If you’ve read my “Bundles of Joy” article posted in the ASK RICHIE section of this website, you know how most cigar makers increased the amount of bundled value brands they offer to budget conscious smokers. Umbagog, named for Dunbarton’s owner’s favorite New Hampshire lake, doesn’t quite fall into this category. While the cigars are wrapped in paper and priced considerably lower than their other entries, they’re definitely not bargain smokes. What they are is another great medium to full bodied edition that is well made like the others offering a more straightforward taste. Natural tobacco, black licorice and some peppery spices appears early on and remain throughout.
Origin – Nicaragua
Filler – Nicaragua
Binder – Nicaragua
Wrapper Type – USA Connecticut Broadleaf
I hate to continue repeating myself in describing these great brands editions. Some of you may think that they’re all just full-bodied sticks and that’s that. What Litto Gomez has achieved over the years as a master blender is almost unduplicated. The differences in taste characteristics is defined but the overall contents have remained consistent year after year. This has been proven by this product’s continual difficulty to purchase on an ongoing basis. This is another full-bodied masterpiece for those of us that can handle them.
Origin – Dominican
Filler – Dominican
Binder – Dominican
Wrapper Type – Maduro Oscuro
Origin- Nicaragua
Filler- Nicaraguan
Binder- Nicaraguan
Wrapper- Ecuadorian Sun Grown Habano
This 90 rated edition was appropriately named paying homage to Oliva’s founder. The interesting blend of tobaccos from four countries produces a mellow to medium bodied kind of crispy taste that’s unique for Oliva.
Origin – Nicaragua
Filler – Nicaraguan
Binder – Habano
Wrapper Type – Indonesian Sumatra
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.
If you’re a fan of Oliva cigars, you’ll agree that this company delivers what you pay for. While their super premiums are priced fairly considering the great sticks they are…….they ain’t cheap! When the Flor De Oliva bundles of value-priced premiums were launched, the company made it very clear that everyone can now enjoy their brand every day for around $3 each! Even those folks that smoked long cigars with big ring sizes.
The Original edition is a medium-bodied stick that burns slowly and increases in intensity as you move along. I’ve often smoked the Churchills halfway down and thrown the rest away without any guilt!
Origin – Nicaragua
Filler – Dominican-Nicaraguan
Binder – Nicaraguan
Wrapper Type – Connecticut Broadleaf-Sumatra
It’s hard to believe this Arturo Fuente made premium brand is approaching a 30th birthday. I was young and beautiful when I smoked my first one! While the blend of leaves is different from the company’s signature line, these well made, fairly priced, medium bodied, smooth tasting sticks have remained very popular over the years. I’ve often looked at them as kind of “comfort cigars”.
Filler: Dom. Rep.
Binder: Dom. Rep.
Wrapper: U.S.A./Conn. Shade
Country: Dominican Republic
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!
Those of us that have enjoyed Ashton’s Classic series over the years have become accustomed to their signature taste. When the Puro Sol edition was launched it was Ashton’s first venture into the medium bodied category. Bang! Not only did it get a 94 rating, it placed #7 of the top 25 best cigars of the year. So if you’ve enjoyed Ashton Classics, you must step up and try the Ashton Heritage Puro Sol flavorful beauty.
Country: Dominican Republic
Strength: Medium-Full
Wrapper: Ecuadorian Habano wrapper
Binder: Dominican
Filler: Dominican
ACCOLADES
Top 10 Cigars of the Year – Cigar Aficionado, 2012
Top 10 Cigars of the Year – Cigar Aficionado, 2008
Top 10 Cigars of the Year – Cigar Aficionado, 2005
Top 25 Cigars of the Year – Cigar Aficionado, 2021
Top 25 Cigars of the Year – Cigar Aficionado, 2004
94 Rated – Cigar Aficionado, May 2021
There’s a reason why this brand has been around forever. They’re very good cigars! The intricate three country blend has remained eerily consistent over decades. This mellow to medium bodied stick draws well, burns perfectly and has a smooth finish. What it lacks in marketing sizzle it more than makes up for in substance and character.
Origin – Honduras
Filler – Honduran-Nicaraguan
Binder – Nicaraguan
Wrapper Type – Ecuadorian Connecticut shade wrapper
The Matilde Oscura Grande is a luxurious and complex smoking experience featuring a meticulously selected blend of premium tobaccos that deliver a harmonious balance of flavors.
The highly critical folks at Cigar Dojo rate this great smoke a score of 92. Their description will give you all you need to know. “One of the most noticeably favorable aspects of the Oscura is its balance. There’s never too much of a certain flavor, or any harsh or unwanted qualities. In the last portion of the smoke, the full flavors are met with an increasing strength/body, which are around medium-full. Notes of oak, cinnamon, acidic coffee, and chicory balance out the end out the smoke from start to finish. This was a very interesting profile, offering a great balance of decadent, heavy chocolate sweetness against sharper notes of organic elements, with lots of oaks and root-like aspects—a great change of pace from today’s average maduro.”
It’s safe to say Matilde Oscura Grande is a winner!
Wrapper: San Andrés Mexican
Binder: Sumatra
Filler: Dominican Republic | Nicaragua | USA
Factory: Tabacalera la Matilde (Dominican Republic)
See the Matilde cigars available on The Cigar Thief HERE
