Top 25 Cigars of 2015 by Cigar Aficionado
This year we have seen a lot of great new cigars and alot of cigars become better. But it is always the talk of the town when Cigar Aficionado releases their picks. I would agree they always have some of the best listed, but there are a few times that they seem like they missed the mark on a score they have given some cigars. But I always like to share the finding they made and give my opinion to them, the biggest issue for me is if some of thier picks are not avliable where I live. So lets get in it....
#25 Sublimes Robusto Extra
MADE BY: TABACALERA A.J. FERNANDEZ CIGARS DE NICARAGUA S.A.
FACTORY LOCATION: NICARAGUA
WRAPPER: ECUADOR
BINDER: HONDURAS
FILLER: NICARAGUA
DIMENSIONS: 5 1/4" BY 52 RING GAUGE
PRICE: $6.90
RATING: 92
Now This to me was a good stick. This is a local Miami-made cigar, and came on the scene in 2011. However people have been smoking this since 2004, but with the move to A.j. Fernandez factory in Nicaragua.
#24 La Flor Dominicana Coronado Corona Especial
MADE BY: TABACALERA LA FLOR S.A.
FACTORY LOCATION: DOM. REP.
WRAPPER: NICARAGUA
BINDER: DOM. REP.
FILLER: DOM. REP.
DIMENSIONS: 5 7/8" BY 47 RING GAUGE
PRICE: $8.80
RATING: 92
This cigar made it's debute in 2006, but this year it placed 24. I have not had this Cigar yet, so I am unable to provide you with any ensite. What I can tell you is that people clam the combination of nutmeg and graham cracker with a subtle spice.
#23 NUB Cameroon 358
MADE BY: TABACALERA OLIVA S.A.
FACTORY LOCATION: NICARAGUA
WRAPPER: CAMEROON
BINDER: NICARAGUA
FILLER: NICARAGUA
DIMENSIONS: 3 3/4" BY 58 RING GAUGE
PRICE: $5.47
RATING: 92
This cigar I like, I have been a fan of the NUB cigars since the beginning. This NUB claim is that it takes no time to warm up or develop the cigar is flavorful and perfect portion. It is Perfect to the last draw.
#22 Padilla Miami 8&11 Torpedo
MADE BY: EL TITAN DE BRONZE
FACTORY LOCATION: U.S.A.
WRAPPER: ECUADOR
BINDER: ECUADOR
FILLER: NICARAGUA
DIMENSIONS: 6 1/2" BY 54 RING GAUGE
PRICE: $14.30
RATING: 92
I have not had the pleasure yet to smoke this stick. This was made first in Miami, then it wasn't, then it was again. But this cigar is rolled in Miami's El Titan de Broze factory on the corner of 8th street and 11th Avenue in Little Havana. So the name reflect the location of this boutique brand. Lite cocoa with notes of candied fruit and oak is one of the discriptions, sound amazing.
#21 Nat Sherman Timeless Collection Nicaragua 652T
MADE BY: PLASENCIA CIGARS S.A.
FACTORY LOCATION: NICARAGUA
WRAPPER: NICARAGUA
BINDER: NICARAGUA
FILLER: NICARAGUA
DIMENSIONS: 6" BY 52 RING GAUGE
PRICE: $8.50
RATING: 92
Nat Sherman Tobacconist has been on the New York smoking scene for more that eight decades, for those who do not know there were a few decades that Nat Sherman struggled to produce a national brand. This is a handsome boxpressed torpedo, a medium to full bodied and offering a rich range of molasses, oak and smeisweet chocolate.
#20 Espada by Motecristo Quillon
MADE BY: PLASENCIA CIGARS S.A.
FACTORY LOCATION: NICARAGUA
WRAPPER: NICARAGUA
BINDER: NICARAGUA
FILLER: NICARAGUA
DIMENSIONS: 7" BY 56 RING GAUGE
PRICE: $12.70
RATING: 92
Using the Spanish word Espada "Sword", it refers to the image on the band of the rapiers. This is described as a exceptional smoke offering the spice of gingersnap with a bit of cinnamon that builds to a sweet, spicy finish.
#19 The King Is Dead The Last Payday
MADE BY: CALDWELL CIGAR FACTORY
FACTORY LOCATION: DOM. REP.
WRAPPER: DOM. REP.
BINDER: DOM. REP.
FILLER: DOM. REP.
DIMENSIONS: 6" BY 52 RING GAUGE
PRICE: $10.50
RATING: 93
You got to love the names that Caldwell Cigar Factory uses for thier cigars. This blend is something that must be tried, Robert Caldwell was looking to source something diffrent. He uses a type called HVA 20/20, which is a Cuban hybrid developed by a Dominican grower Leo Reyes and is raely used. The wrapper is grown from another Dominican varietal called Negrito. When blended and rolled this becomes the "Last Payday", giving a nuance of maple sweetness and earth.
#18 Heritage by Dunhill Robusto
MADE BY: SCANDINAVIAN TOBACCO GROUP, DANLÍ
FACTORY LOCATION: HONDURAS
WRAPPER: ECUADOR
BINDER: NICARAGUA
FILLER: NICARAGUA, HONDURAS
DIMENSIONS: 5" BY 50 RING GAUGE
PRICE: $10.15
RATING: 93
If you know anything about the Dunhill line is that is was origanlly a Cuban brand, but was pruchase by British American Tobacco (BAT) and both made and distibuted by General Cigar Co. The first thing people who know this brand notice is that they brought back the "white rose" bands. This is a boxpressed Robusto and covered with the Ecuadoran Habano wrapper, the rest of this cigar is full of meaty, peppery flavors.
#17 La Mission du L'Atelier 1959
MADE BY: MY FATHER CIGARS S.A.
FACTORY LOCATION: NICARAGUA
WRAPPER: MEXICO
BINDER: NICARAGUA
FILLER: NICARAGUA
DIMENSIONS: 4 3/4" BY 52 RING GAUGE
PRICE: $8.00
RATING: 93
La Mission has a very good looking appearance: Box press, pigtail cap and a dark Mecican San Andres wrapper. I have yet to have the pleasure but this is something I will seek out in 2016. The flavors descriped are savory, leather and sweet baking spices.
#16 AVO Syncro Nicaragua Toro
MADE BY: CIGARS DAVIDOFF
FACTORY LOCATION: DOM. REP.
WRAPPER: ECUADOR
BINDER: DOM. REP.
FILLER: DOM. REP., NICARAGUA
DIMENSIONS: 6" BY 54 RING GAUGE
PRICE: $9.90
RATING: 93
AVO's first box pressed regular production cigar, and the first to use Nicaraguan tobacco. The cigar show notes of leather, minerals and a dried apricot sweetness.
#15 Alec Bradley Sanctum Toro
MADE BY: TABACOS DE ORIENTE
FACTORY LOCATION: HONDURAS
WRAPPER: HONDURAS
BINDER: COSTA RICA
FILLER: COLOMBIA, NICARAGUA, HONDURAS
DIMENSIONS: 6" BY 52 RING GAUGE
PRICE: $7.75
RATING: 93
Ralph Montero a company executibe came up with this project, the name is chosen for the time given to the enjoyment of a cigar. Combo of Honduran Corojo wrapper, Costa Rican binder and the multination filler it is something that I would love to try. I have read that the flavors of white pepper and cinnamon to vanilla bean and almond. This sounds like a good stick, sadly I have to say I have not smoked very many Alec Bradley cigars.
#14 Trinidad Vigia
MADE BY: N/A
FACTORY LOCATION: CUBA
WRAPPER: CUBA
BINDER: CUBA
FILLER: CUBA
DIMENSIONS: 4 3/8" BY 54 RING GAUGE
PRICE: £20.90
RATING: 94
Sadly this is one cigar I will not be able to try since it is not avalible to the American market. It started as a commercially unavailable cigar reserved for diplomats and dignitaries. Once the brand was released to the public in 1998, it came in one long, thin size called Fundadores. Signature pigtail cap, its heavy ring gauge, earth truffle notes, oak, and warm nutty finish.
#13 Laranja Reserva Toro
MADE BY: LA ZONA CIGARS S.A.
FACTORY LOCATION: NICARAGUA
WRAPPER: BRAZIL
BINDER: NICARAGUA
FILLER: NICARAGUA
DIMENSIONS: 6" BY 52 RING GAUGE
PRICE: $10.90
RATING: 94
Laranja is the Portuguese word for Orange, so with that said I can quess the type of flavor I will experance. The funny part is that the wrapper has a unique orange hue to it, was this the whole idea I wonder? Flavors that cigar smoker have descriped are graham crasker flavor with citrus like quality and zest. This is something I would like to try in 2016.
#12 La Boheme Pittore
MADE BY: TABACALERA PALMA
FACTORY LOCATION: DOM. REP.
WRAPPER: ECUADOR
BINDER: DOM. REP.
FILLER: DOM. REP.
DIMENSIONS: 5 1/8" BY 52 RING GAUGE
PRICE: $11.94
RATING: 94
Pittore is a memorable smoke made with well-aged tobaccos from the inventories of José “Jochy” Blanco in the Dominican Republic. The combination of Ecuadoran Habano wrapper and Cuban-seed tobaccos has all the dynamic range of an operatic performance, hitting baritone notes like earth and ripe fruit, all the way to bright soprano tones of spice, ending with a midrange nutty finish.
#11 Hammer & Sickle Tradicion Serie Churchill
MADE BY: TABADOM
FACTORY LOCATION: DOM. REP.
WRAPPER: ECUADOR
BINDER: DOM. REP.
FILLER: DOM. REP.
DIMENSIONS: 7" BY 48 RING GAUGE
PRICE: $8.99
RATING: 94
Eric Hanson, who released his first Hammer + Sickle brand in 2010, has adopted the symbol of Russia as the cigar’s logo. He points out that the hammer and sickle does not represent the Soviet Union (which incorporated a star), but symbolizes Russia’s industrial north and agrarian south. For him, it’s a heritage symbol and not political. This churchill is decribed as floral quality, touches of nutmeg and a sweet earth flavor let on the palate.
#10 Liga Privada No. 9 Corona Doble
MADE BY: LA GRAN FABRICA DREW ESTATE
FACTORY LOCATION: NICARAGUA
WRAPPER: U.S.A./CONN. BROADLEAF
BINDER: BRAZIL
FILLER: HONDURAS, NICARAGUA
DIMENSIONS: 7" BY 54 RING GAUGE
PRICE: $16.70
RATING: 94
Every puff of the Corona Doble seems to make a bold statement with a complex range of strong earthy flavors, a sweet quality redolent of perique tobacco and a sweet tarry finish. For me this is a only be a cigar I try if I was given as a gift. Price point is high for a Drew Estate who is now Swisher International (acquired Drew Estates).
#9 Bolivar Belicoso Fino
MADE BY: N/A
FACTORY LOCATION: CUBA
WRAPPER: CUBA
BINDER: CUBA
FILLER: CUBA
DIMENSIONS: 5 1/2" BY 52 RING GAUGE
PRICE: £17.96
RATING: 94
This is another Cuban That unable to get in America. But understand that the brand started in 1902 and features a bold, prominent portrait of the man on both the brand and the boxes. This would be considered the strongest smoke in the brand earthy smoke, heavy mineral, raw cocoa and coffee bean flavors.
#8 Ashton Symmetry Robusto
MADE BY: TABACALERA A. FUENTE Y CIA.
FACTORY LOCATION: DOM. REP.
WRAPPER: ECUADOR
BINDER: DOM. REP.
FILLER: DOM. REP., NICARAGUA
DIMENSIONS: 5" BY 50 RING GAUGE
PRICE: $12.00
RATING: 94
With Ashton Distributors Inc releasing the first new cigar in nearly a decade, the company decided the market was ready for Ashton Symmerty. The whole idea behind this cigar was the balance, taking Nicaraguan and Dominican tobaccos and skillfully blend them. Results of this blend is notes of nougat, toast, chicory and nuts until the last puff of this cigar.
#7 The Edge Habano Torpedo
MADE BY: TABACALERA VILLA CUBANA S.A. (TAVICUSA)
FACTORY LOCATION: NICARAGUA
WRAPPER: NICARAGUA
BINDER: NICARAGUA
FILLER: NICARAGUA
DIMENSIONS: 6" BY 52 RING GAUGE
PRICE: $6.55
RATING: 94
I have to be the first to say "I am not a big fan of Rocky Patel", however that does not mean I will not try something they make. What I have read of the blend I think I may try this, I am a fan of Nicaraguan Cigars. This cigar is using all three regions of tobacco from Nicaragua - Esteli, Condega and Jalapa. Blend of wood, spice, hickory and leather sound like a good mix.
#6 Illusione Ultra Op. No. 9
MADE BY: TABACOS VALLE DE JALAPA S.A. (TABSA)
FACTORY LOCATION: NICARAGUA
WRAPPER: NICARAGUA
BINDER: NICARAGUA
FILLER: NICARAGUA
DIMENSIONS: 5 1/2" BY 56 RING GAUGE
PRICE: $11.50
RATING: 94
This is said to be 2015 best example of a strong, spicy Nicaraguan blend that can be compared to a pint of coffee stout. To be honest I have yet to tray a coffee stout, so I will be looking for this cigar and a stout in 2016.
#5 Padron Family Reserve 50 Years Natural
MADE BY: TABACOS CUBANICA S.A.
FACTORY LOCATION: NICARAGUA
WRAPPER: NICARAGUA
BINDER: NICARAGUA
FILLER: NICARAGUA
DIMENSIONS: 5" BY 54 RING GAUGE
PRICE: $25.00
RATING: 94
One of the brands that I think of when someone is talking about cigars is Padron. This is a mark of the company's 50th anniversary. Jose Orlando Padron the company patriarch began selling fumas style cigars for .25 cents a peice in Miami, and today he is one of the most respected names in the industry. This box pressing, perfect draw has plenty of body, earth, cocoa and coffee.
#4 Arturo Fuente Don Carlos Belicoso
MADE BY: TABACALERA A. FUENTE Y CIA.
FACTORY LOCATION: DOM. REP.
WRAPPER: CAMEROON
BINDER: DOM. REP.
FILLER: DOM. REP.
DIMENSIONS: 5 3/8" BY 52 RING GAUGE
PRICE: $11.75
RATING: 94
This is something to try with the fact that there are not many cigar makers using a Cameroon wrapper on a cigar since it is quite expensive, rough apperance and very temperamental. This brand was named after Carlos Funente Sr., patriarch of the Fuente family, Fuente Sr. recently turned 80 years old and this is something that was designed to reflect his personal taste. Refined and delicious it has a nutty and sweet/sour finish.
#3 CAO Flathead V660 Carb
MADE BY: SCANDINAVIAN TOBACCO GROUP, ESTELÍ
FACTORY LOCATION: NICARAGUA
WRAPPER: U.S.A./CONN. BROADLEAF
BINDER: U.S.A./CONN. HABANO
FILLER: NICARAGUA, DOM. REP
DIMENSIONS: 6" BY 60 RING GAUGE
PRICE: $8.39
RATING: 95
I must say I have been a fan of this cigar since it's beginning, I love the whole throw back to engines. This cigar is a dark Connecticut broadleaf wrapper and the combination of Nicaraguan ligeroand Dominican Piloto Cubano tobacco. This squared off cigar takes off with notes of ripe fruit, leather and molasses.
#2 Ramon Allones Specially Selected
MADE BY: N/A
FACTORY LOCATION: CUBA
WRAPPER: CUBA
BINDER: CUBA
FILLER: CUBA
DIMENSIONS: 4 7/8" BY 50 RING GAUGE
PRICE: £15.76
RATING: 96
This is a smaller brand that comes out of Cuba, but the fans of a mor full bodied tobacco know exactly who this brand is. This company founded in 1837 it is one of the oldest brands still in production. Unable to get in the American markets this cigar is the rave were ever Cuban's are avalible. Each puff described as layered with earthy espesso bean with notes of marzipan and citrus.
#1 My Father Le Bijou 1922 Torpedo Box Pressed
MADE BY: MY FATHER CIGARS S.A.
FACTORY LOCATION: NICARAGUA
WRAPPER: NICARAGUA
BINDER: NICARAGUA
FILLER: NICARAGUA
DIMENSIONS: 6 1/8" BY 52 RING GAUGE
PRICE: $11.40
RATING: 97
This is the first time I have ever read about the top cigar picks and the number one pick matches what I would consider one of the best cigars. I have had this cigar in a couple of sizes and the Torpedo Box Press is the better shape. This brand was created by Jaime Garcia to honor his father Pepin, Pepin decided to honor his own father with an off shoot brand called My Father Le Bijou 1922. Unlike the originals which used a Ecuadoran cover leaf, the LeBijou are using a dark and stronger Nicaraguan leaf. The name Le Bijou "Jewel" in french along with the 1922 birth year of Jose Garcia the father to Jose "Pepin" Garcia shows the achivement of the Garcia family. The flavors I love in this stick dark chocolate, raisins, leather, with a sweet and salty.
