.
Enter this special White Vintage Connecticut edition in 2016 with a three country blend of fillers and binder encased in a US grown Ct. shade wrapper from 2008 and the bar becomes seriously raised! This is an extremely smooth smoke with an all encompassing bouquet of flavors that everyone enjoys. With attention to detail, all the tobacco in these grows on Montecristo’s company farms and is exclusive for these special cigars.
Blind Man’s Puff rates the Double Corona a respectable 91. Their description is still spot on. “I really enjoyed this cigar. I loved the peculiar first third that was able to undergo a metamorphosis into other complex flavors.” Without doubt, this Montecristo is a winner!
Country of Origin: Dominican Republic
Wrapper: U.S. Connecticut Shade Vintage 2008
Binder: Nicaragua
Filler: Dominican Republic, Nicaragua and Peru
Factory: Tabacalera de Garcia
Blender: Grupo de Maestros
See all the Montecristo cigars available on The Cigar Thief HERE
Montecristo Original is without a doubt one of this iconic brand’s best selling cigars.
With attention to detail, the masterfully blended Original’s selection of pure super premium Dominican fillers and binder of these wonderful cigars are encased in a near perfect USA grown Connecticut Shade wrapper. These beautiful vitolas yield a super smooth, medium bodied taste with just the right bit of spice letting you know their heritage.
To put it another way, garnering a 90 rating way back in 1998 by Cigar Aficionado, their perfect description still stands. ” A well-made cigar with a beautiful light brown wrapper. It has a rich, velvety smoke. Smooth, medium-bodied with sweet spices and hints of wood.” No doubt why smokers the world over have been enjoying these for over 25 years. With this in mind, if you haven’t tried one of these, you don’t know what you’re missing.
See all the Montecristo cigars available on The Cigar Thief HERE
Montecristo Nicaragua is a collaboration between Rafael Nodal, head of product capability for Altadis U.S.A., and Master Blender A.J. Fernandez.
With attention to detail, this exceptionally fine cigar is expertly crafted in Nicaragua and made solely from vintage Nicaraguan tobacco. The result is a smooth tasting, medium bodied smoke that’s one of the best Montecristo makes.
No surprise Cigar Aficionado rates it an astounding 93. They did one even better by naming it their #10 cigar of 2018 proving the point even further. Their description of this beauty is spot on. “The balance of this cigar is undeniable, medium to full in body, resonating with the fine qualities of chocolate-covered espresso beans, rich woods and dried fruit.”
If you’re a fan of Montecristo and AJ Fernandez, this one should be in your humidor today! Enough said!
See all the Montecristo cigars available on The Cigar Thief HERE
Montecristo Monte is one of the best cigars this amazing company produces.
When Monte launched in 2013 it took a while for those in the know to catch on. To point out, most Dominican Montecristos are mild to medium bodied with Connecticut-seed wrappers. With attention to detail, the box pressed Monte features a multi-national blend with tobaccos from three countries. The result is a well balanced medium-full bodied smoke with a Cuban styled spice to light up your palate. In 2015 , when the #2 size pulled a 94 rating by Cigar Aficionado and was named one of their top 25 cigars of the year, the secret was out.
If you’ve never tried a Monte, you’re really missing out on an amazing smoking experience.
Wrapper: Ecuadorian Habano
Binder: Dominican Olor/Vintage Nicaraguan Corojo (Double Binder)
Filler: Aged Dominican tobaccos
See all the Montecristo cigars available on The Cigar Thief HERE
The Groupo de Maestros written inside the lid of the box proudly states that the master blenders at Altadis responsible for many of the Romeo, Monte Cristo and H. Upmann selections we enjoy got together again to produce a new style of an iconic brand. Unlike H. Upmanns traditional medium to full bodied smokes, This Connecticut edition delivers mild to mellow, smooth and creamy taste to the masses! If you’ve steered away from H. Upmann in the past, now you can enjoy what they’ve been doing well for over a hundred years!
Origin – Dominican Republic
Filler – Dominican-Nicaraguan
Binder – Dominican
Wrapper Type – Ecuador Connecticut
The H. Upmann brand spans over 170 years and has remained a top rated, consistent favorite for countless smokers. As one of Altadis’ flagship marques, we’ve become accustomed to to the excellence of these Dominican beauties. When Master Blender AJ Fernandez was commissioned to add his genius to the H. Upmann name, the result was a 90 rated superstar!
By combining a selected Dominican long filler with 29 year old vintage Nicaraguan Criollo and Piloto Cubano additions encased in an Ecuadorian Sumatra wrapper, I think he outdid himself! This complex, medium-full bodied smoke draws perfectly and will give you a real insight into why AJ is the Master he is! Please try a five pack of your favorite size and you’ll see what I mean.
Origin – Nicaragua
Filler – Dominican-Nicaraguan
Binder – Nicaraguan
Wrapper Type – Ecuador Sumatra
Even though you have a lot of choices when it comes to the H. Upmann name, the original Reserve has always been my favorite. This is another great cigar still being made in Cuba. The Dominican Upmann is a solid medium bodied smoke that will increase in intensity as you move along. It’s blend will reward you with a robust taste on a consistent basis.
Enjoy this “Old School” favorite!
Origin – Dominican Republic
Filler – Dominican
Binder – Nicaraguan
Wrapper Type – Ecuador Habano
Well now, if you’ve found this cigar in your search I think it’s safe to say you’re looking for something different. The Gispert name actually traces back to the 1800’s in Cuba. Being brought to us by Altadis USA the makers of Romeo and Montecristo the Gispert Natural is a unique four country blend providing a mello to slightly medium bodied taste for a fair price.
Origin – Honduras
Filler – Honduran-Nicaraguan
Binder – Honduran
Wrapper Type – Ecuador Connecticut
Origin – Honduras
Filler – Nicaraguan
Binder – Nicaraguan
Wrapper Type – Ecuadorian
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 wrapper is a rarity in the budget friendly category. Enjoy!
Origin – Dominican Republic
Filler – Dominican-Honduran
Binder – Connecticut
Wrapper Type – Connecticut-Connecticut Broadleaf-Sumatra
Aging room was specifically created in at the end of 2010 to produce small batch boutique blended cigars that are not for everyone. Founded by Rafael Nodal and launched in 2011, Aging Room cigars are made by Jochy Blanco of Tabacalera La Palma in Tamboril, Dominican Republic. Some Aging Room brands are also produced in Nicaragua by Nestor Plasencia Jr. and A.J. Fernandez. All three cigar makers are considered Master Blenders to say the least. The brand’s portfolio includes several high-scoring cigars across many lines.
The Solera line utilizes the Solera drying process which is used in Spanish Wine making. This technique employs staggering the aging of leaves and slowly combining new leaves as the process continues. This time consuming method adds a totally enhanced taste to the tobaccos.
The Sungrown edition is an interesting one. It’s medium bodied with a crisper taste. The Dominican Habano filler and binder is encased with a Dominican sun grown wrapper giving way to a zesty stick.
Country of Origin: Dominican Republic
Wrapper: Dominican Sun Grown
Binder: Dominican Habano
Filler: Dominican Habano
Factory: Tabacalera Palma
Blender: Rafael Nodal
The Aging Room brand was specifically created in at the end of 2010 to produce small batch boutique blended cigars that are not for everyone. Founded by Rafael Nodal and launched in 2011, Aging Room cigars are made by Jochy Blanco of Tabacalera La Palma in Tamboril, Dominican Republic. Some Aging Room brands are also produced in Nicaragua by Nestor Plasencia Jr. and A.J. Fernandez. All three cigar makers are considered Master Blenders to say the least. The brand’s portfolio includes several high-scoring cigars across many lines.
The Pura Cepa turned out to be one of the company’s best entries.This Nicaraguan purebred was rated 90-92 by a bunch of highly critical reviewers! This is an extremely robust, medium plus to full flavored, Cuban style smoke. Buckle up!
Country of Origin: Nicaragua
Wrapper: Nicaraguan
Binder: Nicaraguan
Filler: Nicaraguan
Factory: Plasencia Cigars S.A.
Blender: Rafael Nodal
The Aging Room brand was specifically created at the end of 2010 to produce small batch boutique blended cigars that are not for everyone. Founded by Rafael Nodal and launched in 2011, Aging Room cigars are made by Jochy Blanco of Tabacalera La Palma in Tamboril, Dominican Republic. Some Aging Room brands are also produced in Nicaragua by Nestor Plasencia Jr. and A.J. Fernandez. All three cigar makers are considered Master Blenders to say the least. The brand’s portfolio includes several high-scoring cigars across many lines.
This Dominican made Core Maduro edition consists of the same selected vintage Dominican fillers and binder as the other two Core styles.The distinct taste of this medium to full bodied cigar is derived from it’s very dark and oily San Andreas Mexican wrapper which was aged five years prior to production. This Maduro is definitely a flavor bomb including notes of cocoa, coffee, dried fruit, sweetness and natural tobacco. But it also has bits and pieces of spices to keep things interesting
Wrapper: Nicaraguan Maduro
Binder: Dominican Habano
Filler: Dominican Habano
The Aging Room brand was specifically created at the end of 2010 to produce small batch boutique blended cigars that are not for everyone. Founded by Rafael Nodal and launched in 2011, Aging Room cigars are made by Jochy Blanco of Tabacalera La Palma in Tamboril, Dominican Republic. Some Aging Room brands are also produced in Nicaragua by Nestor Plasencia Jr. and A.J. Fernandez. All three cigar makers are considered Master Blenders to say the least. The brand’s portfolio includes several high-scoring cigars across many lines.
The Core Habano edition is a Dominican puro like it’s Connecticut sister with the exception of being encased in a darker Dominican Habano wrapper yielding a medium-full bodied flavor giving it just a bit more punch….but nicely!
Origin – Dominican Republic
Filler – Dominican
Binder – Dominican
Wrapper Type – Dominican-Habano
The Aging Room brand was specifically created at the end of 2010 to produce small batch boutique blended cigars that are not for everyone. Founded by Rafael Nodal and launched in 2011, Aging Room cigars are made by Jochy Blanco of Tabacalera La Palma in Tamboril, Dominican Republic. Some Aging Room brands are also produced in Nicaragua by Nestor Plasencia Jr. and A.J. Fernandez. All three cigar makers are considered Master Blenders to say the least. The brand’s portfolio includes several high-scoring cigars across many lines.
The Core Connecticut edition consists of all Dominican filler and binder encased in an Ecuadorian grown Connecticut seed wrapper yielding one of the only mellow-medium bodied cigars of the line. This cigar is smooth and tasty with just a bit of welcomed spice.
Origin – Dominican Republic
Filler – Dominican
Binder – Dominican
Wrapper Type – Ecuador Connecticut
Alec Bradley Spirit of Cuba Natural is this super premium maker’s value price edition.
Alec Bradley Spirit of Cuba is an everyday cigar for everybody! We all know Alec Bradley produces many top rated premium cigars. Black Market, Prensado and Tempus to name a few. With attention to detail, this budget entry consists of a Connecticut wrapper, Honduran binder, and Nicaraguan & Honduran fillers. In fact, these cigars are made with the same leaves as their more expensive brands.
How do they do it? By utilizing the “Cuban Sandwich” method of production combining long, short and medium cut fillers. The result is a mild to medium-bodied premium grade smoke that can be enjoyed on a daily basis for a very, very nominal price.
Origin:Honduras
Wrapper: Nicaraguan Grown Connecticut
Binder: Honduran
Filler: Nicaraguan and Honduran
See all the Alec Bradley cigars available at The Cigar Thief HERE
Alec Bradley Prensado Lost Art is a masterpiece of cigar making.
With attention to detail, Lost Art is an extension of the company’s popular Prensado line. Cigar Aficionado rates this blend a respectable score of 90. Their description is spot on for this exceptional medium to full bodied smoke. “Tightly packed with tobacco, this box-pressed cigar has an excellent draw that delivers notes of sweet molasses, nuts and hickory wood. The finish hints of coffee.” Without doubt, Lost Art is a another winner for Alec Bradley.
The bottom line is that if you like the Original Prensado, you’ll enjoy this one as well. Together with it’s expert craftsmanship and vintage leaves, Lost Art produces a wonderful aroma throughout along with a bevy of flavors, spices and natural tobacco taste.
Wrapper: Honduran
Binder: (Dual) Nicaraguan, Honduran
Filler: Nicaraguan, Honduran
Country of Origin: Honduras (Fábrica de Tabacos Raíces Cubanas S. de R.L)
See all the Alec Bradley cigars available at The Cigar Thief HERE
Alec Bradley Prensado has achieved some of the industry’s highest ratings….PERIOD!
With attention to detail, Prensado is made at the superb Raices Cubanas factory in Danlí, Honduras. When Cigar Aficionado gave it an astounding 96 rating, cigar smokers throughout the entire world took serious notice. Their review says it all. “This is as gorgeous a cigar as you’ll ever see, with a picture-perfect head and a stunning wrapper. But it is the flavor that makes it a classic smoke. The Honduran and Nicaraguan tobaccos come together to create leather, chocolate and spice notes, and a long, lush finish.”
It’s hard to believe Prensado is over ten years old. Without doubt, this cigar is a masterpiece of construction and blending. If you consider yourself a connoisseur, Prensado must have a place in your humidor.
Wrapper: Trojes, Honduras
Binder Nicaragua
Filler Trojes, Honduras, Nicaragua
See all the Alec Bradley cigars available at The Cigar Thief HERE
Alec Bradley Maxx is one of this company’s best selling cigars for over 15 years.
With attention to detail, Maxx consists of vintage tobacco leaves from 5 countries. How’s that for a complex blend! With this purpose in mind, this medium to full bodied cigar is produced at the famed Plasencia Cigars S.A. Without a doubt, Maxx’s larger sizes offer smokers a bigger way to get more of what this great cigar has to offer. To explain this, Alan Rubin says it best.”By using tobaccos from five different countries in a large format cigar, I was able to create balance, sweetness and complexity. Sometimes, bigger is better.”
What’s more important are the high ratings and accolades about this fairly priced very tasty smoke. Cigar Aficionado gives it a 91 along with Blind Man’s Puff’s score of 93. And that’s just for starters! See what smokers have been enjoying for so many years to this day. It’s no wonder Maxx is pretty much in every cigar store in the country.
Country of Origin: Nicaragua
Wrapper: Nicaraguan Habano Maduro
Binder: Costa Rica
Filler: Columbia, Nicaragua, Honduras and Mexico
Factory: Plasencia Cigars S.A.
Blender: Alan Rubin
See all the Alec Bradley cigars available at The Cigar Thief HERE
Alec Bradley Lineage is the first edition available in a 70 ring gauge from this cigar maker.
With attention to detail, Lineage contains a blend that has a Honduran wrapper from the Trojes region, a Nicaraguan binder, and a filler blend of Honduran and Nicaraguan tobaccos. It’s important to note that the famed Raices Cubanas in Honduras produces this excellent cigar. Scoring a respectable 90 with Cigar Aficionado, Lineage is another winner for Alec Bradley. Their review is short and sweet. ” Topped with a pigtail cap, this robusto smokes evenly with a clean burn and full draw. It’s a toasty, creamy smoke with some salty elements, a bit of earth and a toffee sweetness.”
So if you’re a fan of big fat ring gauges or not…….Lineage yields a smooth and very enjoyable smoking experience for sure! Any size you choose is a top pick.
Wrapper: Honduran Trojes
Binder: Nicaraguan
Filler: Honduran, Nicaraguan
See all the Alec Bradley cigars to choose from at The Cigar Thief HERE
Alec Bradley It’s A Girl or Boy editions are the best way to celebrate the birth of a child in the cigar world.
With attention to detail, these cigars have a Connecticut Habano Leaf wrapper encasing Honduran and Nicaraguan tobacco. In fact, this is the same blend in the popular Classic line. With that in mind, there’s no doubt these medium bodied and flavorful smokes will be enjoyed by novices and aficionados as well.
The greatest feature of these is as the picture shows, you can insert your own picture of the new arrival inside the wooden frame on the box top to create a personal touch for you or a recipient to remember forever!
Alec Bradley It’s A Girl is available in the popular 6×50 Toro size in boxes of 20
If you want the Alec Bradley It’s A Boy , get it here!
Origin:Honduras
Wrapper: Connecticut Habano
Filler: Honduran and Nicaraguan
Binder:Honduran
Alec Bradley Connecticut is another welcome addition to this company’s extensive portfolio.
With attention to detail this Connecticut uses an Ecuadorian grown Connecticut Shade wrapper encasing a Honduran/Nicaraguan blend of select lower leaves. The result isn’t a surprise. Cigar Aficionado rates it a respectable score 90. They describe it perfectly. ” An attractive looking cigar with a three-seam cap. Its smoke shows nutty and spicy impressions alongside touches of citrus and sweet wood. The long finish hints of caramel.” With out a doubt, Alec Bradley Connecticut is another winner for sure.
From the Nano petite corona to the traditional Churchill, any one you choose is a top pick.
See all the Alec Bradley cigars to choose from at The Cigar Thief HERE
Wrapper: Ecuadorian Connecticut Shade
Binder: Honduran
Filler: Honduran, Nicaraguan
AJ Fernandez San Lotano Requiem Maduro is one of three blends in the San Lotano lineup.
With attention to detail, the Requiem Maduro consists of a complex three country blend and is the only one with a box pressing of the line. While the folks at Cigar Snob rate it a 91, Cigar Aficionado ups it to 92 with a great description. “Draped in a dark, alluring wrapper, this box-pressed cigar offers notes of cocoa, coffee bean and nuts that meld pleasantly with hints of marzipan and sweet raisins.”
No doubt, if you’re a maduro fan, this one must be in your humidor!
Wrapper: Mexican San Andres
Binder: Honduran
Filler: Nicaraguan, Honduran
Check out other AJ Fernandez cigars available on The Cigar Thief HERE!
The AJ Fernandez San Lotano Requiem Habano is the first edition of this very popular line.
Buckle up for this one! Unlike it’s medium to full bodied Maduro sister, this original AJ Fernandez San Lotano Requiem blend is a Cuban style, more full bodied smoke. With attention to detail, this three country blend combined with the ultra rare Brazilian-grown Habano wrapper produces a robust yet balanced flavor via a perfect draw.
The results speak for themselves. Halfwheel rates it a 91 and describes it perfectly. “This cigar impressed the hell out of me. It had such rich flavors and such incredible balance” In fact, Cigar Aficionado gives it the same number with equally kind words. “As this cigar burns it forms a very solid white ash. The easy draw shows floral and woody elements with touches of vanilla and toasted caramel. The finish hints of peanuts.” Needless to say, if you’re a fan of AJ’s cigars, this one is a must try for sure!
Country of Origin: Nicaragua
Factory: Tabacalera AJ Fernandez Cigars de Nicaragua S.A.
Wrapper: Brazilian Habano
Binder: Honduras
Filler: Nicaragua & Honduras
Check out other AJ Fernandez cigars available on The Cigar Thief HERE!
The AJ Fernandez Ramon Allones is a true testament to this Grand Master of cigar making.
What’s important to note is that the Ramon Allones brand is still being produced in Cuba. General Cigar, makers of Punch, Macanudo and Partagas produced this brand for years. They turned it over to AJ for a redo in 2021. Without a doubt, the results are spectacular! That is to say, this well balanced full bodied smoke is serious and gets to the point quickly. It’s truly a Cuban Style experience.
To put it another way, Halfwheel rates it a 92 along with Cigar Aficionado. KATMAN gives it a 93 and Blind Man’s Puff scores it at an astounding 94. What more do you need to know about this amazing cigar!
Country of Origin: Nicaragua
Wrapper: Ecuadorian Habano Oscuro
Binder: Nicaraguan corojo 99
Filler: Nicaraguan corojo 99 from Jalapa, criollo 98 from Condega, Pueblo Nuevom, hybrid leaf grown in Estelí
Factory: Tabacalera AJ Fernandez Cigars de Nicaragua S.A.
Blender: AJ Fernandez
Check out other AJ Fernandez cigars available on The Cigar Thief HERE!
AJ Fernandez New World Puro Especial is another amazing cigar from this great company.
With attention to detail, this incredible blend has taken years to create and AJ uses the best tobacco from his various select farms in Esteli, Nicaragua. In short, it is a profound expression of this region’s greatest tobacco. With this in mind, the Puro Especial is totally unique from the original and Connecticut series.
All you really need to know about this spectacular medium to full bodied smoke is this: Cigar Aficionado rates it a 93 with the best description yet. “Each puff of this dark cigar unfolds layer after rich layer of chocolate and leather intonations, balanced by lively notes of coffee bean, caramel and licorice”. And being named in the top 25 cigars of the year doesn’t hurt either!
Country of Origin: Nicaragua
Wrapper: Nicaraguan Criollo ’98
Binder: Nicaragua
Filler: Nicaragua
Factory: Tabacalera Fernandez
Blender: AJ Fernandez
Check out other AJ Fernandez cigars available on The Cigar Thief HERE!
AJ Fernandez Enclave Habano is a very unique addition to the popular Enclave line.
When the Enclave line was launched in 2016 and garnered a 92 rating along with being named one of years top 25 cigars, most of us weren’t surprised. What did get everyone’s attention was why this brand tastes so amazingly different than his other entries.
With attention to detail, the use of a Cameroon binder combined with leaves from AJ’s personal stash including a rarely used Rosado wrapper sets this cigar apart. This a medium to full bodied Cuban style smoke that maintaining its balance to the finish. In short, if you fancy yourself a fan of AJ, the Enclave Habano will climb to the top of your list.
Wrapper: Ecuadorian Habano Rosado
Binder: African Cameroon
Filler: AJ Fernandez Select Nicaraguan, AJ Fernandez Nicaraguan Piloto Cubano
Check out other AJ Fernandez cigars available on The Cigar Thief HERE!
AJ Fernandez Bella Artes is another one of this company’s best offerings.
This original Bella Artes edition launched in 2017. What makes this brand unique is that while being a medium plus to full bodied smoke, it contains a complex combination of sweetness and spice that remains throughout its entire duration. No doubt, this cigar is another exceptional blend offering giving all AJ fans yet another choice to keep us in his fold! With a 92 rating from Cigar Dojo, their description says it best. “A shockingly full flavor experience from first puff. It doesn’t rely on overused decoys such as ultra sweet or ultra peppery flavors, instead offering a more balanced approach that hits the palate on all fronts.”
Wrapper: Rojita (proprietary hybrid)
Binder: Havana ’92 (Quilalí, Nicaragua)
Filler: Nicaragua (Estelí, Condega & Jalapa) | Honduras | Brazil
Factory: Tabacalera Fernandez S.A. (Nicaragua)
See all of the AJ Fernandez cigar available on The Cigar Thief HERE
AJ Fernandez San Lotano The Bull is another amazing addition to this very popular line.
With attention to detail, the filler of this jewel is from Fernandez’s fields in Nicaragua, as is the binder. They’re rolled in a fine-looking dark brown Ecuadorian Sumatra wrapper that is encased in a cedar sleeve stamped with the silhouette of a bull’s head. The bonus is the box pressing making the draw spectacular.
The San Lotano The Bull is an Official Cigar Thief Red Alert! The Bull edition starts out at 100 MPH and keeps going! Yes, it’s a strong, full bodied smoke, without a doubt. But it’s also complexly smooth while being robust at the same time.With this in mind, Cigar Coop rates it at 92 describing it perfectly. “Besides delivering some great flavors, perhaps one thing that really makes the San Lotano Bull stand out is how smooth and bold this cigar is.”
Wrapper: Ecuadorian Sumatra
Binder: Nicaraguan
Filler: Nicaraguan
Check out other AJ Fernandez cigars available on The Cigar Thief HERE!
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