Blind Tasting score: 96.50
#1: Ferio Tego Timeless Supreme
The Ferio Tego Timeless Supreme, a beloved cigar from the collection, has undergone minimal changes, mainly in its branding and packaging. Made by the Plasencia family, it features a blend of full-bodied Nicaraguan binder and fillers and a Nicaraguan wrapper.
Key Flavor Notes: Cocoa, Dark Roasted Coffee, Oak
Blind Tasting score: 96.00
#2: JC Newman Diamond Crown Maximus
The DC Maximus is perhaps the most prestigious cigar in the JC Newman portfolio. One reason for that is they enlisted the help of two legendary cigar families, the Fuentes (to make the cigar) and the Olivas (to provide the tobacco). Not bad!
Key Flavor Notes: Dark Fruit, Espresso, Molasses
Blind Tasting score: 95.33
#3: Letters of Transit: Zanzibar
Our Letters of Transit collection began as a project to create the essence of our favorite places to smoke in the world. Zanzibar is known as the Spice Island because thousands of years of spice trade has made it an intrinsic part of the island’s culture. Made in collaboration with Erik Espinosa, a true expert in spicy cigars!
Key Flavor Notes: Turmeric, Cinnamon, Cocoa, Chili
Blind Tasting score: 95.10
#4: Casa 1910 Teniente Angela
"In this tobacco, you will find a rich combination of flavors and aromas ranging from wood, cocoa seeds, nuts, earth and black pepper. The ideal pairing for this cigar is Stout beer." - Casa 1910
Key Flavor Notes: Baking Spices, Almonds, Cream
Blind Tasting score: 95.02
#5: Crowned Heads Tennessee Waltz
"Tennessee is near and dear to my heart. I met my wife here, my family is here, Crowned Heads is here. CH owes a great deal to the people of TN for their support from the beginning. So with a sincere spirit of gratitude we present “Tennessee Waltz.” -founder, Jon Huber
Key Flavor Notes: Malt, Graham Cracker, Pecan
Blind Tasting score: 94.89
#6: Dapper El Borracho Broadleaf
"The Conn. Broadleaf stands on the shoulders of our original El Borracho San Andrés release. Using that original blend as a base, we've amped up the cigar's strength by adding more Nicaraguan Ligero from Oliva Tobacco's prized La Joya farm and swapped the wrapper with a lush U.S. Connecticut Broadleaf. "- Ian Reith
Key Flavor Notes: Heavy Cream, Minerals, Milk Chocolate
Blind Tasting score: 94.76
#7: Tatuaje Black Label
"This cigar may be considered ugly by some but inside that surface roughness it contains such rich flavor and aroma.Sometimes a cigar is just a cigar. This is a tribute to that cigar."
- Pete Johnson, founder of Tatuaje
Key Flavor Notes: Bitter Espresso, Cinnamon, Caramel
Blind Tasting score: 94.20
#8: RoMaCraft CroMagnon Pennsylvania
Due to issues sourcing Connecticut Broadleaf wrapper, RoMa Craft reworked the CroMagnon line, now using a Pennsylvania broadleaf wrapper. The rest of the updated blend includes a Sumatra hybrid binder and fillers from the Dominican Republic and Nicaragua.
Key Flavor Notes: Almonds, Rich soil, Earth
Blind Tasting score: 94.15
#9: Serino 20th Anniversary Maduro XX
Serino is owned by APS Distributors, a family company that has imported cigars from the Dominican for 25+ years, but Serino was their first cigar line. This one, along with the Elenor Rose, are blind tasting favorites from an underrated brand.
Key Flavor Notes: Cherry, Cocoa, Leather
Blind Tasting score: 94.04
#10: Letters of Transit: Ronda, Spain
A hidden gem buried in the Andalusian hills. Ronda happens to be my most beloved village, so there was personal pressure to create a blend as unique as the location itself. But that's just what we did, in a unique size from our friend Victor Calvo of Tabacalera Tambor.
Key Flavor Note: Sherry, Port Wine, Dark Cherry
Blind Tasting score: 93.60
#11: JC Newman Julius Caeser
A two-time Top 25 Cigar of the Year 🏆 by Cigar Aficionado but, more importantly, high ranking here as well (the only blind cigar tasting that matters!) Made in honor of the company's founder, a rare cigar that clearly lives up to the higher price point.
Key Flavor Notes: Cedar, Honey, Milk Chocolate
Blind Tasting score: 93.55
#12: Tatuaje Skinny Drac
The Tatuaje Monsters series has been around for almost 20 years, with many different versions released over time. Among them, the Drac blend stands out as the most popular in the Skinny Monsters lineup, and in our opinion, one of the best in the entire series.
Key Flavor Notes: Oak, Dark Chocolate, Black Licorice
Blind Tasting Score: 93.20
#13: Drew Estate Undercrown Shade
"I chose to work closely with the rollers responsible for the original Undercrown, and challenged them to create a Connecticut blend that satisfied my palate. It was a very rewarding process, as finding a Connecticut blend to fit my palate wasn’t easy." - Willy Herrera
Key Flavor Notes: Cedar, Cinnamon, Vanilla
Blind Tasting Score: 93.12
#14: Southern Draw Kudzu
Rooted in their Texas heritage, Southern Draw integrates traditional Cuban manufacturing methods, overseen by the renowned cigar craftsman, AJ Fernandez. The Kudzu, one of their first blends that helped put them on the map, remains delicious year after year.
Key Flavor Notes: Cocoa, Leather, Brown Sugar
Blind Tasting Score: 92.89
#15: RoMa Craft Intemperance BA XXI
Intemperance was the first release for the RoMa Craft brand, available in an Ecuadorian Connecticut wrapper, and a Brazilian Arapiraca wrapper. Intemperance draws its name from the historical movement to expose the dangers of alcohol, which led to Prohibition.
Key Flavor Notes: Orange Peel, Leather, Cedar
Blind Tasting Score: 92.75
#16: Crowned Heads Mil Dias
Mil Días gets its name from the length of the journey, roughly three years, or 1,000 days, to find the right blend for this cigar. The blend features an Ecuadorian habano wrapper over a Nicaraguan binder and fillers from Costa Rica, Nicaragua and Peru.
Key Flavor Notes: Milk Chocolate, White Pepper, Nougat
Blind Tasting Score: 92.70
#17: Letters of Transit: New York
It was New York City that the famed Cuban poet Humberto Padilla rested his head after a heroic battle with Castro and departure from Cuban prison. The late father of our friend and cigar blender Ernesto Padilla. New York, New York. The city so nice, they named it twice!
Key Flavor Notes: Cinnamon, Burnt Sugar, Chai Tea
Blind Tasting Score: 92.60
#18: All Saints St Francis Colorado
All Saints St. Francis Colorado cigars are blended by Micky Pegg at Rocky Patel's Tabacalera Villa Cuba S.A. factory in Nicaragua. With a Colorado shade Ecuadorian Habano wrapper and a balanced filler blend, this cigar offers a medium to medium-full smoke.
Key Flavor Notes: Vanilla, Nutmeg, Mixed Nuts
Blind Tasting Score: 92.55
#19: Tatuaje Avion '12
Each Avion size boasts a distinct figurado shape, setting the Avion apart even among Tatuaje's acclaimed offerings. Crafted by Pete Johnson, these cigars are produced at the renowned My Father cigar factory in Esteli, Nicaragua.
Key Flavor Notes: Dark Chocolate, Maple Syrup, Espresso
Blind Tasting Score: 92.45
#20: Warped Chinchalle
In Cuban parlance, "chinchalle" signifies a small factory. Staying true to their artisanal approach, Kyle Gellis of Warped Cigars ensures that the Chinchalle is crafted in its own cozy workshop, nestled within Tabacalera la Isla in the Dominican Republic.
Key Flavor Notes: Salted Butter, Leather, Vanilla
Blind Tasting Score: 92.40
#21: Havana City Cigar Seleccíon No. 1
Reinier Lorenzo is one of our favorite cigar makers and guys in the industry. His company, Havana City Cigars, is known for full-bodied flavor-bombs, and the Seleccíon no. 1 represents those characteristics more than any other HVC cigar.
Key Flavor Notes: Chocolate fudge, red chili, molasses
Blind Tasting Score: 92.10
#22: L'atelier Surrogates Tramp Stamp
The Surrogate collection was created to offer a new series of limited-edition cigars to the consumer without breaking the bank. Tramp Stamp is made in the My Father Factory and features an Ecuadorian Habano Oscuro wrapper and covered foot.
Key Flavor Notes: Earth, Black Licorice, Dark Cherry
Blind Tasting Score: 91.60
#23: Camacho Corojo
A rare cigar made up of 100% Honduran Corojo - a clearly underrated smoke and one of our favorite puros on the market.
Key Flavor Notes: Cedar, Leather, Espresso
Blind Tasting Score: 91.45
#24: All Saints Solamente LE '23
The Solamente 2023 edition, created by Micky Pegg in partnership with TAVICUSA Factory, was limited to 500 boxes. The Solamente captures Pegg’s commitment to quality, offering a unique experience packed into a unique size.
Key Flavor Notes: Chocolate Brownie, Lumber, Cappuccino
Blind Tasting Score: 91.32
#25: RoMaCraft CroMagnon Pennsylvania
Due to issues sourcing Connecticut Broadleaf wrapper, RoMa Craft reworked the CroMagnon line, now using a Pennsylvania broadleaf wrapper. The rest of the updated blend includes a Sumatra hybrid binder and fillers from the Dominican Republic and Nicaragua.
Key Flavor Notes: Almonds, Rich soil, Earth
Blind Tasting Score: 91.32
#26: AVO Heritage
The AVO Heritage pays tribute to the late composer and cigar legend Avo Uvezian. Crafted with an Ecuadorian sun-grown wrapper, Dominican binder, and a complex blend of FIVE Dominican fillers, the Heritage has become a standout in the AVO lineup and continues Avo’s legacy in a vibrant and memorable way.
Key Flavor Notes: Cocoa, Red Pepper, Almonds
Blind Tasting Score: 91.01
#27: RoMa Craft Intemperance EC XVIII
The blend is a mild/ medium presentation, but a very different take on a Connecticut cigar, the EC XVII is much more complex and dense smoking experience than many of the CTs in the industry. A hidden gem amongst the RoMa line-up.
Key Flavor Notes: Citrus, IPA, Sourdough Bread
Blind Tasting Score: 90.90
#28: Espinosa Knuckle Sandwich Connecticut
“Guy (Fieri) is passionate about cigars, he truly enjoys smoking them, and he's incredibly enthusiastic about this endeavor,” expressed Espinosa. “We're thrilled by Guy's dedication to this project, and we're both eager to promote this brand together.”
Key Flavor Notes: Heavy Black Pepper, Honey, Caramel
Blind Tasting Score: 90.79
#29: HVC 500th Anniversary
In 2019, HVC Cigars commemorated Havana's 500th anniversary by unveiling a limited edition known as the HVC 500 Years Anniversary. Reinier Lorenzo started the HVC factory a few year ago in Esteli, Nicaragua, and this is one of the best they produce!
Key Flavor Notes: Sweet Cream, Buttered Popcorn, White Pepper
Blind Tasting Score: 90.67
#30: Espinosa Factory Reveal
For Factory Reveals, our goal is find a cigar that is representative of the factory. This cigar comes from the esteemed La Zona factory in Esteli, Nicaragua, owned by the man himself, Erik Espinosa, maker of award winning cigar lines like 601, Laranja, and Knuckle Sandwich.
Key Flavor Notes: Chili Pepper, Oak, Rye
Blind Tasting Score: 90.55
#31: RoMa Craft Intemperance Volstead VO 1920
The Intemperance Volstead VO 1920 is named after the Volstead Act, which was the law that created prohibition in the United States. The cigar was blended by Skip Martin, co-founder of RoMa Craft Tobac, and was released in 2023.
Key Flavor Notes: Cinnamon, Peanut Butter, Dark Chocolate
Blind Tasting Score: 90.52
#32: Letters of Transit: Paris
The perfect cafe cigar. A 4 1/2 x 52 robusto blended in collaboration with the great Reinier Lorenzo of Havana City Cigar. The result is a perfect blend of Parisian flavor: butter, pastry and sweet bread, with the subtle strength and spice HVC is renowned for.
Key Flavor Notes: Butter, Puff Pastry, Sweet Bread
Blind Tasting Score: 90.45
#33: Serino Elenor Rose
Elenor Rose is the first release from Serino Cigar Co. newest division, called Studio Serino. Carson named Elenor Rose as a tribute to the Educadorian Rosada wrapper that covers this cigar, along with the love for music (and The Beatles) Carson and his father share.
Key Flavor Notes: Honey, Caramel, Cedar
Blind Tasting Score: 90.22
#34: Camacho Triple Maduro
The cigar that took the cigar world by storm nearly two decades ago, these days with the backing of Davidoff. If you haven't smoked this one in a while, we encourage you to return to see what it's been up to. If it's in a blind tasting, all the better.
Key Flavor Notes: Cinnamon, Cream, Cocoa
Blind Tasting Score: 90.15
#35: Casa 1910 Tierra Blanco
We love nothing more than discovering new and unique concepts for cigars. Casa 1910 founders pride themselves not only on Mexican-grown tobacco, but Mexican heritage as well. One way is by creating this delicious, well-made cigar using 100% Mexican tobacco.
Blind Tasting Score: 90.10
#36: Ferio Tego Timeless Prestige
“This is an incredibly complex blend, utilizing tobaccos from three major countries of origin, Honduras, Nicaragua and the Dominican. The addition of these formats ensures there is a cigar that everyone will enjoy in this exquisite and complex blend." - Michael Herklots
Key Flavor Notes: Brown Sugar, Cinnamon, Vanilla
Blind Tasting Score: 90.01
#37: CLE Corojo
A bold and highly flavored, attention grabber, C.L.E. Corojo features a full-bodied profile and an abundance of intricate nuances. C.L.E. Corojo could easily be deemed the "Classic Corojo".
Key Flavor Notes: Roasted Nuts, Toast, Citrus
Blind Tasting Score: 89.88
#38: Ozgener Family Cigars Aramas
"Aramas is an homage to my father, Cano Ozgener, his penchant for hard work, and his value for relationships he cultivated in his lifetime. We worked with Ernesto Perez-Carrillo to develop a complex, and rich blend that retained impeccable balance.” - Tim Ozgener
Key Flavor Notes: Anise, Salted Pretzel, Cinnamon
Blind Tasting Score: 89.81
#39: Warped Venture 1492
"In 1492, the lure of the unknown pulled Christopher Columbus to Cuba's shores and introduced Europe to tobacco. 500 years later, the same insatiable thirst drives Venture 1492 to scout new frontiers in tobacco and share the next great discovery." - Kyle Gellis
Key Flavor Notes: Black Coffee, Sourdough Bread, Cinnamon
Blind Tasting Score: 89.70
#40: L'Atelier Surrogates Satin Glove
The themes of the Surrogates collection have always been a bit elusive, but the quality of the cigars have not. This box-press uses a beautiful San Andrés wrapper and produces plenty of satisfying flavor.
Key Flavor Notes: Dark Chocolate, Cookie Dough, Cream
Blind Tasting Score: 89.50
#41: Letters of Transit: Provence, France
Care to journey to the South of France? When we first tasted this cigar, and its strong floral and lavender flavor notes, we knew it was the perfect fit for Provence, a region famous for its miles and miles of gorgeous lavender fields. Made in collaboration with Erik Espinosa.
Key Flavor Notes: Sweet Cedar, Lavender, Butter
Blind Tasting Score: 89.45
#42: Southern Draw Rose of Sharon
"When you find these cigars, buy as many as you can afford. Steal from your wife. Sell your infant's mobiles above his crib and sell them on Ebay. Knock over a convenience store. Rob a bank. Make your cat walk the streets in a mini skirt in the bad part of town." -Kohnhed
Key Flavor Notes: White Pepper, Sweet Cream, Salted Caramel
Blind Tasting Score: 89.40
#43: Dapper Desvalido Disla
“This underdog mentality is what fuels myself and our small company in the cigar business. Since the very first batch of cigars, the battle of proving ourselves as a viable cigar brand and company is ever present in our business.” - Dapper Founder Ian Reith
Key Flavor Notes: Earth, Vanilla, Salted Butter
Blind Tasting Score: 89.38
#44: Tatuaje Skinny Monster (The Face)
Pete Johnson of Tatuaje cigars introduced a spinoff to this tradition with his "Skinny Monsters" line, a collection primarily centered around the Tatuaje Black Label Petite Lancero.
Key Flavor Notes: Mocha, Earth, Red Pepper
Blind Tasting Score: 89.30
#45: Puros Privados Escobar
“I was very involved in the entire rebrand of Escobar Cigars, from the re-creation of the logo to the luxurious yet edgy all-black cigar boxes. I wanted the brand to have my personal touch and truly resonate with what I represent.” - Nasir Jones aka Nas
Key Flavor Notes: Dried Fruit, Malt, Graham Cracker