Blind Tasting Value Rankings
#1: AJ Fernandez Enclave
The Enclave was introduced by AJ Fernandez in 2015 as a collaboration between AJ and his father, Ismael Fernandez, continuing the tradition of father-son blending that also produced the New World line. The concept comes from the idea of an “enclave”, a distinct community within a larger culture.
Key Flavor Notes: Cinnamon, Black Coffee, Mixed Nuts
#2: Warped Futuro Seleccíon
The Futuro line came out of a unique partnership between two next-generation cigar makers: Kyle Gellis of Warped and Max Fernández, son of Eduardo Fernández, the founder of Aganorsa Leaf. Both men shared a vision for honoring traditional Cuban-style cigars while innovating with modern Nicaraguan terroir.
Key Flavor Notes: Cocoa, Dark Roasted Coffee, Oak
#3: Rodriguez Series 84 Maduro
The Rodriguez Series 84 Maduro is a heartfelt tribute to the founding of the Rodriguez Cigar Factory in 1984, marking the beginning of what has become the oldest cigar maker in the Florida Keys. Crafted in Key West, the 84 Maduro embodies both tradition and innovation.
Key Flavor Notes: Dry Leather, Cocoa Powder, Wood
#4: Valacari Astronomia
The Valacari Astronomia is one of the most ambitious projects from Valacari Cigars, a brand known for blending creative vision with traditional craftsmanship. Founded by Nimmer Ahmad, the company set out to create cigars that reflect both artistry and innovation, and Astronomia captures that mission in full.
5. Tatuaje Havana VI
The Tatuaje Havana VI was introduced as a more approachable companion to the original Tatuaje line. While the original brown-label cigars were blended to emulate fuller-bodied Cuban cigars, this was designed to capture the character of medium-bodied Cuban cigars.
Key flavor Notes: Leather, Cedar, Molasses
#6: Ferio Tego Timeless Panamerican
"Deliberate development of strength, flavor, and aroma from shape to shape and start to finish makes for a fragrant and pleasurable smoking experience. The Panamerican offers a unique, full-bodied blend of Central American tobaccos made in Nicaragua."
Key Flavor Notes: Cedar, Leather, Cappuccino
#7: Camacho Ecuador
The Camacho Ecuador is a relatively modern addition to Camacho’s core line. The idea behind the Ecuador variant is to bring a more complex, bold expression using an Ecuadorian Habano wrapper that offers both strength and nuance.
#8: AVO Syncro Nicaragua
The Avo Syncro Nicaragua broke new ground in the cigar scene with a bunch of firsts (for them). It was the first regular Avo cigar that went box-pressed, and it marked the debut of a box-pressed stogie from the famed Davidoff of Geneva factory in the Dominican Republic.
Key Flavor Notes: Black Pepper, Vanilla, Caramel
#9: Ferio Tego Metropolitan
First introduced under the Nat Sherman brand during the cigar boom of the early 1990s, boutique company Ferio Tego, led by longtime cigar businessman Michael Herklots, took over the legacy. Herklots preserved the original blends under the Ferio Tego banner, among them the cherished Metropolitan Maduro.
#10: El Rey del Mundo Oscuro
The Honduran El Rey del Mundo Oscuro traces its roots to the brand’s post-revolution rebirth in Central America. This has been a Honduran staple for over 3 decades, built around a rich Connecticut Broadleaf Oscuro wrapper with Honduran binder and filler tobaccos, offering a medium‑to‑full-bodied smoke at an accessible price point.
Key Flavor Notes: Cherry, Light Roast Coffee, Dark Chocolate
#11: Partagas y Nada Mas
The Partagás Y Nada Más is a modern expression of the historic Partagás brand. While the original Partagás was founded in Cuba, the Y Nada Más line specifically celebrates the brand's long history in the Dominican Republic, where the non-Cuban version of Partagás has been produced since the late 1970s.
Key Flavor Notes: Cedar, Roasted Nuts, Sweet Bread
#12: Rodriguez Primera Clase
The Rodriguez Primera Clase is a relatively recent offering from Rodriguez Cigars (Key West), introduced in December 2019 as a rare reserve line. The production is limited—only 1,000 boxes were made—underscoring its position as a boutique, premium release.
Key Flavor Notes: Turmeric, Cinnamon, Cocoa, Chili
#13: 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
experience rating :: great
#14: 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
#15: 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
#16: Crowned Heads Mil Dias Maduro
“What’s important to note is that the Maduro blend is not simply a re-tread of the original blend where we just swapped the wrapper leaf out," said founder Jon Huber. "The Maduro is an all-new blend from outside to the inside that we felt worthy bearing the Mil Días name."
Key Flavor Notes: Dark Chocolate, Espresso, Almonds
#17: Oliva Serie V
The Serie V from Oliva Cigar Company is widely considered the brand’s flagship full-bodied line and one of the cigars that elevated Oliva into the top tier of premium cigar makers. Introduced in the mid-2000s, the Serie V was built around high-priming ligero tobaccos from Nicaragua, specifically selected for their richness and complexity.
#18: Caldwell The King Is Dead
"The King is Dead" is Caldwell's second blend, a medium-bodied masterpiece that exemplifies complexity and balance. What sets it apart is its rare use of Dominican tobaccos showcasing the rich diversity of the Dominican Republic's tobacco heritage.
Key Flavor Note: Oak, Dark Chocolate, Espresso
#19: 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
#20: Letters of Transit: Provence
Care to journey to the South of France? Created in the La Zona Factory in Esteli, Nicaragua, the Provence is the first edition of ourLetters of Transitcollection. 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.
Key Flavor Notes: Sweet Cedar, Lavender, Butter