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!
If you’ve read my posts you know I’m bullish on aging your cigars to enhance their taste. What sets this Vintage edition apart from the others is the 11 year old San Andreas Mexican wrapper along with Nicaraguan fillers and Connecticut Broadleaf binder. This highly rated, expertly made combination produces a solid medium to full bodied taste that contains coffee and chocolate flavors.
Origin – Nicaragua
Filler – Nicaraguan
Binder – Connecticut Broadleaf
Wrapper Type – San Andres
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!
If you’ve read my posts you know I’m bullish on aging your cigars to enhance their taste. As with the other Vintage series cigars, the ’90 is perfectly box pressed. The big difference is the very dark 10 year old Ecuadorian Sumatra wrapper giving this medium bodied stick a thick smoke that draws and burns perfectly.
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!
Rocky’s introduction of this magnificent cigar celebrating his 10th anniversary in business rocked the industry by achieving a 95 rating! This oily wrapped medium to full bodied stick is as great today as it was back then and is still a bestseller. This is a rich, balanced smoke that draws perfectly and burns evenly. For me, I get a bit of cherry, coffee and buttered toast!
I highly recommend a five pack of my favorite sized Lonsdales.
Origin – Honduras
Filler – Honduran
Binder – Coming Soon!
Wrapper Type – Sumatra
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 Maduro edition is hard to describe. Some folks say it’s totally full-bodied while others claim its medium to full-bodied. I guess what makes this so is because this box-pressed stick’s wrapper is triple fermented and aged in Cedarwood boxes then placed in bourbon barrels for just over a year. You’ll just have to judge for yourself.
Origin – Nicaragua
Filler – Nicaraguan
Binder – Nicaraguan
Wrapper Type – Habano Maduro
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
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
Need some time to catch your breath? The great characteristic of this cigar is that it starts off with a well rounded medium taste that increases in intensity as you move down the line. Throughout the entire smoke this Oliva stays very, very smooth!
Origin – Nicaragua
Filler – Nicaraguan
Binder – Coming Soon!
Wrapper Type – Connecticut Broadleaf
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.
The 90 rated, box-pressed, Serie G came on the scene in 2007. Cameroon wrapped cigars are among my favorite. Box press them and you’ve won my heart! Oliva’s proprietary blend of Nicaraguan fillers with a vintage Cuban seed grown Habano binder produces a rich, well rounded medium-bodied cigar without any hint of harshness. Many feel that this cigar remains one of the company’s finest to this day. If you’ve had them, you know. If you haven’t tried them, I urge you to grab a five-pack. Serie G is one of my absolute favorites.
Origin – Nicaragua
Filler – Nicaraguan
Binder – Cuban Seed Habano
Wrapper Type – Cameroon
Don Pepin Garcia of My Fathers Cigars fame originally created this cigar over 15 years ago. As the company rocketed to fame with numerous 90+ rated, full bodied Cuban style smokes, Vegas Cubanas kind of got lost. This mellow to slightly medium bodied stick is a welcome addition to the My Father lineup. It’s very flavorful with just a bit of spice and draws perfectly. Make no mistake. This is a highly rated smoke for those of us that steer towards milder tastes.
Wrapper: Nicaraguan- Habano Rosado Claro
Binder: Nicaraguan Criollo
Filler: Nicaraguan- Cuban Seed ’99 Corojo, Criollo
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
First off, just so you know the “Xtreme” of this cigar doesn’t mean totally full flavored or harsh in any way. This 90 rated Gurkha is “Xtremely” flavorful! What I like about this perfectly made medium bodied stick is the great draw yielding a smooth array of a kind black licorice and cocoa taste. Tough to explain its uniqueness. If you’re a Gurkha fan and haven’t tried it, you really should.
PS. The very cool space age box is a keeper!
Origin – Nicaragua
Filler – Nicaraguan
Binder – Nicaraguan
Wrapper Type – Nicaraguan
Macanudo Maduro is the first darkly wrapped vitola from this iconic company.
The Maduro edition arrived over 20 years ago with a dark Broadleaf accompanied with a complex blend of premium tobacco. The result moved the needle on the taste meter into medium bodied flavor range opening up the brand to new smokers that wanted a more robust smoke while enjoying Macanudos quality and consistency.
Don’t be fooled by it’s gorgeous exterior, Macanudo Maduro is a mellow to medium cigar handcrafted with tobaccos that surpass the rest. The secret is in the Connecticut Broadleaf wrapper, handcrafted in the Dominican Republic, and thanks to a proprietary curing process, this leaf is one of the most intriguing and flavorful Maduros in humidors everywhere.
WRAPPER: Connecticut Broadleaf
BINDER: Connecticut
FILLER: Mexican, Dominican Piloto Cubano
Looking for more Macanudo products available on The Cigar Thief? Click HERE
Macanudo 1968 is one this iconic company’s very special entries. With this in mind, this great cigar was made to celebrate the company’s 40th anniversary in 2008.
Since then, it’s been a steady seller to devoted fans, aficionados and newcomers alike. As it ramps up the normally mild taste that most Macanudos are known for, it also possesses a welcome complexity adding to its medium strength. These masterfully crafted cigars are smooth to their finish and wonderful to smoke.
With attention to detail, the 1968 edition provides a full, flavorful and intricate smoke for fans of complex cigars. But don’t let this new approach fool you. 1968 still delivers intricately balanced flavor and inherent sweetness. The result is a cigar receiving unanimous critical acclaim. 90+ ratings from Cigar Aficionado, Blind Man’s Puff and Cigar Inside dictate this Macanudo is a must try.
Country of Origin: Dominican Republic
Wrapper: Honduran Olancho San Agustin (OSA)
Binder: Connecticut Habano
Filler: Dominican, Nicaragua Esteli, Nicaraguan Ometepe
Factory: General Cigar Dominicana
Blender: Jhonys Diaz
Looking for more Macanudo products available on The Cigar Thief? Click HERE
Chillin’ Moose is a hugely popular and affordable premium cigar line from the Forged Cigar Company. This Original one was the first edition.
These cigars contains a five country blend of selected tobaccos adding up to a mild-medium bodied, complex and enjoyable taste. This value priced gem delivers flavors of natural tobacco, hardwoods, and leather, with hints of cocoa and pepper making it mild enough for anytime of day to say the least.
It’s hard to believe a cigar costing between $3 and $4 can be so good. Noted Reviewer KATMAN says,”In spite of my arrogance about inexpensive cigars, this a cigar I can recommend.” Cigar Czars says it best. “If you are looking for a great cigar to fill up your humidor I highly recommend these cigars.”
Wrapper: Connecticut Habano Rosado
Binder: Ecuadorian Sumatra
Filler: Nicaraguan, Dominican, US Broadleaf, and Mexican San Andrés
See all the Chillin Moose cigars available on The Cigar Thief HERE
Diesel Grind is the first entry of the hugely popular Diesel brand in collaboration with Master Blender A.J. Fernandez’ for Forged Cigars.
This original Grind blend contains a meticulous mix of Nicaraguan binder and filler tobaccos from Esteli. Cloaking this is a mysteriously dark and luscious Ecuadorian Habano Maduro wrapper. The result is a smooth but powerful smoke on all counts.
Blind Man’s Puff rates it a very respectable 91. They describe it perfectly. “A really darkly attractive cigar with big rich flavors in the earthy/woody range with some interesting side notes of herbs and spices coming in at a few points. Good stuff right out of the gate. Big spicy flavor with lots of booming smoke.”
To put it another way, there’s probably no better cigar you can buy for under $7.
Country of Origin: Nicaragua
Wrapper: Habano
Binder: Nicaragua
Filler: Nicaragua
Factory: Tabacalera AJ Fernandez
Blender: AJ Fernandez
See all the Diesel Cigars available on The Cigar Thief HERE
When Cohiba Connecticut was released in March of 2019, we all looked twice at the nearly flawless, golden Connecticut wrapper. Add to this a proprietary blend of vintage leaves from four countries and you have a winner to say the least.
This is a Cohiba that’s as welcomed with morning coffee as it is with an after dinner whiskey. Smooth, cool burning, consistent and unmistakably Cohiba!
Country of Origin: Dominican Republic
Wrapper: Ecuador
Binder: Mexican San Andrés
Filler: Brazil, Dominican Republic, and Nicaragua
Factory: General Cigar Dominicana
Blender: Johnys Diaz
MX2 is still one of the top maduro cigars being rolled today and available on a limited basis throughout the year.
In fact, this edition was produced almost 20 years ago to achieve one purpose; to test the capability of your taste buds! This dark, oily vitola achieves its goal via a five country blend of fillers and binder with a serious twist. Underneath the ominous looking USA grown Connecticut Broadleaf Maduro wrapper lies an even darker Brazilian Maduro binder leaf.
You can expect an open draw yielding aromatic smoke and a tight ash for starters. From start to finish, this medium to full bodied cigar is slow burning producing undertones of sweetness, spice and espresso.
Country of Origin: Nicaragua
Factory: STG Estelí
Wrapper: Connecticut Broadleaf
Binder: Brazil
Filler: Dominican Republic, Honduras, Nicaragua & Peru
See all the CAO Cigars available on The Cigar Thief HERE
CAO New Age: Flathead Steel Horse is a follow up to the very popular original Flathead series.
This complexly blended cigar is wrapped in a proprietary Connecticut Habano Grueso [meaning thick] leaf featuring tobacco from four countries containing Brazilian Arapiraca as the binder along with Honduran, Nicaraguan and Dominican tobaccos comprising the filler. In short, this is an entirely different cigar from the original Flathead. As a bonus, each cigar is in it’s own individually box.
The result is a medium to full bodied box pressed cigar with uniquely smooth flavor notes. Think roasted coffee beans, sweet raisins and bits of peppery spices for starters. Hey, don’t take our word for it. With Cigar Coop scoring it a 90 and Blind Man’s Puff at 93, we think you’ll agree that Steel Horse is another winner for CAO.
Country of Origin: Nicaragua
Wrapper: Proprietary Connecticut Habano Grueso
Binder: Brazilian Arapiraca
Filler: Dominican Republic, Honduras and Nicaragua
Factory: STG Estelí
Blender: Rick Rodriguez
See all the CAO Cigars available on The Cigar Thief HERE
Looking for something completely different? CAO Flavour editions are well made, very mild, nice diversions that can be appreciated and enjoyed for what they are.
This Moontrance style uses a variety of natural extracts and a four country blend including a wonderful Cameroon African wrapper. The result is a smooth sweetness that’s not overpowering and very enjoyable.
Origin – Dominican Republic
Filler – Dominican-Nicaraguan
Binder – Connecticut Broadleaf-Nicaraguan
Wrapper Type – Cameroon
Shipping Restrictions:
These items cannot be shipped to Massachusetts state addresses
This Eileen’s Dream style is probably the best accomplishment of the group. Think infusing what’s good about Bailey’s Irish Creme, Coco Lopez and Vanilla Ice cream along with milk chocolate and you’ll get the idea of what this great little stick is all about.
Origin – Dominican Republic
Filler – Dominican-Nicaraguan
Binder – Nicaraguan
Wrapper Type – Cameroon
Shipping Restrictions:
These items cannot be shipped to Massachusetts state addresses
CAO Classic: Gold is the first cigar this legendary company created.
In the height of the “Cigar Boom’ of the 90’s, CAO added this line of cigars to their offerings. Until then, they were known for pipes, humidors and other smoking accessories. When this cigar hit the streets, Cigar Aficionado’s review then still holds true today. “A silky, smooth wrapper on a well-made medium bodied cigar. It is earthy, with wood and sweet spice notes.” Oddly enough, in 2109 they rated this blend a score of 91. No doubt the CAO Gold was a winner then and is still pleasing smokers today.
Origin:Nicaragua / Filler:Nicaraguan / Binder:Nicaraguan / Wrapper:Ecuadorian Connecticut
See all the CAO Cigars available on The Cigar Thief HERE
Origin – Dominican Republic
Filler – Dominican
Binder – Dominican
Wrapper Type – Connecticut Broadleaf
When Drew Estate launched the Liga Undercrown brand back in 2011 not only did it get a 91 rating, it was placed in the top 25 cigars of that year. Those of us that have enjoyed the coveted, super exclusive Liga Privada brand over the years looked twice! Not only is this cigar made in the image of Liga Privada, it uses some of its signature blends blends as well.
This Sungrown edition is another superb smoke that’s actually available available to us all in ample supply. While still a medium to full flavored masterpiece, it actually offers a unique sweetness to the experience. We highly recommend the amazing Flying Pig size when we have them. But if not, the 93 rated Belicoso will do just fine! Get your favorite whiskey, bourbon, beer or wine in hand and enjoy.
Liga Undercrown Sun Grown is another winner from Master Blender Willie Herrera!
Country of Origin: Nicaragua
Wrapper: Ecuadorian Sumatra Sun Grown
Binder: Connecticut River Valley Stalk Cut/Cured Sun Grown Habano
Filler: Nicaraguan
Factory: La Gran Fabrica Drew Estate
Blender: Willy Herrera
