Cigar Insider internet only
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DECEMBER 23, 2014
IN THIS ISSUE:
n
VOL. 19, NO. 24
n
FROM THE PUBLISHER OF CIGAR AFICIONADO MAGAZINE
CIGAR INSIDER’S TOP SCORES OF 2014
PREVIEWS FROM THE FEBRUARY 2015 CIGAR AFICIONADO MAGAZINE:
Ashton Estate Sun Grown 22-Year Salute
Dom. Rep.
94
A. Flores 1975 Serie Privada Capa Habano SP 52
Dom. Rep.
93
Achilles Heroicos
Nicaragua
93
Cohiba Siglo VI
Cuba
93
Illusione Fume d’Amour Clementes
Nicaragua
93
Partagás Lusitania Gran Reserva
Cuba
93
San Cristobal de la Habana El Morro
Cuba
93
Alec Bradley Mundial No. 5
Honduras
92
Arturo Fuente Don Carlos No. 2
Dom. Rep.
92
Ashton Estate Sun Grown 24-Year Salute
Dom. Rep.
92
Cohiba Siglo III
Cuba
92
Cohiba Siglo IV
Cuba
92
La Palina Classic Lancero
Dom. Rep.
92
Montecristo Petit No. 2
Cuba
92
Padrón Family Reserve 44 Years Maduro
Nicaragua
92
CIGAR NEWS:
Padrón Family Reserve 50 Years Maduro
Nicaragua
92
n
Quai d’Orsay Belicoso Royale Exclusivo Francia
Cuba
92
Rocky Patel Platinum Robusto
Nicaragua
92
San Cristobal Revelation Legend
Nicaragua
92
ACTOR LIAM NEESON
San Cristobal Revelation Triumph
Nicaragua
92
THE THINKING MAN’S MOVIE STAR has taken
WHERE THE TOP SCORERS ARE MADE
Ashton Virgin Sun Grown Spellbound [page 2] n Partagás Lusitania [page 2] n Ashton Estate Sun Grown 24-Year Salute [page 2] n Hoyo de Monterrey Double Corona [page 2] n Padrón Family Reserve 44 Years Maduro [page 3] n San Cristobal Revelation Triumph [page 3] n La Antiguedad Robusto [page 3] n La Bohéme Poeta [page 3] n
INDUSTRY ANALYSIS: Average Score by Brand [page 4] n Average Score by Size and Country [page 5] n Humidor Selections—46 Cigars Rated 91+ in 2014 [page 6] n Analysis by Country [page 7] n Cigars for a Budget—Our Best Buys [page 8] n Comprehensive Tasting Report for 2014: 266 Cigar Ratings [page 10] n
Major Changes to U.S.-Cuba Relations [page 8]
on roles and personas that range from the serious to the action hero. The February issue of Cigar Aficionado tells the story of Neeson’s career and his thoughts on acting. Plus, see the Top 25 Cigars of 2014, including the No. 1 Cigar of the Year.
Source: Cigar Insider
COUNTRY
CIGARS RATED
90 POINTS OR HIGHER
PERCENT
Cuba
29
18
62.1%
U.S.A.
21
11
52.4%
Dom. Rep.
81
34
42.0%
Honduras
43
17
40.0%
Nicaragua
92
36
39.1%
Source: Cigar Insider
CIGAR INSIDER SPECIAL REPORT: 2014 YEAR IN REVIEW BY GREGORY MOTTOLA
C
igar Insider’s annual year in review is a comprehensive cross section and examination of all the brands we rated throughout the year. Some come from companies that are familiar industry standards, while others are from producers who might not have the same production or distribution as some of the industry’s bigger cigar companies. [continued on page 5] TO SUBSCRIBE GO TO WWW.CIGARINSIDER.COM
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TASTING REPORT: EXCLUSIVE FEBRUARY 2015 CIGAR AFICIONADO PREVIEWS
93 RING GAUGE: 54 LENGTH: 7 1/2" FILLER: Dom. Rep. BINDER: Dom. Rep. WRAPPER: Ecuador
ASHTON VIRGIN SUN GROWN SPELLBOUND
DOM. REP.
This box-pressed double corona is covered in a dark, oily wrapper. Each toasty puff carries notes of chocolate and earth balanced by minerals and a touch of peppermint.
Price: $14.50
Body: Medium to Full
93 RING GAUGE: 49 LENGTH: 7 5/8" FILLER: Cuba BINDER: Cuba WRAPPER: Cuba
PARTAGÁS LUSITANIA
CUBA
A dark wrapper and flat head make this a very attractive double corona. Notes of semisweet chocolate harmonize with bitter orange peel, leather and freshly cut pine.
Box Date: April 2013 Price: £25.00 (U.K.)
Body: Medium
92 RING GAUGE: 48 LENGTH: 6 5/8" FILLER: Dom. Rep. BINDER: Dom. Rep. WRAPPER: Dom. Rep.
ASHTON ESTATE SUN GROWN 24-YEAR SALUTE
DOM. REP.
A long perfecto with symmetrical construction and a full draw that imparts bright and zesty smoke full of dried orange peel, red pepper flakes and underlying woodiness.
Price: $21.00
Body: Medium
92 RING GAUGE: 49 LENGTH: 7 5/8" FILLER: Cuba BINDER: Cuba WRAPPER: Cuba
HOYO DE MONTERREY DOUBLE CORONA
CUBA
Dressed in a medium-claro wrapper, this double corona is finished with a flat head and three-seam cap. It’s woody and grassy at first, but takes on rich chocolate notes, hints of vanilla bean and touches of citrus.
Box Date: July 2013 Price: £24.94 (U.K.)
Body: Medium to Full
95-100: Classic n 90-94: Outstanding n 80-89: Very good to excellent n 70-79: Average to good commercial quality Below 70: Don’t waste your money n N/A: Not Available Note: Prices are manufacturers’ suggested retail, before taxes.
2
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December 23, 2014
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TASTING REPORT: EXCLUSIVE FEBRUARY 2015 CIGAR AFICIONADO PREVIEWS
92 RING GAUGE: 52 LENGTH: 6" FILLER: Nicaragua BINDER: Nicaragua WRAPPER: Nicaragua
PADRÓN FAMILY RESERVE 44 YEARS MADURO
NICARAGUA
A box-pressed torpedo with a dark wrapper and opulent draw. It’s rich and sweet with coffee bean and toast complemented by notes of chocolate and graham cracker.
Price: $31.30
Body: Medium to Full
92 RING GAUGE: 50 LENGTH: 7" FILLER: Nicaragua BINDER: Nicaragua WRAPPER: Ecuador
SAN CRISTOBAL REVELATION TRIUMPH
NICARAGUA
Tall and box pressed with a three-seam cap. The draw is substantial, leaving tangy impressions of orange peel and horseradish balanced by sweet leather and earth.
Price: $8.50
Body: Medium to Full
91 RING GAUGE: 52 LENGTH: 5 1/4" FILLER: Nicaragua BINDER: Nicaragua WRAPPER: Ecuador
LA ANTIGUEDAD ROBUSTO
NICARAGUA
This box-pressed cigar is a strong and hearty smoke full of baker’s chocolate, roasted coffee beans and earth, but balanced by floral sweetness.
Price: $7.40
Body: Medium to Full
91 RING GAUGE: 54 LENGTH: 5 3/4" FILLER: Dom. Rep. BINDER: Dom. Rep. WRAPPER: Ecuador
LA BOHÉME POETA
DOM. REP.
Wrapped in an oily cover leaf, this cigar draws perfectly, delivering earthy, tea-like intonations that intensify to show leather, minerals and a red wine note.
Price: $12.24
Body: Medium to Full
95-100: Classic n 90-94: Outstanding n 80-89: Very good to excellent n 70-79: Average to good commercial quality Below 70: Don’t waste your money n N/A: Not Available Note: Prices are manufacturers’ suggested retail, before taxes.
3
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AVERAGE SCORE BY BRAND Brand
Rating
Brand
Rating
Montecristo, Cuba (1 Cigar)
92.0
Hoyo de Monterrey Excalibur, Honduras (2)
89.0
Quai d’Orsay, Cuba (1)
92.0
Kismet (5)
89.0
601 La Bomba Warhead II (1)
91.0
La Bohéme (4)
89.0
H. Upmann, Cuba (1)
91.0
Matilde Renacer (4)
89.0
L’Atelier Selection Spéciale (1)
91.0
My Father Connecticut (4)
89.0
Punch Rare Corojo, Honduras (1)
91.0
Rogue (5)
89.0
Ashton Estate Sun Grown (5)
90.6
The Edge Habano (2)
89.0
Cohiba, Cuba (7)
90.6
Viaje Skull And Bones (1)
89.0
Padrón Family Reserve (5)
90.6
7-20-4 Hustler (4)
88.8
Aging Room Small Batch M356 (2)
90.5
Alec Bradley Coyol (6)
88.8
Bolivar, Cuba (2)
90.5
Ashton Virgin Sun Grown (4)
88.8
La Flor de Cano, Cuba (2)
90.5
Padilla Connecticut (4)
88.8
Partagás, Cuba (4)
90.5
Señorial by José Blanco (5)
88.8
Illusione Fume d’Amour (4)
90.3
Tatuaje Cabinet (6)
88.8
A. Flores 1975 Serie Privada Capa Habano (3)
90.0
Hammer + Sickle Hermitage No. 1 (3)
88.7
Casa Fernandez Miami Aganorsa Leaf Maduro (1)
90.0
Las Calaveras Edición Limitada 2014 (3)
88.7
Davidoff Nicaragua (1)
90.0
Rocky Patel Decade Cameroon (3)
88.7
E.P. Carrillo La Historia (3)
90.0
Eiroa (4)
88.5
Herrera Esteli (1)
90.0
La Flor Dominicana 1994 (4)
88.5
Joya de Nicaragua (1)
90.0
Vault by Toraño D-042 (4)
88.5
La Flor Dominicana (1)
90.0
Vegueros, Cuba (2)
88.5
La Palina Classic (3)
90.0
Jericho Hill (4)
88.3
Tatuaje Black (1)
90.0
Juan Lopez, Nicaragua (3)
88.3
Arturo Fuente Don Carlos (7)
89.8
RyJ by Romeo y Julieta, Honduras (3)
88.3
Achilles (3)
89.7
Quesada 40th Anniversary (5)
88.2
Curivari Café Noir Reserva Limitada (3)
89.7
Camacho Ecuador (5)
88.0
Juan Lopez, Cuba (3)
89.7
Cohiba Nicaragua (4)
88.0
San Cristobal Revelation, Nicaragua (6)
89.7
L’Atelier (1)
88.0
The Banker by H. Upmann, Dom. Rep. (3)
89.7
La Antiguedad (5)
88.0
Alec Bradley Mundial (5)
89.6
Joya Red (4)
87.8
Casa Magna D. Magnus II (2)
89.5
Nat Sherman 1930 (6)
87.8
Norteño (6)
89.5
Trill (5)
87.6
La Palina Collection Mr. Sam (3)
89.3
Tatuaje Tattoo (4)
87.5
Montecristo Espada, Nicaragua (3)
89.3
Davidoff (1)
87.0
Rocky Patel Platinum (3)
89.3
Vegas Robaina, Cuba (1)
87.0
San Cristobal de la Habana, Cuba (3)
89.3
Viaje Exclusivo Leaded (1)
87.0
Don Pepin Garcia Original (10)
89.1
Villiger Talanga (5)
87.0
Ezra Zion Tantrum (1)
89.0
Inch by E.P. Carrillo Short Run 2014 (3)
86.7
Fonseca, Cuba (1)
89.0
Avo (1)
86.0
Hoja de Flores Auténtico Maduro (3)
89.0
Davidoff Maduro (3)
86.0
Hoyo de Monterrey, Cuba (1)
89.0
Room 101 Master Collection (5)
85.8
Source: Cigar Insider
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December 23, 2014
Cigar Insider AVERAGE SCORE BY SIZE
1. Double Corona
4 Cigars
90.5
2. “A”
1 Cigar
90.0
3. Figurado
38 Cigars
89.8
4. Panetela
6 Cigars
89.3
4. Lonsdale
4 Cigars
89.3
6. Petit Corona
7 Cigars
89.1
6. Robusto
52 Cigars
89.1
6. Churchill
19 Cigars
89.1
9. Corona Gorda
87 Cigars
88.9
10. Corona
10 Cigars
88.7
11. Miscellaneous
10 Cigars
88.1
12. Grande
28 Cigars
87.9
Source: Cigar Insider
[continued from cover] In 2014, Cigar Insider rated 266 cigars. Of that total, 116 smokes scored 90 points or higher (or 43.6%). Forty-six of those smokes scored 91 points or higher. The high scores were achieved by cigar manufacturers from every major cigar producing region, and the relative abundance of cigars that scored at least 90 points gives smokers not only a diverse range of cigar styles from which to choose but a wide variety of price points as well. Although no cigar quite reached the classic benchmark score of 95 points, one smoke did reach 94 points: the Ashton Estate Sun Grown 22-Year Salute. Not only is it Cigar Insider’s highest rated cigar of this year, it also achieved the No. 8 spot on Cigar Aficionado’s Top 25 Cigars of 2014. It’s made in the Dominican Republic in very limited quantities by the Fuentes and features a Dominican wrapper grown on the same plantation that produces the famed Fuente Fuente OpusX wrapper. It would be a mistake, however, to simply characterize this smoke as an Ashton cigar with an OpusX wrapper. The tobacco in the blend was carefully formulated for balance and distinction. Six cigars this year scored 93 points, only one of which came from the Dominican Republic—the A. Flores 1975 Serie Privada Capa Habano SP 52. The brand is owned by Abe Flores and Luis Rodriguez and made in the Dominican Republic at the PDR Cigars factory. Like the Ashton Estate Sun Grown, its high score in the Cigar Insider made the A. Flores eligible for Cigar Aficionado’s Top 25 consideration. The cigar was able to repeat its exceptional Insider performance and became Cigar Aficionado’s No. 10 cigar of 2014. Two cigars from Nicaragua scored 93 points and both were newcomers to the market—the Illusione Fume d’Amour 5
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Clementes (Cigar Aficionado’s No. 3 cigar of 2014), and the Achilles Heroicos, a small brand owned by Curivari and produced at the Nestor Plasencia factory. Three Cubans scored 93 points. The San Cristobal de la Habana El Moro and the Cohiba Siglo VI are regularproduction cigars and not at all new to most Cuban cigar smokers. But the Partagás Lusitania Gran Reserva is one of Cuba’s limited and exclusive releases. According to Cuban cigar distributor Habanos S.A., this Partagás contains tobacco from a 2007 harvest, and at £65 (more than twice the price of a regular Lusitania) it does not come cheap. The perspective on the year’s top scores changes when one looks at the highest average by brand, rather than individual cigars. When averaged by entire brand, two lines scored 92 points, both of which were Cuban. Montecristo and Quai d’Orsay were the only two brands to average 92 points. Four brands averaged 91 points. While the 601 La Bomba Warhead II and L’Atelier Selection Spéciale are made in Nicaragua, H. Upmann is produced in Cuba and the Punch Rare Corojo comes from Honduras. These numbers, however, do not tell the entire story. Though the averages are the highest for these brands, it’s important to note that only one cigar for each was tested, making its representation for the rest of the line somewhat limited. Compare that to brands like the Ashton Estate Sun Grown, the Cuban Cohiba and the Padrón Family Reserve. These three brands averaged slightly lower at 90.6 points, but the entire line was accounted for. Ashton had seven cigars averaged in its vertical brand tasting. Cohiba and Padrón Family Reserve both had five each. Because of the comprehensive nature of an entire brand vertical tasting, these averages are far more telling and speak much more to the brand’s consistency and quality across the entire line. Like the past two years, 2014 was a very good year for Cuban cigars. Cigar Insider rated 29 smokes from Cuba and they averaged a score of 90.07 points. The average included special cigars like Edición Limitadas and a Gran Reserva to regular-production cigars like the Cohiba Siglo Series. Cigars manufactured in the United States, 21 in total, achieved an average of 89.10. Though the country averages drop a bit for Nicaragua, Honduras and the Dominican Republic, the volume also [continued on page 8]
AVERAGE SCORE BY COUNTRY 1. Cuba
29 Cigars
90.07
2. U.S.A.
21 Cigars
89.10
3. Nicaragua
92 Cigars
88.93
4. Dom. Rep.
81 Cigars
88.83
5. Honduras
43 Cigars
88.60
Source: Cigar Insider
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December 23, 2014
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2014 HUMIDOR SELECTIONS RING GAUGE
LENGTH
$20.00
52
6"
Dominican Republic
$9.75
52
5"
Dominican Republic
SCORE BRAND PRICE
94
Ashton Estate Sun Grown 22-Year Salute
93
A. Flores 1975 Serie Privada Capa Habano SP 52
93
Achilles Heroicos
93
Cohiba Siglo VI
93
Illusione Fume d’Amour Clementes
93
COUNTRY
$8.50
50
5 1/4"
Nicaragua
£33.30
52
5 7/8"
Cuba
$9.50
48
6 1/2"
Nicaragua
Partagás Lusitania Gran Reserva
£65.00
49
7 5/8"
Cuba
93
San Cristobal de la Habana El Morro
£23.20
49
7 1/8"
Cuba
92
Alec Bradley Mundial No. 5
$11.95
52
5 1/8"
Honduras
92
Arturo Fuente Don Carlos No. 2
$13.75
55
6"
Dominican Republic
92
Ashton Estate Sun Grown 24-Year Salute
$21.00
48
6 5/8"
Dominican Republic
92
Cohiba Siglo III
£23.90
42
6"
Cuba
92
Cohiba Siglo IV
£25.00
46
5 5/8"
Cuba
92
La Palina Classic Lancero
$8.00
38
7"
92
Montecristo Petit No. 2
£17.40
52
4 3/4"
92
Padrón Family Reserve 44 Years Maduro
$31.30
52
6"
Nicaragua
92
Padrón Family Reserve 50 Years Maduro
$25.00
54
5"
Nicaragua
92
Quai d’Orsay Belicoso Royale Exclusivo Francia
¤12.90
52
5"
Cuba
92
Rocky Patel Platinum Robusto
$10.30
50
5 1/2"
Nicaragua
92
San Cristobal Revelation Legend
$7.75
52
6 1/4"
Nicaragua
92
San Cristobal Revelation Triumph
91
601 La Bomba Warhead II Prominente
91
7-20-4 Hustler Dog Walker
91
Aging Room Small Batch M356 Motivo
91
Arturo Fuente Don Carlos Belicoso
91
Ashton Virgin Sun Grown Robusto
91
Dominican Republic Cuba
$8.50
50
7"
Nicaragua
$10.95
56
5 1/2
Nicaragua
$5.50
40
4 1/2"
Honduras
$8.01
46
6"
Dominican Republic
$11.75
52
5 3/8"
Dominican Republic
$10.75
50
5 1/2"
Dominican Republic
Ashton Virgin Sun Grown Spellbound
$14.50
54
7 1/2"
Dominican Republic
91
Bolivar Libertadores
£27.50
54
6 1/2"
Cuba
91
Camacho Ecuador Figurado
$7.80
54
6 1/8"
Honduras
91
Cohiba Siglo V
£29.90
43
6 3/4"
Cuba
91
Don Pepin Garcia Original Invictos
$8.00
50
5"
U.S.A.
91
E.P. Carrillo La Historia E-III
$8.75
54
6 7/8"
Dominican Republic
91
H. Upmann Connossieur A
£22.50
52
5 1/2"
Cuba
91
Hoja de Flores Auténtico Maduro Toro
$12.20
54
6 1/4"
Dominican Republic
91
Hoyo de Monterrey Excalibur Short Crystal
$7.49
50
5 1/4"
Honduras
91
Illusione Fume d’Amour Viejos
$7.50
50
5"
Nicaragua
91
La Bohéme Pittore
$11.94
52
5 1/8"
Dominican Republic
91
La Bohéme Poeta
$12.24
54
5 3/4"
Dominican Republic
91
La Flor de Cano Gran Cano Exclusivo Gran Bretaña
£20.00
50
5 1/2"
Cuba
91
La Palina Classic Short Robusto
$6.75
58
4 1/2"
Dominican Republic
91
L’Atelier Selection Spéciale LAT Torpedo
$9.50
52
6 1/8"
Nicaragua
91
Matilde Renacer Corona
$7.50
44
5 1/2"
91
Padrón Family Reserve 45 Years Maduro
$26.30
52
6"
Nicaragua
91
Punch Rare Corojo Rare Salomon
$7.99
57
7 1/4"
Honduras
91
Tatuaje Cabinet Noella
$8.00
42
5 1/8"
Nicaragua
91
The Banker by H. Upmann Currency
$7.00
48
5 1/2"
Dominican Republic
91
Vault by Toraño D-042 Torpedo
$7.96
52
6 1/8"
Nicaragua
Dominican Republic
Source: Cigar Insider
6
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ANALYSIS BY COUNTRY BRAND CIGARS AVERAGE SCORE
CUBA Montecristo 1 92.0 Quai d’Orsay 1 92.0 H. Upmann 1 91.0 Cohiba 7 90.6 Bolivar 2 90.5 La Flor de Cano 2 90.5 Partagás 4 90.5 Juan Lopez 3 89.7 San Cristobal de la Habana 3 89.3 Fonseca 1 89.0 Hoyo de Monterrey 1 89.0 Vegueros 2 88.5 Vegas Robaina 1 87.0 TOTAL 29 90.08 DOMINICAN REPUBLIC Ashton Estate Sun Grown 5 90.6 Aging Room Small Batch M356 2 90.5 A. Flores 1975 Serie Privada Capa Habano
3
90.0
Davidoff Nicaragua 1 90.0 E.P. Carrillo La Historia 3 90.0 La Flor Dominicana 1 90.0 La Palina Classic 3 90.0 Arturo Fuente Don Carlos 7 89.8 The Banker by H. Upmann 3 89.7 Hoja de Flores Auténtico Maduro 3 89.0 Kismet 5 89.0 La Bohéme 4 89.0 Matilde Renacer 4 89.0 Ashton Virgin Sun Grown 4 88.8 Señorial by José Blanco 5 88.8 La Flor Dominicana 1994 4 88.5 Quesada 40th Anniversary 5 88.2 Nat Sherman 1930 6 87.8 Trill 5 87.6 Davidoff 1 87.0 Inch by E.P. Carrillo Short Run 2014 3 86.7 Avo 1 86.0 Davidoff Maduro 3 86.0 TOTAL 81 88.84 HONDURAS Punch Rare Corojo 1 91.0 Alec Bradley Mundial 5 89.6 Hoyo de Monterrey Excalibur 2 89.0 Viaje Skull And Bones 1 89.0 7-20-4 Hustler 4 88.8
AVERAGE PRICE
£17.40 ¤12.90 £22.50 £25.87 £23.62 £19.69 £30.37 £14.15 £17.38 £11.04 £22.91 ¤4.80 C$43.50 £20.67
$19.30 $8.42 $11.25 $17.90 $8.25 $10.70 $7.42 $11.31 $7.62 $12.40 $7.80 $11.06 $8.25 $11.71 $9.00 $7.95 $10.46 $11.00 $7.18 $39.00 $9.70 $16.00 $17.87 $11.03
$7.99 $13.35 $7.64 $8.96 $8.88
BRAND CIGARS AVERAGE SCORE
AVERAGE PRICE
Alec Bradley Coyol 6 88.8 Hammer + Sickle Hermitage No. 1 3 88.7 Rocky Patel Decade Cameroon 3 88.7 Eiroa 4 88.5 RyJ by Romeo y Julieta 3 88.3 Camacho Ecuador 5 88.0 Viaje Exclusivo Leaded 1 87.0 Room 101 Master Collection 5 85.8 TOTAL 43 88.4 NICARAGUA 601 La Bomba Warhead II 1 91.0 L’Atelier Selection Spéciale 1 91.0 Padrón Family Reserve 5 90.6 Illusione Fume d’Amour 4 90.3 Herrera Esteli 1 90.0 Joya de Nicaragua 1 90.0 Tatuaje Black 1 90.0 Achilles 3 89.7 Curivari Café Noir Reserva Limitada 3 89.7 San Cristobal Revelation 6 89.7 Casa Magna D. Magnus II 2 89.5 Norteño 6 89.5 Rocky Patel Platinum 3 89.3 Montecristo Espada 3 89.3 My Father Connecticut 4 89.0 Rogue 5 89.0 The Edge Habano 2 89.0 Padilla Connecticut 4 88.8 Las Calaveras Edición Limitada 2014 3 88.7 Vault by Toraño D-042 4 88.5 Jericho Hill 4 88.3 Juan Lopez 3 88.3 Cohiba Nicaragua 4 88.0 L’Atelier 1 88.0 La Antiguedad 5 88.0 Joya Red 4 87.8 Tatuaje Tattoo 4 87.5 Villiger Talanga 5 87.0 TOTAL 92 88.95 U.S.A.
$8.18 $8.75 $10.58 $10.45 $8.42 $7.42 $9.44 $10.00 $9.42
$10.95 $9.50 $25.86 $8.41 $12.00 $12.50 $10.00 $9.17 $8.65 $8.12 $10.95 $10.75 $10.70 $11.83 $8.13 $7.99 $6.43 $9.23 $9.95 $7.82 $9.05 $5.75 $12.99 $9.50 $8.26 $6.25 $5.75 $8.40 $9.82
Casa Fernandez Miami Aganorsa Leaf Maduro
1
90.0
$8.90
La Palina Collection Mr. Sam Don Pepin Garcia Original Ezra Zion Tantrum Tatuaje Cabinet TOTAL
3 10 1 6 21
89.3 89.1 89.0 88.8 89.08
$12.33 $8.11 $9.50 $10.00 $9.36
Note: All Cuban cigar prices have been converted into British pounds for sake of comparison. Source: Cigar Insider
7
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December 23, 2014
Cigar Insider 2014 BEST BUYS SCORE
CIGAR
CIGAR NEWS
PRICE
90
Joya Red Robusto
$5.75
90
Juan Lopez Seleccion No. 3
$6.00
89
Rogue Rascal
$5.99
89
Tatuaje Tattoo Caballero
$5.00
MAJOR CHANGES TO U.S.-CUBA RELATIONS
88
Juan Lopez Seleccion No. 1
$5.50
BY DAVID SAVONA
88
Tatuaje Tattoo Universo
$5.50
87
Joya Red Short Churchill
$5.25
87
Juan Lopez Seleccion No. 2
$5.75
T
87
Vegueros Tapados
¤4.60
Source: Cigar Insider
[continued from page 5] increases exponentially. Cuba’s 90.07 average only takes into consideration the 29 cigars rated in 2014. By comparison, Nicaragua’s 88.93 average is calculated from 92 cigars; the Dominican Republic’s average, from 81 cigars; and Honduras’s average, from 43 cigars. All five cigar-producing countries scored within two points of each other—compelling evidence that the quality gap between countries is negligible. There was no shortage of great cigars this year, but budgetconscious smokers may have been challenged to find excellent cigars at excellent prices. Cigar Insider classifies its “Best Buy” designation as cigars with a score of 87 points or higher, but with a retail price of no more than $6. Only nine cigars that we tested met that criteria, the highest scores being the Joya Red Robusto and the Juan Lopez Seleccion No. 3, both of which scored 90 points. The Joya retails for $5.75, the Juan Lopez only a quarter more. Juan Lopez is an Americanfriendly version of a classic Cuban brand. The Joya Red is Joya de Nicaragua’s move to medium-bodied cigars. Double Coronas, though we only rated four this year, took the top average at 90.5 points. The single “A” size rated averaged 90 points. Cigar Insider rated 87 Corona Gordas in 2014—the most of any category— and these smokes ended up in the No. 9 spot. At 52 cigars, the Robusto category tied for No. 6 with an average of 89.1. Note the new Grande category, which covers any cigar with a 60 ring gauge or larger. The undeniable trend towards 60, 70 and even 80 ring gauge cigars justified the creation of a new category, although these fat smokes posted the lowest average by size. The cigar brands in this analysis and their respective performance numbers represent not only a cross section of the year’s releases but also what is available in cigar stores and what smokers are consistently buying. Numbers can show clearly how the cigars performed under Cigar Insider’s blind-tasting parameters, but more importantly, they are a strong indication that great cigars do not have to be expensive, are not made in a single size or do not come from only one country. n
8
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he United States government has announced sweeping changes to its longstanding embargo against Cuba. Soon there will be a U.S. embassy in Havana; Americans will be allowed to send more money to Cuba, both for relatives and for the development of business; and Americans visiting the island will be able to return to the U.S. with some Cuban products, including Cohibas and other Cuban cigars. These moves are not an end to the embargo, and President Barack Obama needs Congress to fully normalize relations. In a speech given last week from the White House, he said he would reach out to Congress to begin talks to end the embargo. These actions are the result of high-level, direct discussions between the U.S. and Cuban governments, including a conversation lasting approximately one hour between President Obama and Cuban President Raúl Castro that led to the release of prisoners held by both countries, including Alan Gross, an American who had been held in Cuba for five years, and an unnamed American spy who was incarcerated in Cuba for nearly 20 years. These are the biggest changes in U.S.-Cuba policy since the embargo as we know it began in 1962. “In the most significant changes in our policy in more than 50 years, we are going to end an outdated approach that, for decades, has failed to advance our interests. And, instead, we will begin to normalize relations between our two countries,” said President Obama. The president spoke frankly about the embargo, calling it a policy that has not worked. “It has had little effect,” he said, “beyond providing the Cuban government with a rationale for providing restrictions on its people. Today, Cuba is still governed by the Castros and the communist party that came to power half a century ago.” The changes are dramatic, if not complete. This news does not mean that Cuban cigars and other goods will appear in U.S. cigar shops tomorrow morning, but it does pave an important first step—and a big one—toward establishing normalized relations between the two countries. Secretary of State John Kerry will immediately begin official talks with Cuba, which have been essentially nonexistent since January 1961. The U.S. embassy in Havana will be re-established, marking the first time since 1961 that the U.S. would have a formal embassy in Cuba (The U.S. presently has an Interests Section in Cuba, which is not an official embassy).
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December 23, 2014
Cigar Insider The flow of money to Cuban nationals (excluding certain government officials) by Americans will be vastly increased, from $500 per quarter to $2,000 per quarter, with no limit on donations for humanitarian efforts. U.S. businesses will have an easier time sending goods to Cuba and setting up financing on the island. President Obama spoke of Americans being allowed to use U.S. credit and debit cards on the island, something that has been prohibited. The changes seem to favor the flow of U.S. goods to Cuba, while still largely curtailing the flow in the opposite direction. And while tourism will not be openly allowed under these new policies, and most Americans will still be prohibited from traveling to Cuba, those who are able to travel (including those with family in Cuba, people on humanitarian missions, journalists) will have an easier time getting there. “It will be easier for Americans to travel to Cuba,” said Obama. For the first time since the Bush Administration, travelers who go on a trip between Cuba and the U.S. will be permitted to return to the U.S. with up to $400 in Cuban goods. Only $100 of those goods can be tobacco or alcohol. Since most boxes of 25 Cuban cigars sell for more than $100 in Havana, in many cases travelers will be prohibited from legally bringing back a full box of cigars. A source at the U.S. Department of the Treasury, speaking on background, said the limits would apply only to authorized trips between Cuba and the U.S. American travelers going to third-party countries such as France or the United Kingdom could not legally bring Cuban cigars (or any other Cuban products) to the U.S. upon their return. “Travelers to other parts of the world will not be permitted to bring in Cuban cigars,” the source said. The source expected the regulations to be revised “in the coming weeks.” President Obama emphasized human rights several times in his speech, and noted the damage the embargo has done to ordinary Cubans, if not the government in power. “U.S. engagement will be critical when appropriate and will include continued strong support for improved human rights conditions and democratic reforms in Cuba and other measures aimed at fostering improved conditions for the Cuban people,” he said. “We should not allow U.S. sanctions to add to the burden of Cuban citizens.” Each of these changes centered around an exchange of prisoners between Cuba and the U.S. On December 17, Cuba released Alan Gross, an American citizen who had been held captive in Cuba since 2009. Gross flew from Havana to the U.S. on television, landing at Andrews Air Force Base in Maryland where he was shown being greeted by Secretary of State Kerry. Gross, 65, was arrested in December 2009 and imprisoned for distributing electronics and computer equipment in Cuba, a country where Internet access is strictly limited for citizens. 9
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Cuba also released another American prisoner, a spy who had been imprisoned by Cuba for close to two decades. In return, the U.S. freed three members of the so-called “Cuban Five,” a group of Cubans who were arrested in 1998 and had been imprisoned by the U.S. after being convicted of espionage. Posters and billboards asking to “Free the Cuban Five” are common sights for visitors to Cuba. Sen. Marco Rubio (R-Florida), speaking on CNN, felt that the U.S. was giving up too much in this arrangement, and the Cuban government was doing too little to justify these moves. This move, said Rubio, meant the Cubans were providing “No democratic opening, no freedom of the press, no freedom of organization or assembly, no elections, no political parties, no democratic opening at all. ... It is a lifeline to the Castro regime that will allow them to become more profitable. The Cuban people are even further away from democracy.” Others saw this as a move in the right direction. “Opening the door with Cuba for trade, travel and the exchange of ideas will create a force for positive change in Cuba that more than 50 years of our current policy of exclusion could not achieve,” said Sen. Dick Durbin (D-Illinois). “Obama has finally advanced the interests of U.S. policy by ending the perpetual hostility in relations between Washington and Havana,” said Peter Kornbluh, an author of several books on U.S.-Cuba relations, in an email sent from Havana. “He has brought U.S. policy from its anachronistic past into the modern world.” “For cigar smokers in America, Cuban cigars have long been the forbidden fruit. The cigar business was born in Cuba, and cigars made in Havana have a worldwide reputation for excellence. We yearn for the day when our readers can have the opportunity to legally buy and enjoy cigars from every country,” said Marvin R. Shanken, editor and publisher of Cigar Aficionado magazine. “[This] marks the biggest change in U.S.-Cuba relations since 1961. It does not mean the end of the embargo, but it’s the dawn of a new day that brings the United States and Cuba a big step closer to normal relations. For cigar smokers, there is the promise of something bigger to come.” President Obama has long showed hints that he was open to easing the longstanding animosity between the U.S. and Cuba. In March, 2009 President Obama signed a Senate appropriations bill into law that made it easier for Cuban-Americans to visit relatives in Cuba, and also paved the way for more business travelers to go to the island. In 2011, he greatly expanded the number of U.S. airports that could host flights to Cuba, and he made headlines in December 2013 when he shook hands with Raúl Castro at the funeral of Nelson Mandela. n
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December 23, 2014
Cigar Insider TASTING REPORT = Humidor Selection = Best Buy 601 LA BOMBA WARHEAD II Nicaragua Prominente 5 1/2" x 56 n $10.95
91
7-20-4 HUSTLER Honduras Dog Walker 4 1/2" x 40 n $5.50 Robusto Gordo 5 1/2" x 52 n $9.00 Toro 6" x 54 n $10.00 Toro Gordo 6 1/8" x 58 n $11.00
91 88 88 88
A. FLORES 1975 SERIE PRIVADA CAPA HABANO Dominican Republic SP 52 5" x 52 SP 54 6" x 54 SP 58 7" x 58
93 n
$9.75
n
$11.25
n
$12.75
90 87
ACHILLES Nicaragua Heroicos 5 1/4" x 50 Eternos 6 1/4" x 52 Gloriosos 5 3/4" x 56
93 n
$8.50
n
$9.50
88 88 n
$9.50
AGING ROOM SMALL BATCH M356 Dominican Republic Motivo 6" x 46 n $8.01 Forte 5 7/8" x 56 n $8.82 Have a comment about Cigar Insider? We’d like to know what you think. Email us at insidermail@mshanken.com.
10
91 90
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ASHTON VIRGIN SUN GROWN Dominican Republic
ALEC BRADLEY COYOL Honduras Belicoso 5 1/2" x 58 n $8.50 Double Churchill 7" x 58 n $9.25 Toro 6" x 52 n $8.20 Gordo 6" x 60 n $8.75 Petit Lancero 6 1/2" x 41 n $6.95 Robusto 5" x 52 n $7.45
90 90 90 88 88 87
92 90 90
86
AVO Dominican Republic
Libertadores 91 6 1/2" x 54 n £27.50 Super Corona Edición Limitada 2014 90 5 1/2" x 48 n £19.73
88
Figurado 6 1/8" x 54 n $7.80 Robusto 5" x 50 n $6.80 Toro 6" x 50 n $7.00 Gordo 6" x 60 n $8.00 Churchill 7" x 48 n $7.50
92 91 90 90 89 88 88
94 92 90 89 88
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86
BOLIVAR Cuba
CAMACHO ECUADOR Honduras
ASHTON ESTATE SUN GROWN Dominican Republic 22-Year Salute 6" x 52 n $20.00 24-Year Salute 6 5/8" x 48 n $21.00 23-Year Salute 6 1/4" x 52 n $19.00 20-Year Salute 6 3/4" x 49 n $19.00 21-Year Salute 5 1/4" x 52 n $17.50
87
88
ARTURO FUENTE DON CARLOS Dominican Republic No. 2 6" x 55 n $13.75 Belicoso 5 3/8" x 52 n $11.75 No. 3 5 1/2" x 44 n $9.95 Presidente 6 1/2" x 50 n $12.25 Robusto 5 1/4" x 50 n $10.75 Double Robusto 5 3/4" x 52 n $11.50 No. 4 5 1/8" x 43 n $9.25
91
Avo 88 Limited Edition 2014 6" x 52 n $16.00
ALEC BRADLEY MUNDIAL Honduras No. 5 5 1/8" x 52 n $11.95 No. 4 4 1/4" x 48 n $9.95 No. 6 6" x 54 n $13.95 No. 7 7" x 52 n $15.95 No. 8 6 1/2" x 58 n $14.95
91
Robusto 5 1/2" x 50 n $10.75 Spellbound 7 1/2" x 54 n $14.50 Pegasus 5" x 54 n $11.00 Corona Gorda 5 3/4" x 46 n $10.60
91 90 90 89 87
CASA FERNANDEZ MIAMI AGANORSA LEAF MADURO U.S.A. 90
Illustre 5" x 48 n $8.90
CASA MAGNA D. MAGNUS II Nicaragua Tiberius 6" x 54 n $10.95 Caligula 6" x 60 n $10.95
90 89
COHIBA Cuba Siglo VI 5 7/8" x 52 n £33.30 Siglo III 6" x 42 n £23.90 Siglo IV 5 5/8" x 46 n £25.00
93 92 92
December 23, 2014
Cigar Insider Siglo V 6 3/4" x 43 n £29.90 Pirámides Extra (Tubo) 6 1/4" x 54 n $38.00 Siglo II 5 1/8" x 42 n $17.70 Siglo I 4" x 40 n $13.30
91 89 89 88
COHIBA NICARAGUA Nicaragua N45 4" x 45 n $9.99 N60 6" x 60 n $14.99 N50 En Crystale 5" x 50 n $12.99 N54 5 1/2" x 54 n $13.99
89 89 87 87
CURIVARI CAFÉ NOIR RESERVA LIMITADA Nicaragua Café Noir 54 5 1/2" x 54 n $7.80 Café Noir 62 6 1/4" x 60 n $9.50 Café Noir 56 6" x 56 n $8.65
90 90 89
DAVIDOFF Dominican Republic Year of the Horse 6" x 60 n $39.00
87
87 86 85
DAVIDOFF NICARAGUA Dominican Republic Diadema 6 1/2" x 50
90 n
$17.90
DON PEPIN GARCIA ORIGINAL U.S.A. Invictos 5" x 50 n $8.00 Churchill 7" x 50 n $8.45 Exclusivos 9 1/4" x 48 n $9.40 Exquisitos 5 5/8" x 46 n $6.80
11
90 90 90 88 88 84
E.P. CARRILLO LA HISTORIA Dominican Republic E-III 6 7/8" x 54 n $8.75 El Senador 5 3/8" x 52 n $7.75 Doña Elena 6 1/8" x 50 n $8.25
91 90 89
EIROA Honduras 44x4 4" x 44 60x6 6" x 60 54x6 6" x 54 50x5 5" x 50
90 n
$8.95
n
$11.95
89 88 n
$10.95 87
n
$9.95
91 90 90 90
Prensado Pequeño 4 3/8" x 44 n $9.50
89
FONSECA Cuba Cosacos 5 3/8" x 42
89 n
£11.04
H. UPMANN Cuba Connossieur A 5 1/2" x 52 n £22.50
91
HAMMER + SICKLE HERMITAGE NO. 1 Honduras Churchill 7" x 56 n $8.99 Robusto 5" x 52 n $8.50 Toro 6" x 54 n $8.75
HERRERA ESTELI Nicaragua Lancero Edicion Limitada 2014 7" x 38 n $12.00
90
HOJA DE FLORES AUTÉNTICO MADURO Dominican Republic 91
Toro 6 1/4" x 54 n $12.20 Torpedo 6 1/4" x 52 n $12.40 Goloso 6" x 60 n $12.60
89 87
HOYO DE MONTERREY Cuba 89
Le Hoyo de San Juan 5 7/8" x 54 n £22.91
HOYO DE MONTERREY EXCALIBUR Honduras
EZRA ZION TANTRUM U.S.A.
DAVIDOFF MADURO Dominican Republic “C” 4 1/2" x 46 n $15.30 “R” 5" x 52 n $18.40 “T” 6" x 48 n $19.90
Generosos 6" x 50 n $8.20 Lancero 7 1/2" x 38 n $8.90 Toro Grande 6" x 62 n $9.50 Imperiales 6 1/8" x 52 n $8.70 Toro Gordo 6" x 56 n $8.80 Demi-Tasse 4 1/2" x 32 n $4.30
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91
Short Crystal 5 1/4" x 50 n $7.49 No. 660 6" x 60 n $7.79
87
ILLUSIONE FUME D’AMOUR Nicaragua 93
Clementes 6 1/2" x 48 n $9.50 Viejos 5" x 50 n $7.50 Capistranos 6" x 56 n $9.95 Lagunas 4 1/2" x 42 n $6.70
91 89 88
INCH BY E.P. CARRILLO SHORT RUN 2014 Dominican Republic No. 62 5" x 62 n $8.50 No. 60 5 7/8" x 62 n $9.60 No. 64 6 1/8" x 64 n $11.00
88 86 86
JERICHO HILL Nicaragua 90 88 88
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90
Willy Lee 6" x 54 n $9.75
= Humidor Selection = Best Buy
December 23, 2014
OBS 4 3/4" x 52 .44S 5 1/8" x 44 LBV 6 1/2" x 46
89 n
$8.75
n
$7.95
n
$9.75
87 87
JOYA DE NICARAGUA Nicaragua Cuatro Cinco 6" x 54 n $12.50
90
JOYA RED Nicaragua Robusto 5 1/4" x 50 n $5.75 Cañonazo 5 1/2" x 52 n $6.95 Short Chuchill 4 3/4" x 48 n $5.25 Toro 6" x 52 n $7.05
90 87 87 87
JUAN LOPEZ Cuba Petit Corona 5 1/8" x 42 n £10.63 Selección No. 2 4 7/" x 50 n £15.84 Selección No. 1 5 5/8" x 46 n £15.97
90 90 89
90 88 87
90 90 89 88 88
L’ATELIER Nicaragua LAT Lancero 7 1/2" x 38 n $9.50 12
LA PALINA COLLECTION MR. SAM U.S.A.
LAT Torpedo 6 1/8" x 52 n $9.50
91
LA ANTIGUEDAD Nicaragua Robusto 5 1/4" x 52 n $7.40 Corona Grande 6 3/8" x 47 n $7.80 Toro 5 5/8" x 55 n $8.30 Toro Gordo 6" x 60 n $9.00 Super Toro 7" x 56 n $8.80
89 88 88 88 87
LA BOHÉME Dominican Republic Pittore 5 1/8" x 52 Poeta 5 3/4" x 54 Mimi 3 1/2" x 48 Musico 6 1/4" x 60
91 n
$11.94 91
n
$12.24 88
n
$6.90 86
n
$13.14
LA FLOR DE CANO Cuba
Capitulo II 6 1/2" x 58
90 n
$10.70
88
Conga 5" x 52 n $7.50 Mambo 7" x 54 n $8.20 Aldaba 6 1/2" x 58 n $8.30 Rumba 6 1/2" x 52 n $7.80
90 89 88 87
LA PALINA CLASSIC Dominican Republic Lancero 7" x 38 n $8.00 Short Robusto 4 1/2" x 58 n $6.75 Corona 6 3/4" x 48 n $7.50
90
Corona 5 1/4" x 42 n $11.00 Robusto 4 3/4" x 54 n $12.50 Toro 6" x 50 n $13.50
90 88
LAS CALAVERAS EDICIÓN LIMITADA 2014 Nicaragua LC652 6" x 52 LC754 7" x 54 LC550 5" x 50
90 n
$9.95
n
$10.95
n
$8.95
90 86
MATILDE RENACER Dominican Republic 91
Corona 5 1/2" x 44 n $7.50 Robusto 5 1/4" x 54 n $8.00 Toro Bravo 6 1/2" x 54 n $8.50 Grande 6" x 60 n $9.00
90 88 87
MONTECRISTO Cuba Petit No. 2 4 3/4" x 52 n £17.40
92
MONTECRISTO ESPADA Nicaragua
LA FLOR DOMINICANA Dominican Republic
LA FLOR DOMINICANA 1994 Dominican Republic
KISMET Dominican Republic Destiny 7 1/4" x 52 n $7.80 Luck 6" x 50 n $7.50 Fate 6" x 60 n $8.50 Chance 5 1/2" x 46 n $7.10 Fortune 6 1/4" x 54 n $8.10
L’ATELIER SELECTION SPÉCIALE Nicaragua
Gran Cano Exclusivo Gran Bretaña 91 5 1/2" x 50 n £20.00 Grandioso Exclusivo Asia Pacífico 90 5 3/8" x 52 n HK$238.00
JUAN LOPEZ Nicaragua Seleccion No. 3 6" x 60 n $6.00 Seleccion No. 1 5" x 54 n $5.50 Seleccion No. 2 6" x 54 n $5.75
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92
90 88
MY FATHER CONNECTICUT Nicaragua Corona Gorda 6" x 48 n $7.30 Toro 6 1/2" x 54 n $8.20 Toro Gordo 6” x 60 n $9.40 Robusto 5 1/4" x 52 n $7.60
91
NAT SHERMAN 1930 Dominican Republic
87
Corona Grande 6" x 46 n $10.00
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90
Quillon 7" x 56 n $12.50 Ricasso 5" x 54 n $11.25 Guard 6" x 50 n $11.75
90 89 89 88
90
December 23, 2014
Cigar Insider Rothschild 4 1/2" x 52 n $9.25 Gran Robusto 5 1/4" x 54 n $11.00 Super Lancero 8" x 38 n $15.00 Inmenso 7" x 56 n $12.00 Corona 5 1/2" x 42 n $8.75
90 88 88
PUNCH RARE COROJO Honduras
87
Rare Salomon 7 1/4" x 57 n $7.99
84
NORTEÑO Nicaragua Belicoso Fino 5" x 50 n $11.00 Coronita 4" x 46 n $9.00 Toro 6" x 50 n $11.50 Corona Extra 4 3/4" x 48 n $10.00 Lonsdale 6 1/2" x 44 n $11.00 Robusto Grande 5 1/2" x 54 n $12.00
90 90 90 89 89 89
90 90 88 87
PADRÓN FAMILY RESERVE Nicaragua 44 Years Maduro 6" x 52 n $31.30 50 Years Maduro 5" x 54 n $25.00 45 Years Maduro 6" x 52 n $26.30 85 Years Maduro 5 1/4" x 50 n $20.40 46 Years Maduro 5 1/2" x 56 n $26.30
13
91
92
QUESADA 40TH ANNIVERSARY Dominican Republic Robusto 5 1/2" x 50 n $8.95 Salomon Press 6 3/4" x 50 n $12.95 Toro Real 6" x 65 n $9.95 Toro 6" x 54 n $9.50 Toro Press 6" x 49 n $10.95
90 90 89 86 86
ROCKY PATEL DECADE CAMEROON Honduras Torpedo 6 1/2" x 52 n $11.25 Robusto 5" x 50 n $9.75 Toro 6 1/2" x 52 n $10.75
92 92 91 90 88
93 90 90
Robusto 5 1/2" x 50 Torpedo 6 1/8" x 52 Toro 6 1/2" x 52
90 89 87
92 n
$10.30 90
n
$11.00 86
n
$10.80
90
Papi Chulo 4" x 42 n $8.00 Mutante 7" x 38 n $11.00 Monstro 5" x 60 n $10.00 Roxxo 4" x 48 n $9.00 Sucio 7" x 48 n $12.00
87 85 84 83
90
Bully Grande 5" x 54 n $8.00 Piramide 6 1/8" x 52 n $8.75 Toro 6" x 52 n $8.50
88 87
SAN CRISTOBAL DE LA HABANA Cuba El Morro 7 1/8" x 49 La Fuerza 5 1/2" x 50 El Principe 4 3/8" x 42
n
£23.20
n
£19.23
n
£9.72
93 89 86
SAN CRISTOBAL REVELATION Nicaragua 92
Legend 6 1/4" x 52 n $7.75 Triumph 7" x 50 n $8.50 Prophet 5" x 54 n $7.50 Leviathan 6 1/2" x 64 n $9.50 Mystic 5 5/8" x 48 n $6.95 Odyssey 5 3/4" x 60 n $8.50
92 90 89 88 87
SEÑORIAL BY JOSÉ BLANCO Dominican Republic
ROGUE Nicaragua Bamboozle 6" x 60 n $8.99 Ruthless 6" x 54 n $7.99 Rascal 5 1/2" x 46 n $5.99 Tyrant 5" x 52 n $6.99 Armageddon 6" x 66 n $9.99
ROOM 101 MASTER COLLECTION Honduras
RYJ BY ROMEO Y JULIETA Honduras
ROCKY PATEL PLATINUM Nicaragua
PARTAGÁS Cuba Lusitania Gran Reserva 7 5/8" x 49 n £65.00 De Luxe (Tubo) 5 1/2" x 40 n 6.60 Euro Lusitania 7 5/8" x 49 n £25.00
89
QUAI D’ORSAY Cuba Belicoso Royale Exclusivo Francia 5" x 52 n 12.90 Euro
PADILLA CONNECTICUT Nicaragua Churchill 7" x 50 n $9.50 Torpedo 6 1/8" x 52 n $9.50 Robusto 5" x 50 n $8.00 Double Toro 6" x 60 n $9.90
Selección Privada Edición Limitada 2014 6 1/4" x 50 n £26.25
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90 90 89 89 87
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Corona Gorda No. 5 5 1/2" x 46 n $7.00 Paco Robusto 5 1/4" x 52 n $8.00 Belicoso No. 2 6 1/4" x 52 n $11.00
90 90 88
= Humidor Selection = Best Buy
December 23, 2014
Cigar Insider Le Grand 6" x 60 n $10.00 Toro Bravo 6" x 54 n $9.00
TATUAJE BLACK Nicaragua Corona Gorda 5 5/8" x 46 n $10.00
TATUAJE CABINET U.S.A. Noella 5 1/8" x 42 n $8.00 Especiale 7 1/2" x 38 n $10.00 Havana Cazadore 6 3/8" x 43 n $9.00 Regio 5 1/2" x 50 n $10.00 Taino 7 5/8" x 49 n $12.00 Unico 6 1/8" x 52 n $11.00
TATUAJE TATTOO Nicaragua Caballero 5" x 50 n $5.00 Universo 6" x 50 n $5.50 Adivino 5 1/2" x 58 n $6.50 Bonito 6 1/8" x 52 n $6.00
THE BANKER BY H. UPMANN Dominican Republic Currency 5 1/2" x 48 n $7.00 Annuity 6" x 52 n $7.45 Arbitrage 7" x 56 n $8.40
THE EDGE HABANO Nicaragua Toro 6" x 52 n $6.30 Torpedo 6" x 52 n $6.55
TRILL Dominican Republic Robusto 5" x 50 n $6.90 Corona 5" x 46 n $6.62 Torpedo Gordo 4 1/2" x 62 n $7.52 Toro 6" x 54 n $7.19 14
88 88
90
91 89 89 88 88 88
89 88 87 86
91 89 89
89 89
Gordo 6 1/4" x 60
86 n
$7.66
VAULT BY TORAÑO D-042 Nicaragua Torpedo 6 1/8" x 52 n $7.96 BFC 6" x 60 n $8.50 Robusto 5" x 50 n $7.20 Toro 6" x 50 n $7.60
XV Aniversario Exclusivo Canadá 6 1/2" x 54 n C$43.50
89 88
Entretiempos 4 3/8" x 52 n 5.00 Euro Tapados 4 3/4" x 46 n 4.60 Euro
For coverage of the 2014 Big Smokes, including an extensive photo gallery and coverage of our Las Vegas & New York Weekends, visit: CigarAficionado.com
2015 SCHEDULE COMING SOON
87
90 87
VIAJE EXCLUSIVO LEADED Honduras Robusto 5" x 52 n $9.44
CIGAR AFICIONADO “BIG SMOKE”
86
VEGUEROS Cuba
87
IN THE NEXT CIGAR INSIDER Breaking news from around the cigar world, including updates on the developing relations between Cuba and the United States, and ratings on hot new cigars. Read about it first in Cigar Insider.
VIAJE SKULL AND BONES Honduras WMD 3 3/4" x 54
89 n
$8.96
Your Next CIGAR INSIDER Arrives on Tuesday, January 6.
VILLIGER TALANGA Nicaragua Toro 6" x 50 n $8.50 Churchill 7" x 50 n $9.50 Robusto 5" x 50 n $8.00 Corona 5 1/2" x 44 n $7.00 Double Robusto 5 1/2" x 54 n $9.00
89 88 88 85 85
100 POINT SCALE
88
95-100 n Classic 90-94 n Outstanding 80-89 n Very good to excellent 70-79 n Average to good commercial quality BELOW 70 n Don’t waste your money N/A n Not Available
87
Note: Prices are manufacturers’ suggested retail, before taxes.
88
91
VEGAS ROBAINA Cuba
OUR 89
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