Cigar Snob Magazine January February 2022 by Cigar Snob Magazine

JANUARY / FEBRUARY 2022

The

BEST CIGARS of

And the

2021

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editorials JANUARY / FEBRUARY 2022

22 MANCAVE ESSENTIALS You love smoke? You love cocktails? We’ve got a brilliant way to smoke your drinks in the comfort of your mancave.

25 5 TO TRY: DIGESTIF Whether it’s distilled from grapes and infused with orange essence, made of French apples and pears, or set on fire with a coffee bean in it; after-dinner drinks are meant to help you digest a big meal, that’s why they’re called digestifs. Here are five very different digestifs expertly paired with an excellent smoke.

GRAND MARNIER CUVÉE LOUIS-ALEXANDRE / ILLUSIONE ULTRA

COMTE LOUIS DE LAURISTON CALVADOS DOMFRONTAIS V.S.O.P / AVO SYNCRO CARIBE

GODIVA CHOCOLATE LIQUEUR / SOUTHERN DRAW ROSE OF SHARON

MIAMI CLUB CUBAN COFFEE RUM LIQUEUR / LA AURORA 115TH ANNIVERSARY

ROMANA BLACK / SUNDAY GRAVY BY DIESEL

53 TOP 25 CIGARS What do you get when you ask our tasting panel to smoke, re-smoke, and rank the best cigars of the previous year? Our annual Top 25 list is here and it’s a good one! Don’t forget to snag the perforated list before heading to your favorite tobacconist.

65 LOOK AHEAD 2022 Smoking sages get down to some prognosticating for our new year. Their crystal ball offers a mostly sunny outlook for everyone, tempered with some cautionary calls.

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features JANUARY / FEBRUARY 2022

14 LETTER FROM THE PUBLISHER

16 FEEDBACK

18 WHAT’S BURNIN’

38 THE OSCAR FEATURING OSCAR VALLADARES

71 RATINGS

90 TWITTER SCOREBOARD

92 INSTAGRAM SCOREBOARD

94 EVENTS 94 iMORDECAI PREMIERE 96 SHORE THING CIGARS WHITE PARTY 98 DAVIDOFF GOLDEN BAND AWARDS 100 CIGARS UNDER THE STARS WITH MONTECRISTO

101 SMOKE THIS 102 CIGAR HERITAGE FESTIVAL 104 OLIVA NIGHT AT CUBA UNDER THE STARS

106 CREATIVAS ANNUAL TOY DRIVE 108 EXIT ONE TAPROOM AND OLIVA CIGARS

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JANUARY / FEBRUARY 2022

VO L . 1 4 IS SU E 1 www.cigarsnob.com PUBLISHER & EDITOR Erik Calviño SENIOR EDITOR Steve Miller COPY EDITOR Michael LaRocca SALES & OPERATIONS DIRECTOR Oscar M. Calviño PRODUCTION DIRECTOR Ivan Ocampo ART DIRECTOR Andy Astencio ADVERTISING COORDINATOR Jamilet Calviño DIGITAL RETOUCHING SPECIALIST Ramón Santana DIGITAL CONTENT MANAGEMENT Gianni D’Alerta Natalia Marie García CONTRIBUTING PHOTOGRAPHERS David Benoliel Andy Astencio EVENT PHOTOGRAPHERS Jamilet Calviño Natalia Marie Garcia Kevin Martin Triana Brower @trianarosephoto David Renna Cover Photography by David Benoliel www.davidbenolielphotography.com Cover Model - Nienke Jansz Cigar Snob is published bi-monthly by Lockstock Publications, Inc. 1421-1 SW 107th Ave., #253 Miami, FL 33174-2509 Tel: 1 (786) 423-1015 Cigar Snob is a registered trademark of Lockstock Publications, Inc., all rights reserved. Reproduction in part or full without written permission from the publisher is prohibited. Cigar Snob is printed in the U.S. Contents copyright 2006, Lockstock Publications, Inc. To subscribe, visit www.cigarsnob.com

(SUBSCRIBE TODAY) - Only $18 for one year (six issues) of -

- Magazine delivered to you Visit: www.cigarsnob.com or write: subscribe@cigarsnobmag.com

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The Art, Tradition, and Style of Cuba.

MYFATHERCIGARS.COM

I try to stick to positivity and taking care of my family, friends, and business. But even I have to admit that it has been difficult to stand by and watch our government, which we’ve elected to serve us, repeatedly betray the American people. Even worse, we see appointed bureaucrats do incredible harm using public money, all the while reaping massive financial windfalls from investments directly tied to their policies. They do it in plain sight, and no amount of Senate hearings or public outcries slow them down. And it could be getting even worse. As I’m writing this letter, in the midst of a plummeting approval rating that hits a new low every time you check, President Biden has chosen Dr. Robert Califf to head the Food and Drug Administration. During a “pandemic” that has mandated and over-vaccinated away the public’s trust in government institutions, the president has chosen a man who couldn’t be deeper into the pockets of the pharmaceutical industry if he wanted to. Throughout the course of his career, Dr. Califf has accumulated millions of dollars in shares of pharmaceutical companies’ stock while sitting on their boards. He’s been on the payroll of those companies during his stints in private life, and he’s worked to relax testing standards for new drugs during his time at the FDA. I could spend the rest of this letter detailing examples of just how deep and conflicting his ties are with big Pharma but unfortunately there’s more. He’s also in tight with Google, making his nomination all the more frightening. Sadly many of the senators on both sides of the aisle who will vote to confirm Dr. Califf have substantial ties to big Pharma themselves. I had hoped to start 2022 with an upbeat letter that would start the year off on a chipper note but I simply cannot, and I’m typically the overly optimistic one. I feel like we’re trapped in a strange life-imitating-art reality mash-up of the House of Cards Netflix series and the 1979 Peter Sellers classic, Being There. All I can offer in the way of good news is that the events of the past two years have demonstrated to an entire generation of young Americans who previously took their freedoms for granted a glimmer of what it is like when those freedoms are taken away, even for a brief time. It has showed them what socialist-style barren shelves look like in supermarkets and that hollow feeling that comes with walking down that useless, empty aisle. We’ll have a group of young people who won’t have to rely on their college professors to teach them about the dangers of government overreach because they have experienced it first-hand. Lastly, they’ve witnessed the lies from the media and have become savvier about where they get their news at a time when there are more alternatives than ever before. There’s a little optimism left in me yet!

CMJ

incredible team for pulling off this very difficult shoot, and to our dear friend George Cabrera of Broadway Factor for all of his guidance and assistance. We could not have done it without your help. Thank you. To gain some insight into what we can expect from the cigar business in the coming year, we asked more than a dozen industry experts to Read the Tobacco Leaves and tell us what they see from their unique vantage point; you can find that story on page 65. We also collaborated with our friends at Total Wine for another 5 to Try, this time featuring after-dinner drinks. That starts on page 25. There’s much more in this issue but I’d like to take a moment to congratulate our friend Marvin Samel on the premiere of his film iMordecai. We had the privilege of attending the premiere at the opening night of the Miami Jewish Film Festival to a packed house. Read about the film and check out our coverage of the premiere on page 94. I pray that you have a happy and healthy 2022. Enjoy every day above ground, enjoy and exercise your freedoms, cherish your time with friends and family, and continue to enjoy your passion for premium cigars.

*** Let’s turn the page and get to the good stuff in this issue. We crowned the Cigar of the Year along with 24 other fantastic cigars that made up our Top 25 Cigars of 2021. Congratulations to all of the winners. Turn to page 53 to see the entire list and don’t forget to tear out the handy guide and take it to your local tobacconist to help you pick your next smoke. Sticking with the awards ceremony theme, we produced a fashion shoot titled The Oscar featuring the Dutch beauty Nienke Jansz starting on page 38. Thank you to Oscar Valladares for providing the cigars, to our

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Keep ‘em lit,

Erik Calviño ecalvino@cigarsnobmag.com

BON VOYAGE Dear Snob, I really like your publication... You are continually making it better and I love that you guys aren’t afraid of expressing your opinions. I enjoyed the Sept/Oct issue while on a Virgin Voyages cruise out of Miami. They had a “Cigar Lounge”. Basically a room with chairs, slot machines, a couple of windows and a bunch of cigarette smokers. Not a very cigar friendly experience/cruise. I am taking a Royal Caribbean cruise out of Galveston in a month (hopefully the world has calmed down by then). They supposedly have a real cigar lounge, so, I am hoping to catch up on some reading with a good stick and an aged rum. Thank you again. Michael S. Via feedback@cigarsnobmag.com

Thanks for the kind words, Michael. We definitely try to up the ante in every issue. And speaking of ante, who doesn’t appreciate a good slot machine and a great cigar on the high seas after dancing the night away to the electric slide? We know we do, and it sounds like you do as well. Be on the lookout for cigar cruises to set sail again after being halted for covid - specifically from Rocky Patel Cigars, which hosts one of the best cigar cruises around.

LIVE AND LET LIVE I hope that all cigar lounges will be closed in the United States five years from today! Also, promoting tobacco usage is so gross and wrong! (link to tobaccofreekids.org) Sara R. Via feedback@cigarsnobmag.com

At Cigar Snob, we feel everyone is entitled to his or her opinion - including you Sara. We believe that adults should be free to do whatever they feel like doing within reasonable limits. This includes enjoying a legal product like cigars and reading a magazine such as ours. Or not. Your insinuation that we promote cigars to children is laughable. Kids do not read our magazine and proceed to the schoolyard to smoke a $10 Nicaraguan toro covered with a toothy, Mexican San Andrés wrapper. That will never happen. Fortunately, you are in the minority with regard to premium cigar smoking. Most responsible adults, whether they enjoy cigars or not, would not do away with someone’s legal livelihood or the tax revenue that it brings. Responsible adults will continue to enjoy these artisanal, handmade, natural products in their homes or in cigar lounges well past the five years you are wishing them away.

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MYFATHERCIGARS.COM

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AGANORSA LEAF RELEASES NEW EDITION OF GUARDIAN OF THE FARM Aganorsa Leaf announces Cerberus, an addition to its Guardian of the Farm line, to be released in Q1 of 2022. Named after the mythical threeheaded hound that stood watch at the gates of Hades, the Nicaraguan puro uses Aganorsa Leaf tobacco wrapped in a Corojo 2012 cover leaf, the first proprietary blend from Aganorsa to use the new wrapper. The Cerberus comes in 15-count boxes and three sizes: 6 ¼ x 52, 6 x 44, and 5 x 54. There is also a limited-edition 200 10-count boxes of a 6 x 52 toro, offered as a sneak preview to members of the CIGAR.com Elite Advantage Loyalty Program. “Corojo 2012 is going to add another level of complexity to Aganorsa Leaf ’s signature flavor and aroma,” Terence Reilly, the brand’s vice president of sales and marketing, said in a statement. “We wanted to utilize it first on the Cerberus because Guardian of the Farm is most popular with cigar enthusiasts…”

FERIO TEGO METROPOLITAN SELECTION IS NOW AVAILABLE Ferio Tego is now shipping the Metropolitan Selection, composed of five blends, made in three countries. The Metropolitan Connecticut and Maduro are manufactured in the Dominican Republic, with a blend of Dominican fillers and binder and available in either a Connecticut Shade or a Connecticut Broadleaf Maduro wrapper. The Metropolitan Habano is a Nicaraguan puro, while the Metropolitan Host and Host Maduro come from Honduras. The Metropolitan Selection is offered in 18-count boxes, except the Banker in boxes of ten. Prices range between $7 and $11 per stick. “Ferio Tego Metropolitan Selection is an important part of our portfolio. It is made up of blends that embody the most traditional expressions of their origins,” Michael Herklots, Ferio Tego co-owner, said in a statement. “Many of these blends were created more than twenty-five years ago and have been painstakingly maintained year after year.” Ferio Tego is distributed in the United States

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by Davidoff of Geneva, USA.

MASTERING THE ART OF CIGAR MAKING: H. UPMANN NICARAGUA AJ FERNANDEZ HERITAGE Altadis U.S.A. has teamed up with blending master AJ Fernandez for the H. Upmann, Nicaragua AJ Fernandez Heritage, which debuted at the Tobacco Plus Expo in January. The cigar comes in a 5.5 x 44 Corona ($9.75), a 5 x 52 Robusto ($9.99), a 6 x 54 Toro ($10.35), a 6 1/8 x 52 Torpedo ($10.50) and a 7 x 54 Churchill ($10.75). It comes with a Brazilian Mata Fina triple fermented wrapper over a Habano Nicaraguan binder and filler. The brand describes the Heritage as having “a medium to full-bodied smoke with an earthy aroma, natural sweetness and spice.”

DREW ESTATE NOW SHIPPING 20 ACRE FARM Drew Estate’s newest cigar, the ultra-premium 20 Acre Farm, is now shipping to tobacco retailers nationwide. Unveiled during Drew Estate’s “Freestyle Live: Special Edition” broadcast on Nov. 11th, 20 Acre Farm is a medium-bodied cigar with oaky and cedary notes accompanied by a whisper of white pepper and a hint of citrus. Built at La Gran Fabrica Drew Estate in Nicaragua using an Ecuadorian Connecticut Shade Grown wrapper, Honduran Habano binder, and a filler blend of Nicaraguan tobaccos from Estelí and Jalapa in balance with the opulent and majestic Florida Sun Grown leaf, which is grown and harvested by Jeff Borysiewicz near the Central Florida town of Clermont. “The amount of fun I experienced unveiling 20 Acre Farm with Drew Estate during Freestyle Live Special Edition was intense and I’m extremely proud of the cigar,” Borysiewicz said in a statement. “20 Acre Farm is a masterpiece that showcases our Florida Sun Grown tobacco while enhancing the sophisticated smoking characteristics of the other tobaccos in the blend, especially the Connecticut Shade Grown wrapper.” “20 Acre Farm is a brand with both purpose and promise,” Jonathan Drew, founder and president of Drew Estate, said in a press release. “While many of y’all might think of Drew Estate as a bunch of roughneck reservoir dogs, this is

really only partially true. We also have a very elegant side to us, a classy side if you will. The brand promise speaks to our love affair with this 20-acre plot of dirt in Florida that we continue to nourish year after year. Our brand promise is actually to the farm, kinda like that book about ‘the little engine that could.’ We’re simply in love with that farm.” Packaged in beautiful 20-count boxes, 20 Acre Farm cigars are available in three vitolas: Toro (6 x 52), with an MSRP of $13.40/cigar or $268/box; Robusto (5 ¼ x 54), with an MSRP of $12.40/ cigar or $248/box; and Gordito (6 x 60), with an MSRP of $15.40/cigar or $308/box.

ROCKY PATEL CREATES A MADURO FOR SANTA CLARA EXCLUSIVE OFFERINGS The Rocky Patel Freedom brand introduces a Maduro to the line it produces for distributor Santa Clara. The third offering in the line comes in 20-count boxes in a 5.5 x 50 Robusto ($5.78/$115.60), a 6 x 52 Toro ($6.35/$127) and a 6 x 60 Sixty ($6.94/$138.80). The Freedom Maduro comes with Nicaraguan tobacco for the filler and binder and a dark Nicaraguan Habano Oscuro wrapper. The original Rocky Patel Freedom, a medium- to full-bodied smoke with an Ecuadorian wrapper, was crafted to represent Rocky’s continued effort to fight for the cigar industry’s freedom from onerous regulation. It was followed up by a Connecticut version. Now, the maduro is bringing something new to the brand. “With the success of Rocky Patel Freedom and Freedom Connecticut, we fully expect the Maduro release to be a big hit with adult cigar smokers,” David Joyce, director of wholesale operations for Santa Clara, said in a statement. “It is specially made for Santa Clara by Rocky Patel, a proven name and brand that should be part of any retail humidor’s regular cigar rotation.”

CAO AMAZON BASIN RETURNS CAO is bringing back the Amazon Basin, which debuted in 2014, to U.S. retailers. The 6 x 52 will come in 18-count boxes at $12.99 a stick. Rare tobacco from a remote region in the Amazonian Rainforest in Brazil inspired the creation of the CAO Amazon Basin. The tobacco is harvested

every three years and seedlings are transplanted a yard apart from each other, resulting in a lesser yield than other tobacco plants. The leaves are rolled by hand into tubes called “carottes” where they undergo six months of natural fermentation. They are then transported out of the rainforest by canoe, taken to the mainland, and ultimately brought to the Scandinavian Tobacco Group factory in Esteli, Nicaragua. In producing the Amazon Basin, the Brazilian leaf takes center stage in the filler, which also contains Dominican and Colombian tobacco. It comes with an Ecuadorian Sumatra wrapper over a Nicaraguan binder. Handcrafted at STG Esteli, the medium-bodied CAO blend is earthy and nutty with notes of caramel, briny nuances and a dry finish. “When we launched Amazon Basin, we had a unique opportunity to use Amazonian tobacco before anyone else in the world had used it,” CAO Master Blender Rick Rodriguez said in a statement. “It gives us great pleasure to re-introduce

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this incredible blend and share the extraordinary smoking experience it delivers with our fans.”

QUEEN CITY CIGAR FEST ANNOUNCED FOR MAY The second annual Queen City Cigar Fest in Charlotte, North Carolina will take place May 18-22, with lounge-hopping and multiple events across the city. The fest kicks off with a VIP signature gathering at the Cigar Loft in downtown Concord, followed by a Welcome to Charlotte event at Tailored Smoke Cigar Lounge, as happenings take place throughout the five days and end with the daytime Sticks & Sundresses event. The Queen City Cigar Fest is hosted by cigar podcaster, event host, model, and social media influencer Elegant Plume, a.k.a. Drida McGlown. She is producing the event in partnership with Sarah Martin, CEO of Experience Epic Events. McGlown and Martin met at a cigar festival in

South Florida and bonded over the love of cigars and the cigar culture. Their link helped them to re-envision cigar festivals, which has resulted in the Queen City Cigar Fest. The debut Queen City Cigar Fest last year drew 800 people, and they expect over 1,000 attendees this year. All-Access VIP Packages are on sale now for $225 which includes access to all events during the fest as well as early admission cocktail hour, and skip-the-line access, complimentary lounge membership fees, cigars and cigar swag bag, and commemorative t-shirt. Saturday-only passes are $185 and socialite tickets are $50. Face coverings will be required when not smoking or drinking. For more information on tickets, sponsors, vendors and accommodations, visit queencitycigarfest.com For immediate updates, follow the Queen City Cigar Fest social media pages at instagram.com/queencitycigarfest and facebook. com/queencitycigarfest.

ESSENtIALS cience should be a mancave staple, and this infuser is sure to bring out the Pasteur in you. It’s a device that will smoke your cocktail under glass, using gravity that pulls smoke from a bowl and into a glass globe that, when rotated, sends the cooled smoke through a tube and into a high-quality glass cloche, which holds your cocktail. The smoke will flavor that drink, and you control just how much.

Stündenglass

Gravity Beverage Infuser

What we especially dig is what we can use to flavor our beverage. While Stündenglass advises its finely chopped wood chips available in apple, oak, pecan and hickory, we’re thinking cigar, of course. Chop the foot off your cigar, put that in the bowl, and infuse an Old Fashioned with some premium cigar smoke. The design, meanwhile, is pure mantuary; the black with aircraft grade aluminum finish gives the infuser an industrial look.

stundenglass.com / Infuser: $599.95 / Cloche: $149.95

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DIGESTIFS

DIGESTIF IS JUST A FANCY WAY OF SAYING AFTER-DINNER DRINK, A BEVERAGE MEANT TO HELP YOU DIGEST A BIG MEAL. NATURALLY ANY ALCOHOLIC BEVERAGE CAN BE USED IN THIS MANNER – I PERSONALLY LOVE RYE WHISKEY AFTER DINNER – BUT THESE 5 ARE PRIMARILY DIGESTIFS. I TRIED TO

PUT TOGETHER AN ASSORTMENT OF DRINKS COMBINING FAMILIAR PRODUCTS AND STUFF YOU MAY HAVE NEVER HEARD OF. THE CHALLENGE HERE WAS FINDING A CIGAR THAT COULD BE ENJOYED WITH THE AFTER-DINNER DRINK WITHOUT OVERPOWERING IT OR VICE VERSA.

GRAND MARNIER CUVÉE LOUIS-ALEXANDRE doesn’t seem like much of a stretch. Heck, my mom and I have family competitions to see who makes the best homemade digestif every year for the holidays. However, oranges were among the most exotic and luxurious of fruits in 19th century France and cognac was sacrosanct so blending something into it was nearly blasphemous. Louis-Alexandre cut through all of that. He saw something that no one else did. Oranges are exotic and luxurious and cognac is revered and delicious, so why not combine them? By 1876 Louis-Alexandre married Eugene’s daughter Julia and La Maison Marnier Lapostolle was born. In the interest of not losing anyone on this journey La Maison means The House of Marnier Lapostolle, the new name of the family business.

while it is still green. They pick and peel these green, bitter oranges from their plantations in Haiti, then sun dry the peels before shipping them to France where they macerate the peels in neutral alcohol for 3 weeks to tease out as much flavor and aroma as possible. They also sweeten them with refined beet sugar. The infused alcohol is then slow-distilled resulting in what they term essence de orange, an intense orange liqueur. This orange essence is so potent in flavor and aroma that the Grand Marnier Cuvée Louis-Alexandre is made up of 82% V.S.O.P. cognac and only 18% orange essence. The orange on the nose and palate is absolutely unmistakable and quite delicious.

TASTING NOTES There’s an immediate essence of candied mandarin in the forefront with dried fruit, floral, and a hint of white oak in the background. The body is quite full and balanced with a beautifully dry characteristic lurking behind the sweet, intense orange flavor. It is a wonderful after-dinner drink that can be enjoyed neat or with an ice cube to help soften up the sweet orange and lighten the body a touch.

Illusione ULTRA

COGNAC AND ORANGE LIQUEUR 40% ABV

PAIRING NOTES STROKE OF GENIUS

Louis-Alexandre Marnier

Jean-Baptiste Lapostolle founded his humble distillery in Neauphle-le-Château just outside of Paris in 1827 with the goal of distilling fine fruit liqueurs using apricot and cherry among others. In 1870 Jean-Baptiste’s son Eugene, who was by now running the business, visited the Cognac region and was immediately impressed by what he saw and tasted. He returned to Neauphle-le-Château with cases of fine cognac. While tasting these incredible cognacs, Eugene’s assistant Louis-Alexandre Marnier came up with what was at the time a crazy idea; to blend fine cognac with orange liqueur. For any liquor tinkerer living today, this

BITTERSWEET SYMPHONY

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Nose a glass of Grand Marnier and the sweet, unmistakable aroma of intense orange grabs you instantly. Your mind pictures a beautiful Valencia orange picked at the peak of sweetness. There’s no other place for your mind to go and yet it couldn’t be farther from reality. Shockingly the orange varietal used to make Grand Marnier is actually Bigarade, more commonly known as Seville orange or bitter orange. If you’re Hispanic, it’s the sour stuff used to marinade meats, “naranja agria”. To go even further, they pick this bitter orange

THE ILLUSIONE ULTRA IS A COMPLEX AND FLAVORFUL SMOKE HIGHLIGHTED BY NOTES OF CEDAR, TOAST, ROASTED NUTS, AND SMOOTH PEPPER. THE INTERPLAY BETWEEN THE CEDAR AND THE ROASTED NUTS FROM THE CIGAR AND THE ORANGE AND DRIED FRUIT FROM THE GRAND MARNIER CUVÉE LOUIS-ALEXANDRE IS ABSOLUTELY DELIGHTFUL. THE PEPPER FROM THE ILLUSIONE ULTRA MANAGES TO TAME THE ORANGE JUST ENOUGH TO ALLOW MORE TRADITIONAL COGNAC FLAVORS TO COME TO THE FOREFRONT.

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COMTE LOUIS DE LAURISTON CALVADOS DOMFRONTAIS V.S.O.P. west France and has more apple orchards than anywhere else in France. Finding new and creative ways to consume apples has been a way of life in these parts for centuries. The first written account of apple cider distillation dates back to 1553 when Gilles de Gouberville, locally credited with the invention of cider eau-de-vie and by extension Calvados, wrote about stills and eau-de-vie in his memoirs. Considering that the Arabs introduced the method of distillation in 12th century, it’s likely that the practice of crushing apples, the pressing, fermenting, and distilling of them, was employed well before the de Gouberville wrote about it. The product that we now know as calvados was nothing more than a local specialty enjoyed by the people of Normandy until the mid-1800s. Advancements in transportation brought about increased commerce and tourism to Normandy’s seaside towns, exposing more and more people to what was by now a fully elaborated product. This emergence of calvados coincided with what we now know as the Great French Wine Blight, an aphid infestation that destroyed many of the country’s vineyards. Interest in calvados skyrocketed.

Enter the Secretary General of the Farmer’s Federation, a man by the name of Count Louis de Lauriston. He had been alerted to the mess in Domfrontais and arrived in time to find a peaceful way out of the increasingly tense impasse. The Count, or Comte in French, negotiated the fines be cancelled on the condition that a cooperative be created to cellar, market, and distribute the Domfrontais farmers’ calvados. Since 1962, calvados distilled by these farmers using their time-tested methods has been cellared by the cooperative and marketed and distributed under the brand name Comte Louis de Lauriston and has received over 200 medals in spirit competitions since. Well played Louis, well played.

TASTING NOTES The nose on the Comte Louis de Lauriston Calvados Domfrontais V.S.O.P. is loaded with apples and pears. No real surprise there considering that Domfrontais calvados must be made up of at least 30% pear, but additionally there are nuanced notes of oak, vanilla, and a touch of ginger. The palate follows more of the same, delivered with a crisp freshness along a light to medium body.

FRENCH MOONSHINERS REVOLT

CALVADOS 42% ABV

CALVADOS Much like cognac, champagne, and bordeaux, calvados is a product and a region. The region of Calvados is located in Normandy in north-

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The period after World War II ushered in a time of exuberance and celebration in France. In an effort to slow down the consumption of alcohol and likely to pay down wartime debt, the government implemented higher taxes and more restrictions on distillation practices. The Domfrontais region of Calvados, home to countless small family farms separated by high and thick hedges, turned out to be an ideal location to circumvent these new taxes and restrictions. Farmer distillers would crank up the stills illicitly on nights when it was unlikely that government officials would be around to supervise until one night in 1962 when the government caught on to the operation and busted in on the bootleggers mid-distillation. Who needs the Internet when you’re a small farming community? Before long a crowd of neighboring farmers showed up in support of their bootlegging brethren. The government officials were surrounded by the angry mob of farmers and it didn’t look like a peaceful resolution was possible.

AVO Syncro Caribe

PAIRING NOTES THE AVO CARIBE IS SMOOTH AND CREAMY WITH A MILD- TO MEDIUMBODIED PROFILE OF CEDAR, SWEET SPICE, TANNED LEATHER, AND A TOUCH OF WHITE PEPPER. COMBINED WITH THE LOUIS DE LAURISTON CALVADOS DOMFRONTAIS V.S.O.P., THE CIGAR’S CREAMINESS IS CRANKED UP AND INTEGRATED WITH A DELICIOUS TOUCH OF PEAR SWEETNESS ON THE FINISH AND RETROHALE.

HAVE YOU FOUND YOUR DISFRUTA DEL

W W W. L A AU R O R A . C O M . D O F U M A R E S P E R J U D I C I A L PA R A L A SA L U D L E Y 4 2 - 01

F O L L OW U S @ L A AU R O R AU S

W W W. L A AU R O R A . C O M

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GODIVA CHOCOLATE LIQUEUR ride naked through the town of Coventry before I change my mind.” Why he chose this particular dare and why specifically Coventry will forever be a mystery but let’s ride with it [pardon the pun]. On the day of the ride Lady Godiva asked the citizens of Coventry to stay in their homes so as to not see her nude body. Apparently windows were not a thing yet. She set off on her nude trot through town with her beautiful long hair flowing over parts of her body. It’s a fantastic image, this beautiful and powerful woman performing a selfless act in defense of her subjects but there’s always one guy who just can’t help himself and snuck a peak of the noble Godiva’s nude body. We don’t know his actual name but from that moment on, he was forevermore known as Peeping Tom. My theory is that Peeping Tom was planted there and instructed to peep by Leofric himself to distract future readers of this tale from the fact that he probably still taxed those poor serfs into starvation anyway.

CHOCOLATE LIQUEUR 15% ABV

THE LEGEND OF LADY GODIVA Thank goodness they didn’t have mobile phones or Instagram stories in eleventh century England, otherwise the tale of Lady Godiva would have likely resulted in some body shaming for our fair lady. I’m certain that Peeping Tom’s Twitter and Instagram accounts, more on him later, would have at the very least have been suspended and Leofric, Earl of Mercia, would have felt the wrath of cancel culture. Not to mention that 24 hours later, the Instagram story would be lost forever, insert thinking face emoji here. This mythical tale, which culminated in public nudity on horseback, when Earl Leofric demanded his subjects pay new and more oppressive taxes. His wife, Lady Godiva, stepped up in their defense. She pleaded with Leofric not to proceed with the new taxes; the headstrong Earl thought he’d quiet the incessant pleas with a safe bet saying something to the effect of, “You’d have to

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True story or not, this tall tale recorded and shared by a notorious exaggerator monk named Roger of Wendover roughly 900 years ago gave us two figures that are still with us after all this time. Godiva is the name of the famous Belgian chocolatier, who aside from producing and selling luxury chocolates, makes this delicious chocolate liqueur in milk, white, and dark chocolate varieties. The story also left us with the common term for voyeur, Peeping Tom.

CHOCOLATE MARTINI

3b. Rim the glass with more ganache. If you made homemade ganache, this is where you show it off. 4. Strain the ingredients of the shaker into the martini glass.

IF YOU’RE FEELING SUPER-EXTRA 4a. Sprinkle chocolate shavings on top of the martini. If you made this for your lady friend, it’s going to be a good night. If you made this for yourself, enjoy it. This is a no-judgment zone and it is absolutely delicious.

TASTING NOTES The consummate dessert in a glass, this liqueur combines decadent milk chocolate flavor with just enough ABV to keep things interesting. The Godiva is at its best when mixed into cocktails, coffee, or even drizzled over ice cream, but like everything we taste, we do it neat. The nose is pure milk chocolate and cream and it’s likewise on the palate. The mouth feel is exceptionally rich and silky. It’s not an over-the-top chocolate bomb. It’s much more delicate and refined than you might imagine.

Southern Draw Rose of Sharon

The beauty of this cocktail is that it can be as simple as any cocktail you’ve ever made, or you can take a couple of additional steps if you’re looking to be a little extra.

INGREDIENTS 4 oz vodka

PAIRING NOTES

2 oz Baileys Irish Cream 2 oz Godiva Chocolate Liqueur Chocolate ganache (Optional) Chocolate shavings (Optional)

STEPS 1. Fill a shaker with ice. 2. Measure and pour the vodka, Baileys, and Godiva Chocolate Liqueur into the shaker. 3. Shake vigorously.

IF YOU’RE FEELING A LITTLE EXTRA 3a. Drizzle chocolate ganache in a swirling pattern into a martini glass.

THE SOUTHERN DRAW ROSE OF SHARON IS A WONDERFULLY CREAMY AND COMPLEX SMOKE WITH SUBTLE NOTES OF WHITE PEPPER AND VANILLA. IT’S A SOLID MEDIUM-STRENGTH CIGAR WITH A GENTLE SPICE COMPONENT THAT SERVES AS THE PERFECT COMPLEMENT TO THE GODIVA MILK CHOCOLATE LIQUEUR. IN TANDEM THE RICH MILK CHOCOLATE FROM THE LIQUEUR COATS YOUR PALATE AS THE SPICE AND PEPPER PROVIDE DEPTH AND CHARACTER.

JAN / FEB 2022 | CIGAR SNOB |

MIAMI CLUB CUBAN COFFEE RUM LIQUEUR borhood and became Miami’s first legal distiller. His inspiration came from a family trip to Mayagüez, Puerto Rico where he learned about his wife’s family’s distilling background. It turns out they’d been distilling for generations but the last of them had recently passed. He couldn’t let that lineage die. He acquired all of the family recipes and know-how that he could get his hands on, quit his job, and went head first into the rum business. It didn’t take long to find success. The Miami Club Rum Platino won Gold for Best White Rum in the 2013 San Francisco Spirits Competition and improved on that by taking Double Gold in 2017 in the White Rum category. In spite of the awards and even bringing on celebrity partnerships, it wasn’t until the company released the Miami Club Cuban Coffee Rum Liqueur that things really got interesting.

CUBAN COFFEE ROYALTY When Matt Malone and his team at Miami Club Rum set out to develop the coffee liqueur that ultimately changed the trajectory of the company, they didn’t waste any time. They went straight to the top of the Cuban coffee food chain. In late 2017 Miami Club Rum and Grand Havana, a premium Cuban style coffee wholesaler, announced a creative partnership. Matt Malone and Grand Havana’s Don Luis Bustelo, descendant of the famed Bustelo coffee family, collaborated on blends to bring Cuban-style coffee into the forefront of this popular liqueur category dominated by Kahlúa. The resulting liqueur, while not the award-winner that Miami Club Rum Platino has been, has elevated the company to new heights and introduced the brand to new audiences.

3. Spoon the whipped cream on top of the drink. 4. If you want to go the extra mile, sprinkle the grated nutmeg on the whipped cream. One critical ingredient in any Irish coffee is your choice of Irish whiskey. If you like the whiskey flavor to sit way in the background, go with the standard Tullamoore Dew or Jameson expressions but if you want to crank up the whiskey characteristics a notch or two try Power’s Gold Label, Jameson Black Barrel, or Slane Irish Whiskey. That’s probably as far as I would go but if you’re the type to take things too far, go nuts and sub in a Teeling Pot Still or a Redbreast 12-Year-Old Single Pot Still.

TASTING NOTES The nose of the Miami Club Cuban Coffee Rum Liqueur is delightful. There’s obviously tons of coffee but there’s also vanilla, caramel, and a touch of banana. On the palate the liqueur is medium-bodied with a prominent coffee flavor followed by a rich caramel and sugar cane sweetness with a well-integrated alcohol heat coming on in the finish.

La Aurora 115th Anniversary

IRISH CUBAN COFFEE COFFEE LIQUEUR 28% ABV

It’s a Cuban coffee twist on the classic Irish coffee.

INGREDIENTS 1 oz Miami Club Cuban Coffee Rum Liqueur 1 1/2 oz Irish whiskey

MADE IN MIAMI The city of Miami is internationally renowned for many things; the nightlife, beaches, people who wear warm winter clothing when the temperature drops below 70 degrees, and fans who leave playoff basketball games prematurely. Notice I didn’t mention distilling. The city has always been known more for consuming spirits than distilling them. That all changed in 2011 when Matt Malone founded Miami Club Rum in the Wynwood neigh-

34 | CIGAR SNOB | JAN / FEB 2022

4 oz hot American coffee Whipped cream Grated nutmeg (Optional)

STEPS 1. Into an Irish coffee mug or toddy glass (make sure it is meant to withstand heat) pour the Miami Club Cuban Coffee Rum Liqueur, Irish whiskey, and hot American coffee. 2. Stir

PAIRING NOTES LA AURORA 115 IS A FLAVORFUL SMOKE THAT STARTS WITH A BURST OF RED PEPPER AND OAK THAT GETS BALANCED OUT BY ROASTED NUT NOTES AND A PLEASANT BUTTERSCOTCH SWEETNESS. WHEN INTRODUCED TO THE UNMISTAKABLE CUBAN ESPRESSO FLAVOR OF MIAMI CLUB CUBAN COFFEE RUM LIQUEUR THE TASTING GOES TO ANOTHER LEVEL. THE SHARP PEPPERS IN THE CIGAR AND THE SWEET RUM LIQUEUR PROVIDE AN IDEAL BACKBONE THAT COMPLEMENTS THE COFFEE FINISH PERFECTLY.

JAN / FEB 2022 | CIGAR SNOB |

ROMANA BLACK TASTING NOTES Romana Black shows an ominous dark blue color in the glass with a full-bodied viscosity. The essence of intense anise and black licorice on the nose makes it where if you like black licorice, you’ll absolutely love Romana Black, but if it’s not really your thing, move along to something else. On the palate the sweet, black licorice is confirmed along with a warming, deep alcohol heat. If you have an opportunity to have sambuca flambéed by a professional, it offers an interesting and fun way to have this Italian classic.

Diesel Sunday Gravy

Flambé Sambuca

He called his creation sambuca. Sambuco is the Italian word for elderberry, one of the ingredients that could be used in the making of this liqueur but that’s not why he named it sambuca. In one of Luigi’s letters saved in the Manzi family archive, he explained that he called it sambuca after the ‘sambuchelli,’ the water carriers in Naples and Ischia that distributed water and anise liquor to field laborers.

SAMBUCA CON LA MOSCA

SAMBUCA LIQUEUR 40% ABV

WHY SAMBUCA? In 1851 Luigi Manzi created the recipe for a liqueur that would aid digestion and help relieve gas discomfort. I can see it now. Luigi feels terrible after every meal. He’s gassy, bloated, and generally uncomfortable. He had a choice; change his eating habits or invent a new liqueur that could help him feel better regardless of how many servings of lasagna he put down. Who are we kidding, the man’s Italian so he had no choice.

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You’ve seen sambuca served with a coffee bean inside a dozen if not a hundred times, but where did this practice come from? During the filming of the Federico Fellini classic, “La Dolce Vita” in Rome, the cast would drink sambuca quite a bit and one of the actors tossed a coffee bean into another’s drink to play a prank. He yelled, “Watch out! There’s a fly in your sambuca!” and we’ve been drinking it that way ever since. Although sambuca con la mosca, meaning sambuca with the fly, started off a prank it’s worth trying it. The roasted coffee bean crunch and toasty, nutty flavor following the rich, sweet licorice is loved by many. The coffee bean tradition has been taken to another level where bartenders put three coffee beans in the sambuca representing health, happiness, and prosperity. We can all drink to that!

PAIRING NOTES THE SUNDAY GRAVY BY DIESEL CIGAR IS CHOCK FULL OF WOOD, BLACK PEPPER AND HAZELNUT NOTES. THE MEDIUM PLUS STRENGTH OF THE CIGAR STANDS UP NICELY TO THE ALCOHOL HEAT OF THE ROMANA BLACK. THE PREFERRED ORDER OF CONSUMPTION IS TO SIP THE SAMBUCA FIRST FOLLOWED BY DRAWING FROM THE CIGAR. BY TASTING IN THIS MANNER THE SMOKE IS ABLE TO MARRY WITH THE LINGERING ALCOHOL AND SWEETNESS OF THE SAMBUCA AND SETTLE INTO A NUTTY DELICIOUSNESS THAT DOES MORE THAN PLEASE THE SENSES.

EDITOR’S NOTE WE PARTNERED WITH TOTAL WINE & MORE (TOTALWINE.COM) TO PUT THIS FEATURE TOGETHER AND PABLO ESTADES WAS INSTRUMENTAL IN MAKING IT HAPPEN. THANKS, PABLO.

JAN / FEB 2022 | CIGAR SNOB |

oscar onthe the redmaduro carpet featuring starring

the oscar maduro and habano

DRESS MICHAEL COSTELLO EARRINGS ASTRUM SHOES SAM EDELMEN

BODYSUIT LINGERIE INTIMISSIMI EARRINGS AQUA SPARKLE RING JULIAN CHANG SMALL RINGS KENDRA SCOTT

DRESS LAQUAN SMITH NECKLACE JULIAN CHANG RINGS KENDRA SCOTT SHOES MACH & MACH

DRESS JULIAN CHANG RINGS KENDRA SCOTT BRACELETS KATE SPADE

DRESS NORDSTROM EARRINGS SIMONE ROCHA BLACK RING JULIAN CHANG SMALL RINGS KENDRA SCOTT

TOP NBD AT REVOLVE SKIRT ALEXIA MARIA AT SAKS FIFTH AVENUE EARRINGS & BRACELET AQUA SPARKLE RING JULIAN CHANG SMALL RINGS KENDRA SCOTT SHOES SCHUTZ

DRESS EMA SAVAHL EARRINGS & BRACELET AQUA SPARKLE RING JULIAN CHANG SMALL RINGS KENDRA SCOTT

MODEL NIENKE JANSZ SELECT MODELS PHOTOGRAPHY LIMITED EDITION limitededitionmanagement.com PRODUCTION IVAN OCAMPO iocampo@cigarsnobmag.com PRODUCTION ASSISTANT JAMILET CALVIÑO jcalvino@cigarsnobmag.com WARDROBE STYLIST SOFIA DAGUANO limitededitionmanagement.com HAIR STYLIST JESSICA STRUM limitededitionmanagement.com MAKEUP ARTIST HANIC ARIAS limitededitionmanagement.com THEATRICAL PRODUCER GEORGE CABRERA broadwayfactor.com LOCATION THE WESTCHESTER CULTURAL ARTS CENTER miamidadearts.org

DRESS MICHAEL COSTELLO EARRINGS ASTRUM SHOES SAM EDELMEN

CIGAR THE OSCAR MADURO & THE OSCAR HABANO oscartobacco.com

DRESS VICKY VICTORIA EARRINGS MARIA BLACK RINGS KENDRA SCOTT

PLAY THE PERFECT CLING.

www.colesoflondon.com

igar Snob’s annual Top 25 list turns 10 this year, and the timing for this diamond anniversary is splendid. The year 2021 saw a continuation of growth building on the stellar sales year that was 2020. Premium cigar sales went deep and wide, making 2021 a great year for mainstream brands, iconic blends, and new releases. Each year, we assemble a list of cigars that have ranked 91 or better during the year. You see the ratings in every issue, but for us, the smoking is daily, in the relentless pursuit of the best of the best. We sit, puff, ponder, write, repeat. You’ll see some familiar faces on this list. Like the New York Yankees of the 50s or the Chicago Bulls of the 90s, there are brands that have winning in their blood. The cigar world is wonderfully open to refinement and excellence and there will be a time when the kings will be toppled. Today, we give you what worked in 2021. And a lot worked. We saw demand escalate, which kept some favorites on constant back order. “I take whatever I can get whenever I can get it,” one brick-and-mortar operator told us this summer. Such an approach is paying off big time. The Cigar Association of America tells us that premium cigar imports were up 55 percent through July. The supply still can’t quench the demand. We’re in a good place. Also in 2021, we met again in person for some trade shows and – you make the call – it was better than nothing. It will get even better if everyone keeps their perspective. That will mean fewer “virtual” experiences – a contradiction in terms, no? – and more of us embracing, hanging out and enjoying our pastime together. Take a few minutes with the Top 25 list and feel free to vent, praise, and enlighten us at feedback@cigarsnobmag.com. We always enjoy hearing from you.

N⁰ 1

OLIVA SERIE V MELANIO MADURO

WRAPPER: Mexico BINDER: Nicaragua FILLER: Nicaragua VITOLA: Figurado PHYSICAL SIZE: 6 1/2 x 52 MSRP: $ 16.00 RATING: 95

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Oliva Cigars in Nicaragua

In the years since we’ve been releasing a Top 25 list, the Oliva Serie V Melanio has been on a constant upward trend in popularity and growth. This type of climb in sales doesn’t always result in consistent quality. In other words, many brands that experience this type of growth lose quality over time and it’s understandable. More sales means more cigars have to be made and more cigars means more tobacco has to be grown and processed. It’s often a recipe for an inverse relationship between sales and quality but that has clearly not been the case with the Oliva Melanio and Melanio Maduro. Our Cigar of the Year for 2021, the Oliva Serie V Melanio Maduro Torpedo is perhaps enjoying its best year ever in terms of quality and consistency. The company has not stopped investing in infrastructure and technology since 2012; in fact they’ve increased those investments recently by opening additional factories and buying more land on which to grow tobacco. We tasted the Oliva Serie V Melanio Maduro Torpedo countless times in the lead-up to this list. When we got the list down to the Top 5, the panel blindly re-tasted all five over and over and unlike other years, this Top 5 is heavy on box-pressed maduro torpedos, three out of five to be exact. After every single round of tastings, the Melanio Maduro came out on top, sometimes by a slim margin but every time to be sure. The Oliva consistently shows off impeccable construction and a flavorful profile of dark chocolate, caramel, and roasted almonds balanced by super-smooth pepper and earth in the background, and it’s topped off with an aroma of leather, coffee, and cedar. Congratulations to our 2021 Cigar of the Year, the Oliva Serie V Melanio Maduro Torpedo.

N⁰ 2

LIGA PRIVADA H99

WRAPPER: USA/Connecticut BINDER: Mexico FILLER: Honduras & Nicaragua VITOLA: Toro PHYSICAL SIZE: 6 x 52 MSRP: $ 14.33 RATING: 94

N⁰ 3

La Gran Fábrica Drew Estate in Nicaragua

From its release in 2006, the Liga Privada line has been a star. The original, the Liga Privada No. 9, was initially launched to a limited number of retailers around the country. Fans of the brand would reserve their boxes, and many stores had to implement buying limits; it was insanely popular from day one. The company subsequently released a bevy of different sizes including the much-ballyhooed Flying Pig. Three years later the T52 version was born and, although its popularity never quite reached the level of the No. 9, it appeared on our Top 25 list in 2012, 2018, and 2020. The T52 uses a stalk-cut Habano wrapper grown in Connecticut. Drew Estate is constantly innovating in every facet of the cigar business, but its work on the tobacco front is at once its most groundbreaking and under the radar. The Liga Privada H99 is the result of such innovation. Along with its growing partners in the Connecticut River Valley, Drew Estate developed and grew a Corojo hybrid that, when combined with the Mexican San Andrés binder and fillers from Nicaragua and Honduras, brings out a new level of refinement and sweetness to the Liga lineup. Longtime fans of Liga Privada No. 9 may or may not find this blend to their liking but lovers of classic, Cuban-style cigars should fall in love with the H99. In our view this blend bridges the gap between New World, over the top, Liga-style intensity and Old World sensibilities of balance and complexity.

MONTECRISTO 1935 ANNIVERSARY NICARAGUA

WRAPPER: Nicaragua BINDER: Nicaragua FILLER: Nicaragua VITOLA: No. 2 PHYSICAL SIZE: 6 1/8 x 52 MSRP: $ 16.43 RATING: 94

San Lotano Factory in Nicaragua

The art of cigar making is quite a tedious one. Hour after hour and day after day cigar makers sit at their stations making these gems that we delight in turning to ash. The work can be a bit monotonous and in the days before we could all create our own playlists on a personal device, ‘lectores’ or readers would read aloud the news of the day as well as novels to the cigar makers to keep them entertained. The Count of Monte Cristo by Alexandre Dumas was so loved by cigar makers and read so many times to them that factory owner Alonzo Menendez decided to create a new brand calling it Montecristo. It went on to become the standard by which all cigars were to be compared to. Fast forward to today and the brand is once again taking its place among the very best in the world, this time employing all Nicaraguan tobacco and being made by AJ Fernández in his San Lotano Factory in Ocotal, Nicaragua. This year’s #3 cigar is a box-pressed torpedo that is bursting with flavors of bittersweet chocolate, espresso, and toasted almond balanced by notes of pepper and sweet cedar.

JAN / FEB 2022 | CIGAR SNOB |

N⁰ 4

MY FATHER LA PROMESA

WRAPPER: Ecuador BINDER: Nicaragua FILLER: Nicaragua VITOLA: Lancero PHYSICAL SIZE: 7 1/2 x 38 MSRP: $ 10.30 RATING: 94

N⁰ 5

SIN COMPROMISO

WRAPPER: Mexico BINDER: Ecuador FILLER: Nicaragua VITOLA: Seleccion No. 2 PHYSICAL SIZE: 6 x 52 MSRP: $ 17.95 RATING: 94

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My Father Cigars in Nicaragua

My Father Cigars is no stranger to these lofty rankings. Since we’ve started putting out our Top 25 lists there has been a My Father product at or near the top of the list every year. Looking back it has only been ranked outside of the Top 10 once. That was in 2016 when the Don Pepín García Cuban Classic came in at #11. This year’s #4 cigar, the My Father La Promesa, was inspired by Don Pepín’s promise to his family when he left Cuba. He promised that they would triumph in the United States cigar business and boy did he make good on that promise. The La Promesa blend in any format is excellent, but the lancero is absolutely sublime. The blend delivers a ton of flavor and a surprising amount of strength in comparison to the other shapes. It is impeccably well balanced with a combination of cocoa, sweet red pepper, cedar, and cream joined by a pleasing tanned leather aroma in the smoke.

Joya de Nicaragua in Nicaragua

Some cigars are simply undeniable. We smoke blind throughout the year looking for the best regular production cigars we rated that year and when we start to whittle the list down, certain blends just keep climbing and all you can do is put it where the panel ranks it. The Sin Compromiso No. 5, a 6 x 54 toro, famously landed in our top spot back in 2018, the brand’s debut year. Brand owner Steve Saka, his small team at Dunbarton Tobacco & Trust, and his factory partners at Joya de Nicaragua have managed to achieve a level of consistency that is truly remarkable for a small cigar company. We are still and probably always will be in love with the No. 5 vitola but the Selección No. 2 is undoubtedly giving it a run. The Sin Compromiso is a medium plus strength blend with a core of dark chocolate, smooth pepper, and sweet earth accompanied by a complex combination of caramel, vanilla, and oak. This level of nuance is rarely seen in a cigar this flavorful and powerful. That’s what separates it from the pack.

N⁰ 6

SIXTY BY ROCKY PATEL

WRAPPER: Mexico BINDER: Nicaragua FILLER: Nicaragua

N⁰ 7

Imperial 6 x 60 $ 18.00 93

VITOLA: PHYSICAL SIZE: MSRP: RATING:

Superiores 5 5/8 x 46 $ 8.00 93

VITOLA: PHYSICAL SIZE: MSRP: RATING:

La Hacienda, which translates to The Estate, was a Cuban brand from the late 1800s that Warped owner Kyle Gellis decided to revive. While the idea for the brand came from a natural place, the blend origin on the other hand is not one you hear every day. Kyle took his inspiration from a pasta dish he had in New York City.

Tabacos Cubanica in Nicaragua

No. 2 5 1/2 x 52 $ 19.22 93

CABAIGUAN GUAPOS

WRAPPER: Ecuador BINDER: Nicaragua FILLER: Nicaragua

Rocky Patel’s most ambitious blend yet was released during his sixtieth birthday party in March of 2021. Ever since, the Sixty has been winning over smokers nationwide, including the members of our panel who scored it a 93. Rocky Patel is no stranger to our list. His Aged, Limited, & Rare landed in the #2 spot in the Top 25 of 2019.

Tabacos Valle de Jalapa (Aganorsa) in Nicaragua

PADRÓN 1926 SERIE MADURO

WRAPPER: Nicaragua BINDER: Nicaragua FILLER: Nicaragua

N⁰ 9

VITOLA: PHYSICAL SIZE: MSRP: RATING:

WARPED LA HACIENDA

WRAPPER: Nicaragua BINDER: Nicaragua FILLER: Nicaragua

N⁰ 8

Tabacalera Villa Cuba in Nicaragua

Named after founder José Orlando Padrón’s birth year, the Padrón 1926 Serie Maduro is a model of consistency and superb quality. In this figurado vitola, the blend opens with loads of chocolate, espresso, and roasted nuts balanced by a smooth pepper and earth core. The Padrón 1964 Anniversary Maduro in Exclusivo was the #1 cigar of 2019.

My Father Cigars in Nicaragua

VITOLA: PHYSICAL SIZE: MSRP: RATING:

RX-Robusto Extra 5 1/4 x 50 $ 9.50 93

The Cabaiguan Guapos, pronounced Kah-bye-gwahn Wa-pohs, is a Tatuaje product that receives less fanfare than its other lines. It has a classic Cuban style and an impeccably balanced profile that features notes of almond, toast, and subtle pepper delivered in a rich, creamy textured smoke.

JAN / FEB 2022 | CIGAR SNOB |

N⁰ 10 THE WISE MAN MADURO

WRAPPER: Mexico BINDER: Nicaragua FILLER: Nicaragua

N⁰ 11

Toro Huaco 6 x 56 $ 12.20 92

VITOLA: PHYSICAL SIZE: MSRP: RATING:

Toro 6 x 52 $ 12.00 92

VITOLA: PHYSICAL SIZE: MSRP: RATING:

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VITOLA: PHYSICAL SIZE: MSRP: RATING:

One of our favorite new releases from 2021, the Undercrown 10 managed to capture the essence of the original Undercrown, and was somehow better at being Undercrown than the original. Picture your favorite song of all time; it’s the perfect song for your taste, and then you hear a cover that is just better. You don’t know how or why, but it’s just better.

Tabacalera AJ Fernandez in Nicaragua

Robusto 4 1/2 x 52 $ 15.00 92

ARTURO FUENTE DON CARLOS

WRAPPER: Cameroon BINDER: Dominican Republic FILLER: Dominican Republic

The name of this line extension from the original and wildly successful Güeguense brand cleverly translates the name of the original. This consistently well-constructed blend manufactured by Aganorsa delivers an ultra-flavorful combination of dark chocolate, sweet earthiness, and roasted almonds balanced by a deep pepper note.

La Gran Fábrica Drew Estate in Nicaragua

AGING ROOM RARE COLLECTION

WRAPPER: Nicaragua BINDER: Nicaragua FILLER: Nicaragua

N⁰ 13

VITOLA: PHYSICAL SIZE: MSRP: RATING:

UNDERCROWN 10

WRAPPER: Mexico BINDER: USA/Connecticut FILLER: Nicaragua

N⁰ 12

Tabacos Valle de Jalapa (Aganorsa) in Nicaragua

The collaborative team of Rafael Nodal and AJ Fernandez caught lightning in a bottle twice in one year. This is their second appearance on this list and it’s a good one. The Aging Room Rare Collection is superbly constructed and delivers a blend of smooth pepper, oak, coffee, and earth held together by a deliciously sweet creaminess.

Tabacalera A. Fuente in Dominican Republic

No. 3 5 1/2 x 44 $ 9.50 92

The gold standard for a Cameroon-wrapped cigar, the A. Fuente Don Carlos No. 3 has a highly nuanced profile of sweet cedar, smooth spice, nuts, and cinnamon complemented by a long, creamy finish. Famously manufactured in the Dominican Republic, the brand’s origins date back to 1976 when Don Carlos created a brand called Arturo Fuente Don Carlos in Nicaragua.

N⁰ 14

JOYA DE NICARAGUA ANTAÑO CT

WRAPPER: Ecuador BINDER: Nicaragua FILLER: Nicaragua

N⁰ 15

VITOLA: PHYSICAL SIZE: MSRP: RATING:

Robusto 5 1/4 x 52 $ 10.99 92

This Nicaraguan puro caught our panel’s attention the first time we rated it in the March/ April 2021 issue and we’ve been in love with it ever since. Aganorsa is known for growing some of the best tobacco in Nicaragua and the company flexed its muscles on this one using a beautiful Jalapa wrapper over a double binder of Criollos from 2 different farms.

Tabacalera de Nicaragua in Nicaragua

VITOLA: PHYSICAL SIZE: MSRP: RATING:

652 6 x 52 $ 8.00 92

DON LINO AFRICA

WRAPPER: Ecuador BINDER: Cameroon FILLER: Nicaragua & Dominican Republic

You’d be hard pressed to find a cigar that is so universally appreciated. The Joya de Nicaragua Antaño CT’s level of flavor intensity and strength sits in the perfect intersection. Incredibly it is just mild enough, strong enough, and flavorful enough for smokers of all types and at just about any time of the day.

Tabacos Valle de Jalapa (Aganorsa) in Nicaragua

CURIVARI CICLOPE

WRAPPER: Mexico BINDER: Nicaragua FILLER: Nicaragua

N⁰ 17

Belicoso 6 x 54 $ 9.90 92

AGANORSA LEAF – RARE LEAF RESERVE

WRAPPER: Nicaragua BINDER: Nicaragua FILLER: Nicaragua

N⁰ 16

VITOLA: PHYSICAL SIZE: MSRP: RATING:

Joya de Nicaragua in Nicaragua

While Curivari’s blends have garnered high scores on more than one occasion, this is the company’s first appearance on our list and it is well deserved. The Ciclope is a beautifully constructed, pressed toro bursting with rich flavors of dark chocolate, cedar, and almonds complemented by a smooth spice.

Tabacalera AJ Fernandez in Nicaragua

VITOLA: PHYSICAL SIZE: MSRP: RATING:

Tembo 6 x 60 $ 11.00 92

Making its second appearance on our list is the Miami Cigars/AJ Fernandez collaboration, the Don Lino Africa. Its first appearance was in the 5 x 50 Duma size in 2019. This year it was the 6 x 60 Tembo that caught our panel’s attention. The cigar consistently delivers an ultra-flavorful, medium-bodied profile highlighted by notes of pepper, chocolate, and cedar.

JAN / FEB 2022 | CIGAR SNOB |

N⁰ 18

ILLUSIONE FUME D’AMOUR

WRAPPER: Nicaragua BINDER: Nicaragua FILLER: Nicaragua

N⁰ 19

Clementes 6 1/2 x 48 $ 10.90 92

VITOLA: PHYSICAL SIZE: MSRP: RATING:

Sixty 6 x 60 $ 12.50 92

VITOLA: PHYSICAL SIZE: MSRP: RATING:

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VITOLA: PHYSICAL SIZE: MSRP: RATING:

This is The Oscar Maduro’s second appearance on our list; this blend originally came in at #12 in 2019. Since then the company has grown into a vertically integrated operation, a step that has paid off in the consistent quality of cigars like The Oscar, SuperFly, Wild Hunter, and the brand that started it all, the Leaf by Oscar.

Tabacalera AJ Fernandez in Nicaragua

Short Churchill 6 1/2 x 48 $ 9.00 92

PLASENCIA ALMA FUERTE COLORADO CLARO

WRAPPER: Nicaragua BINDER: Nicaragua FILLER: Nicaragua

The Illusione Fume D’Amour is an impeccably balanced and nuanced blend that does without any “ligero” tobacco; instead it’s composed of only “visos” and “secos” resulting in full flavor but just under medium in strength. At a time when cigar companies keep going for more power, strength, and intensity, Illusione bucks that trend with this line.

Oscar Valladares Tobacco & Co. in Honduras

AJ FERNANDEZ DÍAS DE GLORIA

WRAPPER: Nicaragua BINDER: Nicaragua FILLER: Nicaragua

N⁰ 21

VITOLA: PHYSICAL SIZE: MSRP: RATING:

THE OSCAR MADURO

WRAPPER: Mexico BINDER: Honduras FILLER: Honduras & Nicaragua

N⁰ 20

Tabacos Valle de Jalapa in Nicaragua

Sixto 6 x 60 $ 21.00 92

For mere mortals, the glory days will pass you by in the wink of a young girl’s eye. But not for cigar superstar AJ Fernández. His brand Dias de Gloria, which translates to “Glory Days”, has been a darling of our panel since its release in 2019. There’s a debate over which format is best, the round or box-pressed. What’s your favorite?

Plasencia Cigars in Nicaragua

It’s difficult to innovate in the cigar business. There’s only so much you can do with bunched up tobacco leaves that hasn’t already been tried or that seems gimmicky. What really caught our attention, though, was how unique the flavor profile is for this Colorado claro wrapped version of the Alma Fuerte. The original Alma Fuerte was Cigar of the Year for 2017.

N⁰ 22

HVC HOT CAKE

WRAPPER: Mexico BINDER: Nicaragua FILLER: Nicaragua

N⁰ 23

Tabacos Valle de Jalapa (Aganorsa) in Nicaragua

VITOLA: PHYSICAL SIZE: MSRP: RATING:

CASA MAGNA JALAPA CLARO

WRAPPER: Nicaragua BINDER: Nicaragua FILLER: Nicaragua

N⁰ 24

VITOLA: PHYSICAL SIZE: MSRP: RATING:

Toro 6 x 50 $ 6.79 92

The original Casa Magna, released in 2008, was instantly met with rave reviews. The company didn’t grow the Casa Magna portfolio until 2016 when it launched Jalapa Claro exclusively to retailers at the trade show. Eventually the brand’s growth spurred the Quesadas to begin selling the Jalapa Claro and its three box-pressed vitolas to all premium cigar retailers.

Tabacalera La Alianza in Dominican Republic

VITOLA: PHYSICAL SIZE: MSRP: RATING:

Prequel 5 x 50 $ 10.75 92

SINDICATO PARTICULARES NO. 1

WRAPPER: Nicaragua BINDER: Nicaragua FILLER: Nicaragua

This is the third time that HVC lands a coveted spot on our annual Top 25 list and it is more than warranted. The small cigar company is consistently putting out excellent cigars and the cleverly named Hot Cake is no exception. This flavorful blend has flavors of dark chocolate, espresso, and cedar balanced by smooth pepper and earth.

Plasencia Cigars in Nicaragua

E.P. CARRILLO PLEDGE

WRAPPER: USA BINDER: Ecuador FILLER: Nicaragua

N⁰ 25

Laguito #4 4 1/2 x 52 $ 8.50 92

VITOLA: PHYSICAL SIZE: MSRP: RATING:

The third installment in E.P. Carrillo’s trilogy consisting of the La Historia, Encore, and now Pledge, is arguably his best. The dark, box-pressed robusto is covered with the tastiest of wrappers, an Habano varietal grown in Connecticut and finished with an Ecuador binder and Nicaraguan fillers, consistently producing a beautifully balanced and complex profile.

Tabacos Valle de Jalapa (Aganorsa) in Nicaragua

Deliciosos 6 1/4 x 48 $ 7.95 92

If you didn’t know any better you’d think that you were smoking a classic Cuban cigar, and not just because of the branding. This is the second time the Sindicato Particulares makes our list and it’s no accident - the cigars are made by Aganorsa, one of the best producers in Nicaragua.

JAN / FEB 2022 | CIGAR SNOB |

62 | CIGAR SNOB | JAN / FEB 2022

Alejandro Martínez Cuenca Joya De Nicaragua

Dion Giolito Illusione Cigars

Carlos "Carlito" Fuente, Jr. Tabacalera A. Fuente y Cia.

Erik Espinosa Espinosa Cigars

Karl Malone Barrel-Aged by Karl Malone

cigarsnobmag.com/podcast

JAN / FEB 2022 | CIGAR SNOB |

64 | CIGAR SNOB | JAN / FEB 2022

READING THE TOBACCO LEAVES

Industry insiders weigh in on what's in store for the new year.

JAN / FEB 2022 | CIGAR SNOB |

he coming year looks like this: a leveling off of demand, a tobacco farm labor shortage, some price hikes here and there, and a hold on federal regulation of premium cigars. This is the forecast of more than a dozen experts who responded to our request for an outlook on the year ahead. We queried, for this story, more than two dozen folks and of those who responded, most prefaced their remarks with an upbeat intro, noting "2021 was our best." Which of course it was for so many -- from producers to retailers.

community means projections are easier and often more accurate, and our group of sages was kind enough to impart its wisdom. In talking with so many retailers and producers last year, we heard how they were having a great ride, flush with demand as well as fresh customers and familiar faces who were upping their daily smoking as they worked conveniently from home. Visits to cigar lounges across the country in 2021 saw plenty of customers toiling away with open laptops, a lit cigar nearby. We'd bet work production increased among those happy souls.

Fortune telling is a long shot craft, but in a select and finicky segment like premiums, those on the ground have a terrific view to read the tobacco leaves. The relatively small size of our

Now, for this year. Fortune-telling...

Cory Bappert, CEO, Oliva Cigars:

in a better spot than 2021. Not quite at 100% but 2022 could be our greatest year if everything comes together as we expect they will. We also had an employee shortage, but since the fall, we’ve been chipping away at all the challenges. We’re a small, family-owned boutique business, and we like to have full control of what’s going on. And we’re getting back to something like normalcy this year.

about getting into the U.S., they hire people to take them there. We hope to hire some when they come back.

Reinier Lorenzo, owner, HVC Cigars: Most of them are getting in and staying there. We have to expect that to continue, so we really need workers. We try to pay a little more but it’s still hard to get them. Other than that, we had a great 2021 and have no reason to expect 2022 will be anything less. We have new products that we’re still developing.

Tony Gomez, production supervisor, La Flor Dominicana: The catch for us last year was production, but we’ve opened 2022 These last two years have been pretty good, and I think consumer demand will remain, and hopefully we can even grow the pie a little more. I expect by the second half of 2022, most companies will have their supply chain fixed. We’re good on supply, we’re not suffering although some people are. We foresaw a lot of this stuff happening and keep a healthy inventory regardless. At the end of 2019 we expanded our factory to the point that it can handle growth for five years. One of the major problems we’re having and will have is labor. This is a massive problem, especially in Nicaragua, because of the border situation in the U.S. People now think they can walk across the border. Some are coming back. I talk to people who are supervisors and have worked in the industry for 10-15 years and they leave. Even though they are told they are being sold false information

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In their own words, here's what our newly minted sages had to say as 2022 kicked off in earnest.

Juan del Cerro, U.S. customs broker for cigar brands: The current cigar importers are bringing in real quality stuff and the price is right. The bottom line is the high quality, and the demand keeps

growing. I expect that to continue in 2022.

Robert Caldwell, founder, Caldwell Cigars: Marketwise, we’ll see some stabilization in 2022. I don’t think the supply chain issues will go away but people are going to start making better market assumptions. It’s a new supply chain ecosystem to deal with starting this year and in a perfect world, that will make it easier to navigate. A lot of companies were caught off guard by how the pandemic affected everyone. We’re also seeing an issue that

A scarcity of labor is projected to affect manufacturers in 2022.

consumers don’t understand that manufacturers never want to raise prices, we’d like for things to be the same all the time. The only time a manufacturer raises prices is when they are forced because margins get thinner and thinner, and we must maintain quality. Most manufacturers did not take a full price increase so let’s see where it is heading.

Frank Santos, sales and marketing, AJ Fernandez: Labor costs are going up, the whole supply chain has gone up, and we will do a price increase of roughly 5% on wholesalers in March. The last time we did that was two years ago before the pandemic, where we had a restructuring, and some prices went up and some went down. These are increases at a wholesale level, so the retailer can decide if prices go up or not. Over production is a real risk cigar makers face as the increase in demand caused by the pandemic can trigger inventory gluts once consumption returns to normal.

started before the virus, where wrapper whole-leaf tobacco is being taken by non-premium tobacco product companies for blunts. There’s been a big push toward natural leaf tobaccos in that industry, and I think that in 2022 that will continue and as a result, can cause a shortage for premium producers. Growers are going to go with whatever buyer pays, and this push into organic, clean food and clean ingredients is a movement away from mass-produced, and the blunt industry has gotten into it.

smoke all day as they did in the past couple years, so there’s that danger that people will overproduce.

Nicholas Melillo, founder, Foundation Cigar Co:

mortars have really picked up on us, and one of our biggest drivers has been my infused brand, which is up 70% and was one of our biggest gainers last year. All kinds of people are now coming through humidors, including newcomers, and they want to try things. And retailers are seeing that.

Steve Saka Dunbarton Tobacco & Trust: We’ve had to increase prices for this year, and I’m surprised not more people have done the same. We’re under the same inflationary stresses as everyone else and everything is costing more. Most

Cory Bappert, Oliva:

Jeff Haugen, founder, Crux Cigars: I see retailers leveling off from the growth after that record year of 2021 and most of 2020. Most retailers I know had double-digit growth last year for the usual reasons – people working away from the office, could enjoy a cigar while working in lounges. The first challenge of 2022 is the omicron variant, although it looks to be going away very swiftly, although the quarter will be hard for retailers and there could be a dip of around 10 to 15% from last year. That will panic some retailers, but on the other side, when this current virus is done there will be a celebratory

There is also the concern of the available filler for premium growers. They don’t like to grow filler as there isn’t as much [profit] margin on it. So, if you don’t grow your own tobacco, it could be an issue as we get to the end of the year.

Abe Dababneh, owner, Smoke Inn/The Great Smoke: There will probably continue to be a shortage of filler, as well as a labor shortage. But I sure hope people don’t over ramp or overdo it when they increase production. People are starting back to their regular cadence of smoking, the way it was before the pandemic. They can’t

We look at 2022 in the 35 to 40% range of growth. The past year was 60%, so we are managing production, as we need to ensure the quality. We can see that in the 90s, the last real boom, people committed to contracts and overproduced. People in this business know that. The brick and

Price increases could be in store for cigar smokers due to inflationary pressures on production costs.

JAN / FEB 2022 | CIGAR SNOB |

period in the spring and an economic rebound. By Q2, people will be back on track although not like 2021. This boom of the last two years has created the production issue among manufacturers, though, so that will be the biggest challenge.

be the first year we’re back to a semblance of normal, so it’s hard to judge what will ultimately happen with these events, be they trade shows or retail stores. Even before the pandemic, in-store events were money losers, so it may be some of these get scaled back now. I’m too busy to do them all and now I switch the onus on to the retailer to make it a special event. I can see the smaller brands cranking it out, region by region, continuing to do them and more reps doing the events, but as far as principals, I don’t think you’ll see that coming back as quickly.

Les Mann, VP of sales, ST Dupont (luxury accessories): I am bullish for 2022. Tobacconists want to have nice product in their stores, and that will fuel our growth in 2022. Customers come to the stores for their cigars, but retailers will step outside the box and look at accessory offerings, and with more people smoking, they have this chance to offer these luxury products and going outside the everyday mentality of ‘I am walking in to buy a box of cigars.’ The guy with the six Opus Xs in his bag also uses a Dupont lighter. Consumers want nice stuff and retailers want to sell that. We have more product introductions in the first six months of this year than we had for all of 2021. If we thought things were slowing down, we would slow down innovation. And that’s just not the case.

Terence Reilly, VP, Aganorsa Leaf: We’re going to have more in-person in 2022 until something prevents it. There is a real demand for peopleto-people meetings, in-stores, anything like that. People are triple vaxxed and they want to socialize. This year, people are going to go to in-store and cigar places that are experience-based, as people want to go to a place where they can find something interesting going on, anything from live music to domino tournaments, dinner, something other than the back porch. They want an atmosphere where the events are an accoutrement to the cigar.

Frank Herrera, attorney, H New Media: Regulation is also in the favor of the industry; I am optimistic that the FDA will understand that a premium cigar is different [than other tobacco products]. The FDA certainly has its hands full and has spent a lot of time on e-cigarettes and vapes and some of the nonpremium flavored cigars that they feel are attractive to youth. Once the scientists come back with insight on premiums, the FDA will have to look at that and review and analyze that information in the context of the non-premiums. By nature, they will see that premiums are different and finally realize what we’ve been telling them.

Storm Boen, chairman of the board of directors, Cigars for Warriors: The regulations on donating cigars in 2016 meant that we lost a lot of donations from manufacturers and of course there are still plenty that don’t give a shit and do it anyway. But in late February [2022], I will

68 | CIGAR SNOB | JAN / FEB 2022

It's anticipated in-person events will ramp up benefitting both retailers and manufactureres.

"People are triple vaxxed and they want to socialize. This year, people are going to go to in-store and cigar places that are experience-based, as people want to go to a place where they can find something interesting going on, anything from live music to domino tournaments, dinner, something other than the back porch."

to the 21 or over rule, and no other country besides the U.S. has that rule. I’m sorry but if you are in the military, you are an adult and can smoke a cigar. We need to make sure that stays so.

Abe Dababneh, owner, Smoke Inn/The Great Smoke:

One of the things that will help us in 2022 is the return of events. We were in only two festivals last year, and we’re usually in 25. Our biggest fundraiser, the C.A.T.S. (Cigar Aficionados Trades and Sales) Fest, had to be canceled the last two years. But this year looks good.

-Terence Reilly, VP, Aganorsa Leaf

Steve Saka, Dunbarton Tobacco & Trust:

be going to DC to meet with the cigar caucus. They are excited about Cigars for Warriors. There are several things we’d like to fix, including the age requirement for cigar smoking. We want to make sure deployed troops are not held

There were trade shows last year that did great despite the pandemic, but everyone was still in the Covid bubble and consumption was way up. Now we’re going back to work, and the government money is drying up so 2022 will

There will be two types of people existing in the world after all this virus is gone. There are the people wearing a mask in their car while alone and driving, and there are people who have just moved on and are going to live lives and accept there is an illness out there that goes on every year.

JAN / FEB 2022 | CIGAR SNOB |

48 CIGARS

CHURCHILL Opus X Angel’s Share

$ 2 9.10

VITOLA: LENGTH: RING: WRAPPER: BINDER: FILLER:

Reserva D’ Chateau 7 48 Dominican Republic Dominican Republic Dominican Republic

HVC 10th Anniversary

Ultra-flavorful and complex, this medium to full strength blend delivers a core of sweet cedar, cinnamon, almonds, and cream balanced by a consistent smooth pepper note in the background. Covered with a supple, light brown wrapper with minimal veins.

$ 15.00

VITOLA: LENGTH: RING: WRAPPER: BINDER: FILLER:

Toro Extra 6 1/2 50 Nicaragua Nicaragua Nicaragua

Oscar Valladares McFly

N I CA R AG UA A highly aromatic blend covered with a light brown wrapper with excellent sheen. Consistently wellconstructed providing a flawless draw and burn while leaving behind a slightly flaky ash. Medium plus bodied with a core of cedar, pepper, and sweet earth joined by a hint of black tea.

$ 12.00

VITOLA: LENGTH: RING: WRAPPER: BINDER: FILLER:

Churchill 7 48 Mexico Honduras Honduras, Nicaragua & Dominican Republic

Esteban Carreras Cashmere

H O N D UR AS Covered with a clean, medium brown wrapper with minimal veins and finished with an exposed foot. This medium strength Churchill opens with tons of wood, black coffee, and soft pepper until the burn reaches the wrapper, which brings in sweeter notes of vanilla and cinnamon.

$ 9.50 VITOLA: LENGTH: RING: WRAPPER: BINDER: FILLER:

Churchill 7 50 Ecuador Nicaragua Nicaragua

Cohiba Blue

N I CA R AG UA Impeccably constructed and covered with a soft and supple wrapper with a golden hue. This mild blend delivers a profile highlighted by notes of nuts, cedar, vanilla, and earth joined by subtle hints of soft pepper and cream. Produces an excellent smoke output and leaves behind a solid, compact ash.

$ 12.69

VITOLA: LENGTH: RING: WRAPPER: BINDER: FILLER:

Churchill 7 1/2 50 Honduras Honduras Honduras, Nicaragua & Dominican Republic

Protocol Cyber Crimes Unit

87 72 | CIGAR SNOB | JAN / FEB 2022

D O M I N I CA N R E P UBLI C

D O M I N I CA N R E P UBLI C Covered with a clean, reddish brown wrapper showing slight veins, this medium strength Churchill delivers a profile of pepper, wood, and a touch of cocoa joined by a bitter coffee note in the final third. Provides an open draw while producing a modest smoke output.

$ 10.50 VITOLA: LENGTH: RING: WRAPPER: BINDER: FILLER:

Churchill 6 1/2 48 Nicaragua Nicaragua Nicaragua

N I CA R AG UA An attractive, box-pressed Churchill covered with a milk chocolate colored wrapper. Opens with a blast of sharp pepper and wood, which settles to incorporate subtle notes of cashews and sweet spice. This medium to full strength blend consistently provides a firm draw.

JAN / FEB 2022 | CIGAR SNOB |

GRAN TORO Romeo y Julieta Reserva Real Nicaragua

VITOLA: LENGTH: RING: WRAPPER: BINDER: FILLER:

$ 10.30 Magnum 6 60 Nicaragua Nicaragua Nicaragua

Perdomo Habano Bourbon Barrel-Aged Sun Grown

VITOLA: LENGTH: RING: WRAPPER: BINDER: FILLER:

Gordo 6 60 Nicaragua Nicaragua Nicaragua

Southern Draw Firethorn

A beautifully balanced blend with notes of pepper, roasted almonds, cocoa powder, and cinnamon accompanied by hints of sweet spice and earth. Impeccably constructed and covered with a clean, medium brown wrapper. Draws and burns perfectly while leaving behind a solid, compact ash.

$ 10.00

N I CA R AG UA Consistently well-constructed and covered with a slightly coarse, reddish brown wrapper. This medium strength blend draws and burns perfectly while producing an excellent smoke output with notes of cedar, roasted nuts, and smooth pepper balanced by a sweet earthiness in the background.

$ 11.78

VITOLA: LENGTH: RING: WRAPPER: BINDER: FILLER:

Gordo 6 1/2 60 Ecuador Mexico Nicaragua

Asylum 13

N I CA R AG UA A thick and beautifully constructed cigar covered with an aromatic, reddish brown wrapper and finished with a covered foot. The blend opens with tons of pepper, sweet spice, and cedar complemented by subtle notes of dried fruit and earth. Medium plus strength.

$ 9.00

VITOLA: LENGTH: RING: WRAPPER: BINDER: FILLER:

Toro Gordo 6 60 Nicaragua Nicaragua Nicaragua

Canimao

N I CA R AG UA Smooth and straightforward with flavors of wood, black pepper, and earth joined by a slightly sweet, almond cream note on the finish. This well-made gran toro covered with a cleanlooking wrapper draws and burns well while leaving behind a flaky ash. Medium strength.

$ 12.00

VITOLA: LENGTH: RING: WRAPPER: BINDER: FILLER:

Coloquiales 6 1/2 60 Ecuador Ecuador Nicaragua & Dominican Republic

CAO Consigliere

USA Smooth and mild with a profile of cashew, soft spice, and a touch of oak accompanied by a bit of cocoa on the finish. This gran toro is covered with a thin, light brown wrapper and topped with a neatly applied pigtail. Produces an open draw and leaves behind a slightly flaky ash.

$ 10.49

89 74 | CIGAR SNOB | JAN / FEB 2022

N I CA R AG UA

VITOLA: LENGTH: RING: WRAPPER: BINDER: FILLER:

Tony 6 60 Brazil Honduras Colombia, Nicaragua & Dominican Republic

N I CA R AG UA An earthy gran toro with additional notes of subtle mocha, oak, and ripe fruit. Covered with a dark brown wrapper, this medium bodied blend consistently draws and burns well while producing an abundant smoke output and leaving behind a light gray ash.

JAN / FEB 2022 | CIGAR SNOB |

TORPEDO God of Fire Carlito 2018

$ 26.00

VITOLA: LENGTH: RING: WRAPPER: BINDER: FILLER:

Piramides 6 3/8 52 Cameroon Dominican Republic Dominican Republic

La Aurora Fernando León Limited Edition

VITOLA: LENGTH: RING: WRAPPER: BINDER: FILLER:

A well-constructed torpedo with a core of cedar, smooth spice, and cinnamon complemented by rich almond cream on the finish. This medium to full strength blend delivers tons of thick and highly aromatic smoke while leaving behind a solid, compact ash.

$ 28.00 Belicoso 6 1/4 54 Dominican Republic Ecuador Brazil, Peru, Nicaragua & Dominican Republic

AVO Classic

D O M I N I CA N R E P UBLI C Beautifully constructed and covered with a clean, milk chocolate colored wrapper with minimal veins. Draws and burns exceptionally well while producing a voluminous output of medium plus bodied smoke with notes of red pepper, roasted nuts, and cedar balanced by a touch of honey.

$ 12.00

VITOLA: LENGTH: RING: WRAPPER: BINDER: FILLER:

Belicoso 6 48 Ecuador Dominican Republic Dominican Republic

FSG By Drew Estate Cigars

89 89

VITOLA: LENGTH: RING: WRAPPER: BINDER: FILLER:

Belicoso 6 1/4 54 Brazil Honduras Nicaragua & USA

VITOLA: LENGTH: RING: WRAPPER: BINDER: FILLER:

Washington 5 1/2 54 Ecuador Indonesia Nicaragua & Dominican Republic

Caldwell Long Live the King Mad Mofo

D O M I N I CA N R E P UBLI C Expertly blended with a profile of hazelnut, cedar, citrus, and marzipan balanced by a touch of cocoa and leather. Provides a firm draw and leaves behind a solid, compact ash along a sharp burn. Mild to medium bodied and covered with a neatly applied wrapper with minimal veins.

$ 1 4.00

RoMa Craft Intemperance Cigars Whiskey Rebellion 1794

76 | CIGAR SNOB | JAN / FEB 2022

D O M I N I CA N R E P UBLI C

VITOLA: LENGTH: RING: WRAPPER: BINDER: FILLER:

N I CA R AG UA An earthy blend that opens with a combination of cedar, sweet pepper, and roasted nuts accompanied by a subtle hint of ripe fruit in the background. Produces an abundance of medium bodied smoke along a perfect draw and burn. Finished with a dark, reddish brown wrapper.

$ 8.25

N I CA R AG UA A consistently well-constructed torpedo covered with a thick, oily wrapper and finished with an exposed foot. The blend opens with savory notes of wood and pepper, later joined by leather, sweet earth, and toast. Draws and burns well while producing an excellent smoke output.

$ 12.00 Belicoso 5 1/2 52 Mexico Indonesia Nicaragua, Dominican Republic & USA

D O M I N I CA N R E P UBLI C Opens with a profile of bitter coffee, wood, and ripe fruit accompanied by a hint of leather in the aroma. This medium to full strength short torpedo is covered with a dark brown wrapper with a coarse texture.

JAN / FEB 2022 | CIGAR SNOB |

TORO Oliva Connecticut Reserve

$ 9.00 VITOLA: LENGTH: RING: WRAPPER: BINDER: FILLER:

Toro 6 50 Ecuador Nicaragua Nicaragua

Plasencia Cosecha 146

Well balanced and flavorful with a core of peanuts, sweet cedar, smooth pepper, and cream accompanied by subtle notes of cocoa powder, toast, and a hint of floral on the finish. Draws and burns perfectly while leaving behind a solid, compact ash. Medium bodied.

$ 13.50

VITOLA: LENGTH: RING: WRAPPER: BINDER: FILLER:

San Luis 5 3/4 54 Honduras Nicaragua Honduras & Nicaragua

Ferio Tegio Elegancia 2021

90 90

VITOLA: LENGTH: RING: WRAPPER: BINDER: FILLER:

Toro 6 50 Ecuador Dominican Republic Nicaragua & Dominican Republic

VITOLA: LENGTH: RING: WRAPPER: BINDER: FILLER:

Toro 6 1/4 50 Ecuador Indonesia Dominican Republic & USA

D O M I N I CA N R E P UBLI C Smooth and well-balanced with a core of cedar, nuts, and American coffee complemented a hint of spice and a creamy textured finish. This medium bodied toro is covered with an attractive, golden-colored wrapper that burns evenly and leaves behind a solid, compact ash.

D O M I N I CA N R E P UBLI C A creamy and aromatic blend with a profile of sweet cedar, raw almond, earth, and pepper accompanied by a touch of vanilla and citrus on the finish. This sharply box-pressed toro is covered with a soft, supple wrapper. Produces an excellent output of medium bodied smoke.

$ 9.30 VITOLA: LENGTH: RING: WRAPPER: BINDER: FILLER:

Toro 6 52 Ecuador Nicaragua Nicaragua & Dominican Republic

Gran Habano Blue in Green

A consistently well-made, thick toro covered with a supple, milk chocolate-colored wrapper with a velvet feel. Produces an excellent smoke output with a profile of cashews, cedar, smooth pepper, and black American coffee complemented by a touch of caramel. Medium bodied.

$ 9.00

Padilla Finest Hour Connecticut

H O N D UR AS

$ 21.00

Recluse Amadeus Connecticut

78 | CIGAR SNOB | JAN / FEB 2022

N I CA R AG UA

H O N D UR AS A flavorful toro covered with a clean, light brown wrapper showing slight veins. This medium bodied blend delivers a core of cedar, roasted almond, and sweet spice accompanied by subtle notes of pepper, earth, and caramel. Produces an excellent smoke output along a perfect draw.

$ 9.50 VITOLA: LENGTH: RING: WRAPPER: BINDER: FILLER:

Toro Extra 6 54 USA/Connecticut Nicaragua Nicaragua

H O N D UR AS Consistently produces an abundant mild bodied smoke output along an excellent draw and burn. Delivers flavors of white pepper, green tea, wood, and a touch of citrus. This wellmade toro is covered with a silky, golden-colored wrapper with sheen.

JAN / FEB 2022 | CIGAR SNOB |

TORO Joya de Nicaragua Dos Cientos

$ 1 7.00 VITOLA: LENGTH: RING: WRAPPER: BINDER: FILLER:

Gran Toro 6 54 Ecuador Mexico Honduras, Nicaragua & Dominican Republic

Crowned Heads Four Kicks Capa Especial

VITOLA: LENGTH: RING: WRAPPER: BINDER: FILLER:

$ 9.95 Sublime 6 54 Ecuador Nicaragua Nicaragua

Pichardo Maduro

D O M I N I CA N R E P UBLI C Well balanced and complex, this medium plus strength toro delivers a flavorful core of cedar, hazelnut, white pepper, and wheat accompanied by honey and floral notes on the finish. Covered with a slightly rustic-looking wrapper with a coarse feel and delivering an excellent draw along a wavy burn.

$ 9.50

VITOLA: LENGTH: RING: WRAPPER: BINDER: FILLER:

Toro 6 1/2 50 Brazil Nicaragua Nicaragua

El Borracho

N I CA R AG UA An attractive, box-pressed toro covered with a dark brown wrapper with a velvet feel. Consistently wellconstructed, this medium plus strength blend provides an excellent draw and a fairly even burn requiring no touch-ups. Produces notes of red pepper, cedar, and tanned leather joined by a hint of cinnamon.

$ 12.16

VITOLA: LENGTH: RING: WRAPPER: BINDER: FILLER:

Toro 6 54 USA/Connecticut Nicaragua Nicaragua

Perla del Mar Corojo

N I CA R AG UA A square-pressed toro covered with a dark brown wrapper with a coarse feel. Opens with a core of earth, dark chocolate, and mild pepper accompanied by notes of mint, ripe fruit, and wood. This medium strength blend produces a thin smoke output along an open draw.

$ 7.10

VITOLA: LENGTH: RING: WRAPPER: BINDER: FILLER:

Toro 6 1/4 54 Ecuador Nicaragua Nicaragua

Crux Guild

N I CA R AG UA A thick, box-pressed toro with a profile of red pepper, roasted almonds, and oak complemented by subtle notes of raisin and chicory. Draws and burns exceptionally well producing an abundant smoke output. Medium plus strength.

$ 8.99

89 80 | CIGAR SNOB | JAN / FEB 2022

N I CA R AG UA Covered with an oily, reddish brown wrapper with a silky feel, this ultra-flavorful blend produces an excellent smoke output with a profile of sweet pepper, tanned leather, cedar, and a touch of earth in the background. Medium to full strength.

VITOLA: LENGTH: RING: WRAPPER: BINDER: FILLER:

Toro 6 50 Ecuador Nicaragua Nicaragua

N I CA R AG UA Opens with slightly sharp notes of red pepper and wood, which settle to incorporate notes of ripe fruit, roasted nuts, and a touch of cocoa. This well-constructed box-pressed toro is covered with a good-looking, reddish brown wrapper with a leathery feel.

JAN / FEB 2022 | CIGAR SNOB |

TORO AJ Fernandez Bellas Artes Maduro

$ 10.00 VITOLA: LENGTH: RING: WRAPPER: BINDER: FILLER:

Toro 6 54 Brazil Mexico Nicaragua

Joya de Nicaragua Antaño Gran Reserva GT20

VITOLA: LENGTH: RING: WRAPPER: BINDER: FILLER:

Gran Toro 6 54 Ecuador Nicaragua Nicaragua

Espinosa Murcielago

A flavorful and balanced blend covered with a dark and neatly applied wrapper with a toothy feel. Draws and burns flawlessly while producing an excellent smoke output with notes of dark chocolate, espresso, smooth pepper, and oak complemented by a touch of sweetness in the background. Medium plus bodied.

$ 9.30

N I CA R AG UA A dark and beautifully box-pressed toro covered with an oily wrapper with a reddish brown hue. This consistently well-made blend delivers an intensely flavorful core of earth, smooth pepper, and chicory balanced by sweet notes of ripe fruit and roasted nuts.

$ 9.59

VITOLA: LENGTH: RING: WRAPPER: BINDER: FILLER:

Toro 6 52 Mexico Nicaragua Nicaragua

Protocol Eliot Ness Maduro

N I CA R AG UA A dark, box-pressed blend with an ultra-flavorful profile loaded with flavors of dark chocolate, espresso, pepper, and oak complemented by an aroma of leather and cedar. Impeccably constructed providing a perfect draw and burn while producing an excellent smoke output.

$ 12.55 VITOLA: LENGTH: RING: WRAPPER: BINDER: FILLER:

Toro 6 52 Nicaragua Nicaragua Nicaragua

Alec Bradley Prensado

N I CA R AG UA Well-constructed and covered with a dark brown wrapper with a velvet feel, this box-pressed toro provides an excellent draw and burn while producing a medium to full strength smoke output. Delivers tons of pepper and savory notes highlighted by wood, bittersweet cocoa, and earth.

$ 12.50

VITOLA: LENGTH: RING: WRAPPER: BINDER: FILLER:

Gran Toro 6 54 Honduras Nicaragua Honduras & Nicaragua

Hiram & Solomon Curamus

86 82 | CIGAR SNOB | JAN / FEB 2022

N I CA R AG UA

H O N D UR AS An intense, box-pressed toro covered with a dark, reddish brown wrapper with a somewhat mottled appearance. Opens with a blast of cayenne pepper and wood accompanied by earth, grilled meats, and ripe fruit sweetness throughout. Medium plus strength.

$ 10.00 VITOLA: LENGTH: RING: WRAPPER: BINDER: FILLER:

Toro 6 52 USA/Pennsylvania Mexico USA & Dominican Republic

D O M I N I CA N R E P UBLI C A somewhat rustic-looking cigar covered with an oily, mottled wrapper. This medium bodied toro delivers flavors of cedar, red pepper, and over-ripened fruit sweetness.

"Collect them all, limited edition”

JAN / FEB 2022 | CIGAR SNOB |

ROBUSTO Fonseca by My Father

$ 9.50

VITOLA: LENGTH: RING: WRAPPER: BINDER: FILLER:

Robusto 5 1/4 52 Nicaragua Nicaragua Nicaragua

Padrón 1926 Serie Natural

VITOLA: LENGTH: RING: WRAPPER: BINDER: FILLER:

No. 6 4 3/4 50 Nicaragua Nicaragua Nicaragua

VITOLA: LENGTH: RING: WRAPPER: BINDER: FILLER:

LC 50 5 50 Ecuador Nicaragua Nicaragua

Finished with a superb, light brown wrapper with a velvet feel, this box-pressed robusto delivers a smooth and flavorful profile of cocoa, deep pepper, coffee, and earth, complemented by a creamy caramel note in the background. Medium strength.

N I CA R AG UA Produces an excellent smoke output with a flavorful medium to full strength profile of red pepper, cocoa, raw almonds, and earth complemented by a rich, creamy sweetness on the finish. This powerful blend is consistently well constructed and covered with a neatly applied, reddish brown wrapper.

$ 12.99 VITOLA: LENGTH: RING: WRAPPER: BINDER: FILLER:

Robusto 5 52 Nicaragua Nicaragua Nicaragua

Gurkha Nicaragua Series

N I CA R AG UA Beautifully pressed and covered with an impeccable, light brown wrapper with a smooth, velvet feel. This medium to full strength blend opens with a creamy combination of cedar, pepper, and caramel accompanied by notes of citrus and cinnamon.

$ 9.75

VITOLA: LENGTH: RING: WRAPPER: BINDER: FILLER:

Robusto 5 52 Nicaragua Nicaragua Nicaragua

CAO Cameroon L’Anniversaire

89 84 | CIGAR SNOB | JAN / FEB 2022

N I CA R AG UA

$ 11.95

Aganorsa Leaf Aniversario Corojo

An impeccably balanced blend covered with a clean, supple wrapper with excellent sheen. This smooth, medium strength robusto delivers a core of cedar, almond, cocoa, and smooth pepper accompanied by notes of caramel and cream on the finish.

$ 15.22

Crowned Heads Las Calaveras 2021

N I CA R AG UA

N I CA R AG UA An ultra-flavorful, well-balanced blend with a core of cedar, sweet pepper, hazelnut, and cocoa complemented by subtle notes of earth and floral. Consistently provides an excellent draw and a good amount of medium plus bodied smoke.

$ 8.2 9 VITOLA: LENGTH: RING: WRAPPER: BINDER: FILLER:

Robusto 5 50 Cameroon Nicaragua Nicaragua

N I CA R AG UA A thick, box-pressed blend covered with a clean, supple wrapper. Provides an open draw and a core of cashews, red pepper, and wood accompanied by a note of bitter coffee appearing in the second third. This medium strength robusto extra produces an excellent smoke output.

JAN / FEB 2022 | CIGAR SNOB |

ROBUSTO Black Label Trading Last Rites

$ 11.00 VITOLA: LENGTH: RING: WRAPPER: BINDER: FILLER:

Robusto 5 54 Ecuador Honduras Honduras & Nicaragua

Tatuaje T110 Reserva Broadleaf

VITOLA: LENGTH: RING: WRAPPER: BINDER: FILLER:

Short Robusto 4 3/8 52 USA/Connecticut Nicaragua Nicaragua

N I CA R AG UA Loads of rich chocolate, smooth pepper, and sweet earth complemented by notes of butterscotch, ripe fruit, and roasted nuts. Consistently well constructed, this medium plus strength blend provides a firm draw and leaves behind a perfect, compact ash.

$ 15.00 VITOLA: LENGTH: RING: WRAPPER: BINDER: FILLER:

Candente 5 50 Nicaragua Nicaragua Nicaragua

Reinado Grand Apex

N I CA R AG UA Consistently produces an excellent output of thick, aromatic smoke along a perfect draw and burn. This soft-pressed blend is covered with a dark, reddish brown wrapper and delivers notes of sweet pepper, earth, dark chocolate, wood, and a touch of coffee. Medium plus strength.

$ 12.00

VITOLA: LENGTH: RING: WRAPPER: BINDER: FILLER:

Robusto Extra 5 1/2 52 Mexico Nicaragua Nicaragua

CLE Azabache

N I CA R AG UA A flavorful and intense blend covered with a dark brown wrapper with a toothy feel. Medium to full strength with a core of earth, bittersweet chocolate, sweet pepper, and cedar complemented by a touch of dark cherry and oak appearing towards the final third. Consistently well-constructed with an excellent draw and burn.

$ 8.46

VITOLA: LENGTH: RING: WRAPPER: BINDER: FILLER:

Robusto 5 50 Mexico Honduras Peru, Nicaragua & Honduras

Rocky Patel Disciple

H O N D UR AS A box-pressed robusto covered with a medium to dark brown wrapper. Flavors open on the side of cocoa, earth, and pepper transitioning to more wood and licorice in the final third. Produces an excellent smoke output and leaves behind a solid, chalk-white ash.

$ 10.50

88 86 | CIGAR SNOB | JAN / FEB 2022

A neatly pressed robusto covered with a dark, oily wrapper with a velvet feel. This medium plus strength blend is smooth and flavorful with a core of roasted nuts, mocha, caramel, and soft pepper complemented by a subtle earth note in the background and a creamy textured finish.

$ 10.00

Plasencia Alma del Fuego

N I CA R AG UA

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Robusto 5 50 Mexico Nicaragua Nicaragua

N I CA R AG UA Covered with a dark brown wrapper with a coarse feel. Delivers a profile of dark roast coffee, cherry, and bittersweet chocolate accompanied by a tandem of black pepper and earth throughout. Produces a thin output of medium to full strength smoke.

JAN / FEB 2022 | CIGAR SNOB |

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JAN / FEB 2022 | CIGAR SNOB |

TWITTER SCOREBOARD The cigar world is on Twitter and we aim to keep track of who’s leading who. The following is a scoreboard of the cigar world’s most relevant Tweeples. The list is sorted by number of followers and broken into groups: Top 20 Twitter Cigar Companies & Reps, Top 10 Twitter Retailers, Top 10 Online Cigar Tweeps, Top 3 Twitter Cigar Organizations, and Top 3 Cigar Radio Twitter accounts. If you have the numbers and belong in one of these groups, stand up and be counted! Set us straight via Twitter @cigarsnobmag. TOP CIGAR ORGANIZATIONS

TOP CIGAR COMPANIES ( sorted by Twitter followers ) Drew Estate Cigars @DrewEstateCigar .................................... Rocky Patel @RockyPatelCigar ................................................ Padron Cigar @PadronCigars ................................................... CAO International @CAOCigars ................................................ Alec Bradley Cigars @AlecBradley ........................................... La Flor Dominicana @LFDCigars .............................................. Ashton Cigars @ashtoncigar .................................................... Camacho Cigars @camachocigars ........................................... Jonathan Drew @JonathanDrewArt .......................................... Pete Johnson @TatuajeCigars .................................................. La Gloria Cubana @lagloriacubana ........................................... Xikar Inc @XIKARinc ............................................................... Nick Perdomo @PerdomoCigars .............................................. Davidoff Cigars @Davidoff_Cigars ........................................... Miami Cigar Co @miamicigar ................................................... Ernesto Padilla @PadillaCigars ................................................ AJ Fernandez @ajfcigars ......................................................... Punch Cigars @punchcigars .................................................... La Palina Cigars @La PalinaCigars ........................................... Avo Cigars @AvoCigars ...........................................................

59697 36751 28647 26693 20489 20358 19807 17882 17840 15985 15408 14799 13778 13177 12868 12648 12678 12623 11611 11018

TOP CIGAR RETAILERS & REPS Famous Smoke Shop @FamousSmokeShop ............................. Slippery Rock Cigars @SlipperyRockCig .................................... Mulberry St. Cigars @MulberryStCigar .................................... Cigar Hustler @cigarhustler ..................................................... Jeff Borysiewicz – Corona Cigar Co @CoronaCigarCo................ Cigar Row @CigarRow ............................................................ Barry – Two Guys Smoke Shop @Barry2Guys ........................... Michael Herklots @MichaelHerklots ......................................... Lindsay Siddiqi @TheCigarChick .............................................. Cheap Humidors @cheaphumidors ..........................................

16774 15189 12678 10564 7552 7420 6212 6210 4943 4866

TOP ONLINE CIGAR TWEEPLES David Voth–Sex, Cigars, & Booze @SexCigarsBooze ................. Cigar News @CigaRSS ............................................................ Cigar Events @CigarEvents ..................................................... Blind Man’s Puff @BlindMansPuff ............................................ Cigar Federation @CigarFederation ......................................... Robusto Cigar Babe @RobustoBabe ........................................ CigarHustler.com @CigarHustler ............................................. Cigar Dojo @CigarDojo ............................................................ Cigar Vixen @CigarVixen ......................................................... Stogie Boys @StogieBoys .......................................................

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140065 17683 15703 15140 11441 11049 10564 9421 8299 7997

Cigar Rights of America @cigarrights ...................................... 14363 Premium Cigar Association @PCA1933 .................................... 8675 Tobacconist University @tobacconistU ................................... 4337

TOP CIGAR RADIO Cigar Dave Show @CigarDaveShow ........................................ 10219 KMA Talk Radio @KMATalkRadio ............................................. 2130 Cigars and Scotch @CigarScotch ............................................ 1988

SOME OF OUR FAVORITE TWEETS, MENTIONS, AND RANDOM SOCIAL MEDIA GOODNESS.

@Cigar_reina Happy Sunday everyone! Make it Smokey @dissidentcigars_official #Sunday #Sundaysmoke #dissidentcigars #cigar #cigarsnob #cigarwomen

@thecigardoc #CigarFriday #SidneyPoitier #ALegend #CallMeMrTibbs #Cigar #CigarSnob #TheCigarDoc

JAN / FEB 2022 | CIGAR SNOB |

INSTAGRAM SCOREBOARD Since its launch in October of 2010, the cigar world has become enamored with Instagram. Today the ‘Gram is unquestionably the most popular platform on which to share snaps of what you’re smoking and drinking. This scoreboard is sorted by number of followers and broken into groups: Top 20 Cigar & Cigar Accessory Companies, Top 10 Retailers & Reps, Top 10 Cigar Influencers, Top 3 Cigar Organizations, and Top 3 Cigar Radio accounts. If you have the numbers and belong in one of these groups, stand up and be counted! Set us straight via Instagram @cigarsnobmag. TOP CIGAR & ACCESSORY COMPANIES ( sorted by Instagram followers )

TOP CIGAR ORGANIZATIONS

Padron Cigar @padroncigars ................................................... Drew Estate Cigars @drewestatecigar ..................................... Davidoff Cigars @davidoffcigars ............................................. Rocky Patel Premium Cigars @rockypatelcigar .......................... Arturo Fuente @arturofuentecigars ......................................... Epic Cigars @epiccigars ......................................................... Xikar Inc @xikar ..................................................................... Gurkha Cigars @gurkhacigars ................................................. Boveda @BovedaInc ............................................................... Camacho Cigars @camachocigars ........................................... La Flor Dominicana @LFDCigars .............................................. Ashton Cigars @ashtoncigar ................................................... My Father Cigars @myfathercigars .......................................... AJ Fernandez @ajfcigars ......................................................... Oliva Cigar Co. @olivacigar ..................................................... Alec Bradley Cigars @alecbradleycigar .................................... Nick Perdomo @Perdomocigars .............................................. Joya de Nicaragua @joyacigars ............................................... E. P. Carrillo Cigars @epcarrillo_cigars .................................... Plasencia Cigars @plasenciacigars .........................................

Premium Cigar Association @PCA1933 .................................... 14351 Tobacco Plus Expo @tobaccoplusexpo ..................................... 5263 Cigar Rights of America @cigarrightsofamerica ......................... 3684

155113 127778 127748 99484 89931 89030 75329 74633 73744 69855 64376 60542 59475 58515 56708 53440 50827 48889 48874 47539

TOP CIGAR RETAILERS & REPS Famous Smoke Shop @famoussmokeshop ............................... Privada Cigar Club @privadacigarclub ..................................... Mulberry St. Cigars @mulberrystcigars ................................... Cigar Hustler @cigarhustler .................................................... The Cigar Culture @thecigarculture ......................................... Master Sensei @cigardojo ...................................................... Michael Herklots @michaelherklots ......................................... Angela Yue @angela_yue ......................................................... La Casa Cigars & Lounge Vegas @lacasavegas ........................ Jeff Borysiewicz – Corona Cigar Co @coronacigarco ................

54862 54104 46812 29782 29264 26765 26069 24782 21873 18864

TOP ONLINE CIGAR INFLUENCERS ON INSTAGRAM Whiskey Girl Josie @whiskeygirl_josie ..................................... Delicia-Creator-Influencer @cigarvixen ................................... Cigar Lover @cigarlover12 ...................................................... Nikki @cigarpassionista .......................................................... Cigars / Smoke.Laugh.Live @world.of.cigars ............................ Liz Cigar Life Style @remarkable_liz ........................................ Melanie Sisco @lilsiscokidd21 ................................................. Angela, CCST & IACS CCS @cigarsmokingchick ....................... Elaine Lilley @elainelilleyhawaii ............................................... HERficinado / Cigar Lifestyle @herficionado .............................

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90333 85944 64852 44284 38264 36312 32031 28676 28650 28318

TOP CIGAR RADIO Cigar Dave Show @cigardave ................................................. 3321 KMA Talk Radio @KMATalkRadio ............................................. 1560 Cigars and Scotch @cigar_and_scotch .................................... 828

SOME OF OUR FAVORITE TWEETS, MENTIONS, AND RANDOM SOCIAL MEDIA GOODNESS.

@victorcalvocigars

VC ALL THE WAY! #VICTORCALVOCIGARS #VCCIGARS #VCMADURO #CIGARSNOB #CIGARS #CIGAR #CIGARPORN #CIGARLIFESTYLE #CIGARPHOTOGRAPHY

@cigarmodeon

Amazing Cigar Selection via @aspencigars What would be your first smoke? #cigarking #cigarboss #cigarlife #cigarsnob #cigarlover

JAN / FEB 2022 | CIGAR SNOB |

EVENTS iMORDECAI PREMIERE MIAMI JEWISH FILM FESTIVAL AT NORTH BEACH BANDSHELL Miami Beach

The world premiere of Drew Estate cofounder Marvin Samel’s heartwarming, cigar themed film took center stage on opening night of the Miami Jewish Film Festival to a packed house of over 650 film lovers. Samel started inadvertently writing the movie during a difficult time in his life as his mother Fela, played brilliantly by Carol Kane (Taxi, The Princess Bride, Scrooged) had been diagnosed with Alzheimer’s disease. “My wife had just given birth to twins, it should have been the happiest time in my life, but I was actually depressed,” said Samel over a phone interview with Cigar Snob. “I started writing these vignettes of my family; like the time that my dad pretended to have a twin brother. I remembered the time I took him to the Apple Store at Aventura Mall to get him an iPhone.” The memories of that time would eventually become the foundation for iMordecai, which he ended up directing. “The plan was not to have me direct, I’d never been on a film set!” Marvin went on to explain why the decision was made, “My producers were experienced filmmakers, they were searching for the right director and in the end they chose me because they felt that if I didn’t direct it, I would have lost control of my family’s story.” The film stars Judd Hirsch (Taxi, A Beautiful Mind, Independence Day, Ordinary People) as holocaust survivor Mordecai Samel, Sean Astin (Lord of the Rings, The Goonies, Stranger Things) as Mordecai’s son Marvin Samel, and the aforementioned Carol Kane as Fela Samel. In only her second appearance on the bigscreen, Azia Dinea Hale (F9:The Fast Saga) plays the role of Nina, who is hired by Samel to train Mordecai on how to use his new iPhone, which much to his chagrin, “has no buttons.” Cigars and cigar personalities feature heavily in the film, in one particular scene Marvin’s character shows off the blend to a group of his colleagues and competitors made up of the real Marvin Samel, Erik Espinosa (Espinosa Cigars), Abe Dababneh (Smoke Inn), Jeff Borysiewicz (Corona Cigar), Ryan Leeds (Empire Social), and Christian Eiroa (CLE). The uplifting comedy premiered at the Miami Jewish Film Festival. As of this writing, no additional showings or distribution deals have been announced. Follow the @imordecaimovie Instagram account for updates and future showings.

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Igor Shteyrenberg, Marvin Samel, Azia Dinea Hale and Judd Hirsch

The Cigar Family

Mordecai and Marvin Samel

The Cast

Abe Dababneh Marvin Samel and Erik Espinosa

Netta and Marvin Samel

Dennis Potter, Matty Rock and Pedro Martínez

Julie Sevilla

JAN / FEB 2022 | CIGAR SNOB |

EVENTS SHORE THING CIGARS DAVIDOFF WHITE PARTY Watersound, Fla.

The annual white party is put on by Luke Bryan’s Shore Thing Cigars in Watersound, Florida, in the Sunshine State’s panhandle. It’s an exclusive for Shore Thing’s devoted customers that this year included the reveal of the Luke Bryan Encore cigar with a special appearance by Alejandro Ruiz a.k.a. Revel, the famous live speed-painter, who presented an image of Bryan as part of the unveiling. Julio Martinez from Davidoff’s Dominican factory joined the party, hand-rolling the Encore.

Alejandro Ruiz

Julio Martínez, Paul Copeland, Riley Chandler, Garrett Damore, Lana Fraser, Dylan Austin and Shiah Goldberg

Julio Martínez

The Shore Thing Cigars Team

Garrett Damore, Lana Fraser, Shiah Goldberg and Dylan Austin

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d o O w D a e d

NEw!

JAN / FEB 2022 | CIGAR SNOB |

love is for suckers - cigars are for lovers love is for suckers - cigars are for lovers l

WElc0Me to deaDwoOd

EVENTS DAVIDOFF GOLDEN BAND AWARDS AT THE BILTMORE Coral Gables

The Davidoff Golden Band Awards bestowed honors on some of the top performers among its Appointed Merchants at the Biltmore Hotel in Coral Gables, Florida. Winners were flown in as guests at the hotel and the honors soiree featured a cocktail hour with a violinist as the backing track. The reception began with a five-course meal and flowed into the awards ceremony. After the awards were completed, everyone enjoyed the sought-after Davidoff Year of the Tiger cigar.

Dylan Austin, Michael Correia and Eddy Guerra

Lana Fraser, Cheryl Margado, Dylan Austin, Zachary Medwin, JT Guagliardo and Eddy Guerra

Juan and Jenny Barboza

Matthew Farokhian, Sam Khalil, Dylan Austin and Mike Khalil

Riley Chandler, Paul Copeland and Dylan Austin

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Harry and Rita Bahri

Kim Arbuckle, Richard Payton, Dylan Austin and Mark Holden

Eddy Guerra and Lana Fraser

Anthony Legato, Mike Cafagno and Josh Gottlieb

JAN / FEB 2022 | CIGAR SNOB |

EVENTS CIGARS UNDER THE STARS WITH MONTECRISTO CIGARS Doral, Fla.

Sabor Havana has made it a tradition to host a dinner the night before Smoke This and this year once again the South Florida tobacconist knocked it out of the park. The shop teamed up with Montecristo Cigars and, as with every dinner Sabor Havana does, Ruth’s Chris Steak House came out and prepared a fine, foody three-course meal. Wine was provided by Daou Wines, and each attendee received three Montecristo cigars.

Roger Peña and Willy Marante

Aquiles Legra, Rafael Nodal, Hank Bischoff and Jorge Valdés

Nick Rodríguez and Vanessa Fisher

Hank Bischoff, Rafael Nodal, Gustavo Blanco, Juan Antonio Guardarrama and Rigoberto Rodríguez

Maggie Estrada and Alma Valdés

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Lissette and Nick Nanavichit

Lucia Alvarez and Pilar Roque

David Delancy, Jose Morel and Nimish Desai

Danilo Cristo and Dan Davison

EVENTS SABOR HAVANA SMOKE THIS 2021 Doral, Fla.

This year’s Smoke This at Sabor Havana Cigars in Miami was a sold-out event that included two premium cigars per VIP ticket holder from the 22 cigar vendors, a total of 44 per lucky patron. The annual event again brought together cigar fans, industry notables and other influencers. Held the first Saturday of December since 2002, Smoke This included catered food, live music, and a premium spirits bar, all to a packed house that filled the afternoon with revelry. This year’s theme was “Money Heist,” as attendees entered the event through a busted bank safe to see fake money littering the grounds and themed games.

Anthony Ferrer and Carlos Carlito Fuente Jr.

Aquiles Legra, Jorge Valdes, Adriana, and Nathan Hanson

Albion Domínguez and Carlos Escalona

Stefano Medina and Albert Sosa

Henry Infante and Angela Lewk

Oliver Hyams and Jill Meyers Rubenstein

Charlie López and Omar Fernández

JAN / FEB 2022 | CIGAR SNOB |

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EVENTS CIGAR HERITAGE FESTIVAL Ybor City

The Cigar Heritage Festival, a staple in the cigar community since 1998, took place at Centennial Park in Tampa’s Ybor City, featuring 150 vendors selling cigars, jewelry, art and clothing. Mobile cigar lounges lined one section of the park, and food trucks dished up local goodies, while Orchestra Fuego provided the music to the thousands of attendees, who kept Cigar City smoky at what has been called the “world’s largest cigar festival.”

Armando Padrón and Frank Cruz

Lisa Figueredo and Chidi Ahanotu

Bob Aguinaga and Nancy Musella

Danny Williams, Julie and Mike Thomas

Brian Chinnock and Keith Anderson

Michael and Debra Brown

Mitch and Shannon Mesenburg

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Lui Mahal and Arlene C. Benton

Mike Wasp and Hamlet Paredes

JAN / FEB 2022 | CIGAR SNOB |

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EVENTS OLIVA CIGARS NIGHT AT CUBA UNDER THE STARS Miami

Oliva Cigar Company celebrated Fred Vandermarliere’s birthday at Cuba Under the Stars, which began before the show with a greeting glass of champagne and a box of Oliva cigars, followed up by a bevy of drinks and hors d’oeuvres. Dinner was served during the show, and singer Albita summoned Fred to the stage as she sang him a bilingual version of “Happy Birthday.” The after party kept the celebration moving, with stilt walkers, drummers, Tropicana theme dancers and music from DJ Carluba.

Guido Vandermarliere, Gilberto Oliva Jr. and Fred Vandermarliere

Lourdes and Christopher Hodges

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Oliva Team

Jeff Nolen, Cory Bappert, Nick Zaglifa and Fred Vandermarliere

Jeannie Oliva Suárez, Barbie Calviño and Jeanne Oliva

Rick Rutz and Kevin McKenna

Ciro and Maggie Rodríguez, Barbie and Ozzie Gómez

Paul Costo, John Mailander and Ian Hummel

Carluba, Melissa and Danny Rodríguez

Mr. and Mrs. Larry Barditch

Fred Vandermarliere, Erik Calviño and Guido Vandermarliere

Cristina Tano and Fred Vandermarliere

Mani Minassian, Brian McGuire and Nick Zaglifa

Joel and Jennifer Valdés

Ian Blanken and Melina Brokmeier

Carmenchu and Frank Mingo

Yadira Creighton, Bernie Rodríguez, Chris Borras and Fred Vandermarliere

JAN / FEB 2022 | CIGAR SNOB |

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EVENTS CREATIVAS TOY DRIVE AT THE BILTMORE Coral Gables

Creativas Group Public Relations and Branding hosted its 20th annual holiday toy drive at the Biltmore Hotel in Miami, drawing close to 600 guests, and collected over 1,000 toys. Among the participating local businesses were Casa Cuevas Cigars, Empire Social Lounge Cigar & Whiskey Bar, Ruth’s Chris Steak House and Cigar Snob Magazine. The event benefited the Nicklaus Children’s Hospital Foundation, and guests enjoyed a cocktail reception and food from some of Miami’s most popular eateries. Music was provided by DJ DIAGA and DJ Rob Marcano.

Alec, Denise, Isa and Luis Cuevas

Harry and Niña Blustein

(Columbus Capital Lending) Sean Guim, Rafael Benítez, Renzo Renzi, Rolando Benítez

Dianna Gorrin, Aj Gorrin, Pao Correa

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Sean McCormick, Raluca Panica and Gabriel Piñeres

Anna Maxwell, Javier Maudet, Angela Santamaria

For 30 years, Quark Expeditions has been taking travelers to Greenland, the Norwegian archipelago of Svalbard, the Canadian High Arctic and remote Russia. Why not join us? Witness incredible wildlife: polar bears, whales, muskoxen, reindeer, walruses, and birds Get close-up views of icebergs, glaciers and snowcapped peaks Choose an off-ship adventure—such as flightseeing, kayaking or mountain biking Travel deep into the Arctic regions on our two twinengine helicopters and 20 quick-deploy Zodiacs

Voyages start at $11,913

Call one of our Polar Travel Advisors:

1.855.657.3273 24 hours a day Monday to Friday, and Saturday until 4 pm. *Average voyage starting price. Starting price is subject to change. We reserve the right to change our products’ JAN / FEB 2022 | CIGAR SNOB | 107 prices at any time without further notice.

EVENTS EXIT ONE TAPROOM AND OLIVA CIGAR Florida City

Exit One Taproom and Oliva Cigar teamed up for a special Saturday night blast at the South Florida venue that poured into the parking lot where six food trucks served up sushi, BBQ, empanadas, and adventurous Latin cuisine. Kaliente and DJ Exotic provided the sounds and Exit One’s deep beer menu was plumbed with gusto, while everyone enjoyed the awardwinning Oliva smokes. Auris and Breeze Leza, Katherine López and Albert Sosa

Ari and Iris Santiago

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Alberto Rivera

Alain and Yanirka Aguilar

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