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Cigar Review: E.P. Carrillo 5 Year Anniversary

December 10, 2014, 6:10 am
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It's crazy to think that E.P. Carrillo is in its fifth year as a company. It seems like yesterday that they were releasing their inaugural release and when I look back on other releases from the company over the years, I keep thinking about a lot of great cigars. For a while there, I believe they could do no wrong in terms of their releases and I believe they were producing nothing but great cigars, something Illusione has been able to do in my opinion. But of course, every company has a period where they are not at the top of their game. I believe that period began mid last year and after this review, we will see where the company stands. I have always been a fan of E.P. Carrillo, and I have been a fan because of how they release their cigars, how the price their cigars and how they make their cigars. With that being said, let's take a look at their new limited edition and see how they honor their five years as a company with the release of the E.P. Carrillo 5 Year Anniversary.

Released in one vitola, a 6 1/2" by 54 ring gauge toro, the cigar has beautiful bands adorning it and a new E.P. Carrillo band that I like. Total production was set at 30,000 cigars, and they came in ten count boxes. The cigar features an Ecuadorian Sumatra wrapper, a wrapper I think Ernie does great with, and underneath that is a Ecuadorian Corojo '99 binder with Nicaraguan fillers. The toro is very vintage in hand and it features a wrapper that has older characteristic overall with a noticeable bit of change in coloring at the veins. There is a nice triple cap to the cigar and the wrapper gives off this old La Gloria vibes. There is a strong aroma present with the cigar and on the foot it is showing some noticeable spices, aged tobacco and pepper qualities, with the wrapper showing some leather and earthy notes. Overall, I think it is a beautiful cigar and look forward to lighting this up.

The first third is incredibly spicy and it is showing a nice bit of black pepper notes. With that are some leather and tobacco qualities, and it has some hay characteristics present as well. It has this unique sour note present as well, a sour fruit quality, and it is an enjoyable finishing touch to the cigar that makes for a more complex experience. Overall, this is a nice blend and good one from E.P. Carrillo who I feel has been lacking some successful releases for a while. The construction is very good with the cigar as well and it is showing a fairly even burn line with a nice charcoal ash on the end. The ash is holding on firmly and with that is a nice bit of smoke being produced. The draw is cool and spicy, and I would classify the strength as being full with the body being around the medium-full level.

I am in the second third of the cigar now and while the cigar is mellowing out some, it is not as strong as it was in the first third, it is still fairly strong. There are a nice bit of pepper notes present with the cigar and it is pairing wonderfully with the strong tobacco, dry hay and wood notes. There are some coffee flavors now present as well, and they add to the blend as a whole. It is a strong Sumatra wrapper cigar and a little bit dry, but I like what is being delivered right now. In terms of construction the cigar is smoking very well in this third and it is showing a much more even burn line with a nice charcoal ash on the end. The ash is holding on firmly and there is a lot of smoke being produced with the cigar. This is one E.P. Carrillo that produces a ton of smoke and I have not had an E.P. Carrillo produce this much smoke. Overall though, the strength is at a full level and the body is right there as well.

When I get into the final third of the cigar I find that the flavors show some transitioning from the second third and it is delivering a nice coffee and cream like flavor. The cream is showing some peppery qualities as well, and it is paired with some hay, leather and toast notes. It is a nice finish to the cigar and the flavors are really top notch in the end. I wish the first and second third were showing some of these qualities,  but they were still great third and nice build ups for the finale. The construction remains top notch in the final third and it is showing that even burn line with the solid charcoal ash on the end. The ash holds on well and with that is a great bit of smoke being produced. The draw is cool, showing lots of flavors, and it is a smooth finish that is lovely and unique in some ways to the wrapper. Overall, the final third has a strength and body level around that full level, and this is not a cigar for a novice.

It has been a while since E.P. Carrillo has released a cigar that has really wowed me like some of his older stuff, but with this new release I see the company getting back on track. It was a blend that used great tobacco and he truly blended a great limited release. The construction on the cigar was top notch and overall this was a full body and full strength cigar. With those full qualities were matching flavors and they were flavors that I like to see in a cigar. I found it interesting that Dominican tobacco was not used in the blend, but at the same time it is about creating a great cigar and not necessarily using tobacco from the country you are in. The pepper flavors remained present with the cigar from beginning to end, but they were accompanied by a variety of other flavors that added to the overall flavor profile. I am giving this cigar a 92 rating but in time I think it will get even better.

Seth's Humidor Rating: 92


*cigars for this assessment were provided to me by Cigar Coop
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Top 25 Cigars of 2014: #25 Nat Sherman Epoca Prince

December 10, 2014, 7:00 am
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Coming in at #25 is the Nat Sherman Epoca Prince. This is a cigar that worked its tail off over and over again to make my list, and is a cigar that deserves the credit. This is a price friendly cigar that reviewed well for me initially, but after smoking it numerous times though I knew there was more to the cigar. Looking at the consistency of the cigar, and taking into account that I really enjoyed the cigar, I knew I had to include it in my list at the end of the year. Released this year, the Epoca is a resurrected line from Nat Sherman and is actually the first brand the company released. It was initially released back in 1929 and at the time was composed of Cuban tobacco. The cigar is no longer composed with Cuban tobacco but is a great cigar that is made to deliver a flavor profile that is what the original Epoca delivered.

The Epoca is made in the Dominican Republic and is made by Quesada Cigars for Nat Sherman. The cigar itself is finished with an Ecuadorian Connecticut wrapper that is completed with a blend of Nicaraguan and Dominican tobacco. The Prince is the toro vitola in the line and measures 6" with a 50 a ring gauge. From beginning to end the cigar showed amazing construction and was a smooth smoking experience that did not exceed medium in body or strength throughout. It had a flavor profile that showed notes of cedar and nuts, but also gave off some cream, tobacco and hay qualities. The complexity was not over the top with the cigar, but what it lacked in complexity it made up for in simply solid and enjoyable old-school flavors. If you have not smoked the Epoca yet, I highly recommend you reach out and get your hands on some. I think a lot of guys will find this cigar fits perfectly into their daily rotation.


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Top 25 Cigars of 2014: #24 Sindicato Maduro Magnum

December 10, 2014, 9:00 am
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At #24 is a cigar that I was not expecting to love when I first lit it up. The Sindicato Maduro was the follow up release to the Sindicato which was released earlier this year, and was the second cigar that was created in the partnership with Casa Fernandez/Arsenio Ramos & Sindicato Cigar Group. The blend was a completely different blend than the original Sindicato, something I appreciate, and was available in different sizes with most of them being somewhat larger overall. After smoking the offering multiple times, it was easy to see that this cigar was finished with a great wrapper and the best example of Mexican San Andres I had in the 2014 year.  


The Sindicato Maduro Magnum is a gordo measuring 6" with a 60 ring gauge, and is finished with a Mexican San Andres Moron wrapper. The binders are from Esteli, Nicaragua and the filler is a blend of Jalapa and Esteli tobacco. All the Nicaraguan tobacco is AGANORSA tobacco, and the cigar is made at the Casa Fernandez factory in Nicaragua, TABSA. The gordo produces some terrific flavors from start to finish and with that are notes of cocoa, rich earth, damp wood and sweet spices. It is balanced, complex and filling from beginning to end, and it shows some transitioning as well. This is one of the best 6" by 60 ring gauge offerings I have had this year, and it is a cigar I would recommend to all. Other sizes were terrific in this blend, but the fact that the 60 smoked as well as it did caught my attention more so than others.  

Review Here.

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Top 25 Cigars of 2014: #23 Viaje Exclusivo Leaded

December 10, 2014, 11:00 am
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At #23 we have the Viaje Exclusivo Leaded. Released earlier this year, the Exclusivo Leaded is a variation of the well known Viaje Exclusivo line and is an "amped up version." It features medio tiempo tobacco and it truly takes the blend to new levels. I have always enjoyed the Exclusivo line, I feel that it is very complex and a well made cigar, but with the Corojo '99 wrapper on this cigar, and the use of the medio tiempo tobacco, it takes the cigar to a whole new level. When these first hit shelves they had some kick to them, but with a little bit of age in the humidor they have softened some while still showing all those great flavors from before. 

The Exclusivo Leaded is a Nicaraguan puro that is covered with a Corojo '99 wrapper and comes in a single vitola offering, a 5" by 52 ring gauge robusto. It is covered with a nice pigtail cap and features red leaves instead of black on the band. From beginning to end the cigar shows excellent construction and delivers flavors that show notes of chocolate, coffee, leather, strong wood and hay. It is a complex blend that shows transitioning and depth throughout, and that is what makes for a great cigar. I believe it smokes at a medium-full level in terms of body and strength, but some may say it is stronger or softer depending on their palate. Andre definitely knows how to create new and exciting product, and this cigar created a lot of excitement to the Exclusivo line, no doubt about it. I look forward to the possibility of this being in different sizes, but at the end of the day I would pick these up without hesitation.

Review Here.


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Top 25 Cigars of 2014: #22 Ninfamaniac Dark

December 10, 2014, 1:00 pm
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Coming in at #22 this year is a cigar from a new company. The company is Crux Cigars and they are a company that entered into the industry quite strong. With six releases, the company created a cigar for every style of smoker and as Joel Rogers of the company said in an interview I had with him, they wanted to add to the pie, and not have a slice that has already being done. With this addition, the company embraced a size that is not as popular as it once was, and it is a size that has not been very present in the United States. The size is the ninfa, and instead of releasing a traditional ninfa, they decided to give it a tapered head and foot to make it slightly unique. It is a very thin cigar that makes up for its ring gauge with its length, and is very tough to blend in. They had two offerings in the size, but the release that really spoke to me was the Ninfamaniac Dark. 

The Ninfamaniac Dark measures 7' with a 33 ring gauge and is a Nicaraguan puro. It is finished with a dark Sun-Grown wrapper from the Jalapa Valley of Nicaragua, and this is a region that I go crazy over. The cigar shows excellent construction from beginning to end and even with the small ring gauge it smokes cool and shows a nice burn line. The flavors being delivered are out of this world and I picked up notes of chocolate, stone fruit, berries, rich earth and so much more. This is a cigar I could begin my day with or end my day with, and it is a blend that is not one dimensional in any way. If you are looking for a small ring gauge that shows tons of flavors, and you really want to get some quality Jalapa flavors, reach out to this cigar. The Ninfamaniac Dark wowed me from the first one I smoked and I look forward to my next one down the road. 

Review Here.

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Top 25 Cigars of 2014: #21 San Cristóbal de la Habana El Príncipe

December 10, 2014, 3:00 pm
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At #21 this year we find out first Cuban. This is a cigar that has been on the market for 15 years, but it is a cigar that is relatively new to me. It was a brand that I didn't reach out to that often and had only smoked on a couple of occasions. With the establishment of Habanos Critic & What Embargo? this year though I have put more time into smoking a lot of Cuban lines that I have not had a plethora of. One cigar that was sent to me by Catfish, and then caused me to purchase more of was the San Cristóbal de la Habana El Príncipe. This was a cigar that when I initially reviewed did not do great, but after revisiting it multiple times, the cigar just got better and better. It has a flavor profile that is very unique and modern when you look at the Habanos portfolio, but it is one that I am particularly growing fond of. 

At #21, the San Cristóbal de la Habana El Príncipe measures 4.3" with a 42 ring gauge. Like all Cuban cigars, it is made with Cuban tobacco, and this blend is made in Havana, Cuba. The line pays tribute to the city of Havana, and pays tribute to the Spanish and Taino name of the city. The cigar produces a flavor profile that is very unique and it shows qualities of honey, hay and cream, but also some coffee, cocoa and smoky qualities. The best way I can describe the cigar is by saying it smokes like a combination of the Montecristo No. 2 and the Hoyo de Monterrrey Epicure No. 2. This is a terrific morning smoke for me, and it is a cigar that shows nice qualities when young, but with age becomes even better. This was an exciting new Cuban for me, and I am glad I was given the opportunity to smoke it. 

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Top 25 Cigars of 2014: #20 D'Crossier Golden Blend Aged 10 Years Robusto

December 11, 2014, 7:00 am
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Coming in at #20 this year is a brand that is new to me and a brand that is hailing from Costa Rica. The brand is D'Crossier, and it is a brand that is led by Isias Santana Diaz. Santana Diaz is Cuban born, now living in the United States, and growing up he loved cigars. Cigars have been a passion of his so many years that eventually he began his own cigar company, D'Crossier. The name stems from his old family name, Crossier, and that was the name of his great grandfather when he came to Cuba in the late 1800's. Santana Diaz eventually started D'Crossier in late 2006 and began production of his cigars in Costa Rica. In 2013 D'Crossier released their newest cigar at the time, and that cigar was the Golden Blend Aged 10 Years.

The line features some tobacco that is over ten years old, and the company states that roughly 40% of the blend is ten year old tobacco. The filler is a blend of Nicaraguan and Dominican tobacco, the binder Costa Rican, and the finishing wrapper is from Ecuador. The robusto measures 4 7/8" with a 50 ring gauge and it is adorned with some beautiful bands. The cigar shows wonderful flavors that are light and complex, and I was able to pick up some grass, cedar, hay, cream and pepper notes. The construction was absolutely perfect from beginning to end and this is a cigar that did not exceed that medium body and strength level. This was an amazing cigar that truly impressed me, and while it may not be a cigar that speaks to a lot of modern smokers, it is a cigar that any true connoisseur will enjoy and love.



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Top 25 Cigars of 2014: #19 Tatuaje Jekyll Monster Series

December 11, 2014, 9:00 am
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At #19 this year is a well known cigar and a cigar that is part of a well known annual release and a well known brand. The Monster Series by Tatuaje always grabs the attention of smokers, not just the Tatuaje nuts, and is a release that has every smoker wanting to get their hands on a dress box to save and also one to smoke from. This year's Monster Series release was the Jekyll, and it is an especially exciting release as it is tied into next year's release as well. The cigar is the seventh release in the Monster Series and is the first Monster Series release to feature an Ecuadorian Sancti Spiritus wrapper and also be released in the 109 offering. I think the Monster Series release last year was not a successful one overall, so it was important for Tatuaje to have a hit with the release this year. They have had some incredible releases over the years and after smoking the Jekyll, I knew Pete Johnson had another one on his hands.

Measuring 7" with a 49 ring gauge, the Jekyll is finished with a 109 style cap and it is a combination of a tapered and flat finish. The cigar is covered with an Ecuadorian Sancti Spiritus wrapper and is completed with a Nicaraguan binder and filler blend. This is the first Tatuaje to use that special wrapper and it produces a flavor profile that shows bits of nuts, oak, cream and red pepper. From beginning to end the cigar is complex and has a nice bit of transitioning as well.  The construction is simply fantastic as well and it has a perfect burn line and cool draw from beginning to end. I would classify the cigar as being medium-full overall in body and strength, and besides smoking well young, it is a cigar that will do very well with some age. I am a big fan of the Sancti Spiritus tobacco and it is tobacco that is fairly sweet overall. When young it is very powerful, but with age it is simply fantastic. Pete Johnson is well known for his use of Connecticut Broadleaf, but in my opinion some of his more memorable blends are finished with Ecuadorian Sancti Spiritus or Nicaraguan Criollo '98 tobacco.



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Top 25 Cigars of 2014: #18 Debonaire Sagita Petite

December 11, 2014, 11:00 am
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Coming in at #18 is a cigar that would not have reached my hands if it was not for a good friend. That cigar is the Debonaire Sagita Petite, and besides introducing me to that specific cigar, Cigar Coop introduced me to Debonaire Cigars. Before this year it was a company that I did not pay attention to know of, but when I heard about the history of the company and the founder, I learned that this was just not another cigar company. The owner, Phil Zanghi, is not new to the industry, but has been a player in it for many years. He first entered into the industry with Rocky Patel, back when it was Indian Tabac Company, but eventually he and Rocky parted ways and Debonaire Cigars was created. Since his departure he has returned to the Dominican Republic and besides working with tobacco, he is making rum as well.

The Debonaire Sagita Petite is a petit lancero by nature and measures 5 1/2" with a 38 ring gauge. The cigar is made in the Dominican Republic and is a cigar that is composed of Dominican and Nicaraguan tobacco. The binder is Dominican with a Nicaraguan Habano wrapper, and it is a simple cigar in terms of appearance. When smoking though, the cigar delivers complex and truly incredible flavors showing notes of tobacco, hay, honey, cedar and cinnamon. It is a cigar that is rolled well and it produces a nice medium-full smoking experience thoughout. With age, these cigars smoke great and the nice thing about the cigars is that the date is put on the inside of the bands so you can see when these were packaged and ready for retailers. If you have not yet experienced a Debonaire, I suggest you get some as soon as possible, and don't be afraid to try this little petit lancero when choosing a smoke. It may be small, but it is packed full of big and incredible flavors. 


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Top 25 Cigars of 2014: #17 Joya Red Toro

December 11, 2014, 1:00 pm
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Earlier this year I had the opportunity to attend Drew Estate's Cigar Safari on their annual media trip, and while there I was able to walk around La Gran Fabrica Drew Estate, tobacco fields and also Joya de Nicaragua. When at Joya, the company gave us a warm introduction and told us about the history of the company. The company has been in the same factory since the beginning, and while upgrades and changes have occurred to the building, you can see the history throughout. While the company gave the story of the company, they offered us some unbanded cigars and asked for our feedback on them. At the time, I was a big fan of the cigar and the biggest question the media members asked was, "is this a future project for the company?" We were told it was in the works and when the Joya Red was announced, I was told this was the blend we smoked, or a very similar blend that is.



At #17 this year is the Joya Red. It is the newest release from the company and a release that is traditional but at the same time very new. It is a cigar that returns to their Nicaraguan roots and is a Nicaraguan puro, but was blended by the son of Dr. Cuenca Martinez, Juan Martinez. It is a traditional cigar crafted by the new generation, so there is a great combination of old and new in the blend. The cigar features a Nicaraguan Habano wrapper and underneath that is a blend of Nicaraguan tobacco from Jalapa, Esteli and Condega. The size that really spoke to me was the Toro, and it measures 6" with a 52 ring gauge. The cigar is very balanced and it is  smoking experience that shows bits of nuts, toast, earth, leather and quality aged Nicaraguan tobacco. It is complex and shows a nice smooth transitioning throughout. With a medium body and strength level, this is a cigar that is great at anytime of day and is a price friendly cigar as well. The Joya Red is one of the best blends the company has had in a long time and a personal favorite.


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Top 25 Cigars of 2014: #16 Eastern Standard The Silk Road (Caldwell Cigar Co.)

December 11, 2014, 3:00 pm
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Coming in at #16 in my Top 25 Cigars of 2014 list is a limited release lancero. The cigar is The Silk Road, and it is the limited edition release to the core line, Eastern Standard by Caldwell Cigar Company. Caldwell Cigar Co. entered into the industry strong this year and entered with six sold lines. Three of them are considered budget friendly while the other three are premium and all of them are great. The three premium lines are Long Live The King, The King Is Dead and Eastern Standard. Eastern Standard is considered to be the milder of the three and features a unique Connecticut Hybrid wrapper from Ecuador on it. The original line is creamy, smooth and showing some terrific flavors, but in the lancero format the cigar reaches a whole new level.



The Silk Road is a blend that is based off the standard Eastern Standard release, but is blended for the size. The wrapper is a Connecticut Hybrid seed from Ecuador and was grown in 2006. The binder is Dominican Habano from 2005 and underneath that is a combination of aged tobacco from the Nicaragua and DR. He utilizes some Dominican Criollo '98 Viso from 2008, Dominican Corojo Ligero from 2006 and Nicaraguan Habano Seco from 2007. The lancero measures 7.5 with a 40 ring gauge and overall it is longer and a little bit wider than your standard lanceros. It produces a flavor profile that is fantastic, and it shows some nice spice and pepper notes, but it is also giving off some lemongrass, cedar and cream qualities. To me, it reminded me of a particular line from Cuba, but at the same time very unique and special. I have been going crazy over these sticks, praising them to everyone I speak to, so if you are still able to get your hands on a couple, pick them up. Robert Caldwell and Caldwell Cigar Company is doing some incredible things, so pay attention to future projects. 


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Top 25 Cigars of 2014: #15 Casa Fernandez Aniversario Serie 2014 The Ares

December 12, 2014, 7:00 am
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Coming in at #15 this year is the Casa Fernandez Aniversario Serie 2014 The Ares. This is a cigar that I was able to get my hands on later in the year, and it is a cigar that has impressed me since I smoked my first one. A follow up release to the Aniversario 35th that was release last year, this is a terrific follow up that is a complete new blend but still shows some qualities from the original release while being its own cigar. I have been a fan of Casa Fernandez and AGANORSA tobacco since I first smoked their products and tobacco, and over the years the tobacco and blends keep getting better and remaining new respectively. I am not one that only smokes cigars from one region or one country, but when it comes to AGANORSA tobacco, I could smoke that tobacco all the day for the rest of my life. 

The Ares measures 6 1/4" with a 52 ring gauge, and it is a Nicaraguan puro. The cigar is finished with a Corojo seed wrapper and the blend is simply phenomenal. The construction is perfect from beginning to end and it provides a smooth and cool smoking experience that I can't get enough of. The packaging is great on the cigar and the wrapper itself is simply beautiful. The flavors show great qualities of cinnamon, nutmeg and other sweet spices, and it is accompanied with some tobacco, wood and earth. It is a stronger blend than the 35th, and still a little young, but it is still great and will continue to get better and better over the months and years. If you find yourself with the opportunity to pick up a box of these, do not hesitate. This is a terrific cigar that is box worthy. 

Review Here.


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Top 25 Cigars of 2014: #14 Joel Sherman 75th Celebration

December 12, 2014, 9:00 am
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Coming in at #14 this year is another release from Nat Sherman Cigars and a special one at that. Nat Sherman Cigars has come a very long way in the past couple years and with the creation of the Timeless, the company entered a whole new realm. The year's cigar is the Joel Sherman 75th Celebration and it is a cigar that pays tribute to the birthday of the company's president Joel Sherman. Joel Sherman has been in the industry for many years, a lot of them as a tobacconist, and he had turned Nat Sherman into one of the premium tobacconists in the world. Nat Sherman Cigars is more than just cigars though, they have their own cigarettes and pipe tobacco as well, but to honor his 75th birthday, they created this beautiful cigar.

The Joel Sherman 74th Celebration is a massive cigar and it measures 7 1/2" with a 46 ring gauge. Production is coming out of the Quesada Factory and the relationship that the two have had has been phenomenal. The cigar is a long corona gorda and it features a beautiful Ecuadorian Connecticut wrapper over Dominican tobacco. Total production was set at 25,000 cigars and if they all smoked like the ones I had, that is 25,000 amazing cigars. From beginning to end the cigar shows amazing construction and it has a beautiful burn line with a great charcoal ash on the end. The flavors delivered are light and subtle, but very complex when attention is paid. I picked up lovely cedar, orange peel, cream and spice notes with the cigar, and it has some nice sweetness and red pepper with that. I highly recommend that individuals reach out for this cigar and pickup as many as you can get. This is a cigar you need to spend time on and focus on, but if you do those two things, you will have an amazing experience.


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Top 25 Cigars of 2014: #13 H. Upmann Half Corona

December 12, 2014, 11:00 am
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Coming in at #13 this year is a small cigar that is a terrific addition to one of my favorite brands in the Habanos portfolio. Introduced in 2011, the Half Corona is the newest addition to the brand and is a size that is becoming more and more common with cigars coming out of Cuba and being offered to the United States market. I actually believe this cigar inspired a lot of non-Cuban manufacturers to create cigars similar to this size, and the reason for that is of how great this cigar is. The cigar itself is a 30 to 40 minute smoking experience, something great for that lunch break or when it gets cold outside, and it is a smoking experience that is packed full of terrific flavors, great construction and a nice medium to medium-full strength and body experience.



The Half Corona measures 3.5" with a 44 ring gauge, and the cigars are coming out of the H. Upmann Factory in Habana, Cuba. The price on a box of these is right around $100 and you will smoke through a box of these rather quickly. The cigar delivers flavors of oak, sweet spices, leather, cream and tobacco. It smokes cool with perfect construction from beginning to end, and I never get tired of smoking these back to back. They have been aging wonderfully, and the only problem is that because of the size and convenience, you don't want to age them. When purchasing, buy multiple boxes. It will make your life easier and solve those problems of discovering none in the humidor when you drain a box.


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Top 25 Cigars of 2014: #12 Illusione Singularé 2014 Annunaki

December 12, 2014, 1:00 pm
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Coming in at #12 this year is another cigar composed of AGANORSA tobacco. Casa Fernandez had a hell of a year and with the tobacco they are growing, they are putting out phenomenal blends not just for themselves, but also the companies that work with them. Released later this year, the Annunaki is the latest addition to the Illusione Singularé line/brand. A limited and annual release, the concept of Singularé is to release a blend composed of limited and unique tobacco. I have been a fan of the releases over the years, I loved Rose Croix when it first came out, but I have found something very special with the 2014 release, Annunaki. 

Taking a name that is mysterious and of the past, something Dion does with the Singularé brand, the Annunaki is a fat robusto extra that measures 5 1/4" with a 54 ring gauge. It is finished with a Corojo '99 wrapper, and this is the same wrapper used on the Epernay line. The cigar delivers a flavor profile that shows notes of honey, graham cracker and cedar, and is accompanied by some sweet spices, pepper and cookie dough qualities. It is a very smooth cigar that smokes around a medium-full level, and from beginning to end the cigar shows impeccable construction. I am never disappointed with a release from Dion and Illusione, the stuff is great, and this is another great example of his tobacco blending skills.


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Top 25 Cigars of 2014: #11 Montecristo Petit No. 2

December 12, 2014, 3:00 pm
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Coming in at #11 this year is a cigar that had the opportunity to just be a gimmick, but turned out to be the real deal. Released last year, the Petit No. 2 was showcased as a smaller version of the No. 2, and was released right before Cigar Aficionado gave the #1 cigar to the Montecristo No. 2. It was line with the recent trend from Habanos S.A. to create a smaller offering for their big brands, and in this case they merely shrank an already successful smoke. Habanos S.A. does a good job at listening to the market, and and they have no problem creating a cigar or removing a cigar depending on the demand. I was very curious to see how the Petit No. 2 smoked, and after smoking through a handful of them I was thoroughly impressed.



Measuring 4.7" with a 52 ring gauge, the Petit No. 2 is made in Habana, Cuba out of quality tobacco from Vuelta Abajo. Production is coming out of La Corona  and H. Upmann, and for being as young as it is, it is smoking wonderfully. It is showing all of those great Montecristo flavors, and is showing them in a compact version. I picked up that lovely cappuccino flavor profile with the cigar and it has some cedar, smoky and cocoa flavors. It is very smooth with a terrific draw, and it showed good construction from beginning to end. I felt that is smoked around a medium level in terms of body and strength throughout, and it is simply a flavorful cigar. Given the size and what it delivers, I would more than likely smoke this more often than the No. 2. This was a great release from Habanos S.A.



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Top 25 Cigars of 2014: #10 Flor de Selva No. 15 Maduro

December 13, 2014, 5:18 am
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It is now time for the Top 10 Cigars of 2014. These are the cigars that were simply amazing time and time again. They smoked great the first time, and they either continued to smoke that great or got better throughout the year. The Top Ten Cigars are something special, in a whole new class, and that is why the deserve a whole day of attention. Coming in at #10 is a cigar that is a line extension for this year, but is part of a line that is not new to the market. The line is Flor de Selva Maduro, and it is the maduro offering by Maya Selva Cigars. The company has been available on the international market for years now, but it was this year that they really began hitting the United States market and entering into retail locations across the nation. I have smoked through the entire portfolio, all of their cigars are truly great and unique, but it was the Flor de Selva Maduro that really wowed me this year. The #10 cigar of the year is the Flor de Selva No. 15 Maduro



Measuring 5.5" with a 54 ring gauge, the Flor de Selva No. 15 Maduro is a beautiful belicoso. The cigar is made in Honduras at and is composed with mostly Honduran tobacco as well. It comes covered with a Natural Maduro from Jamastrán, Honduras, and it has a Brazilian Mata Fina binder. The filler is all Honduran as well, and it features Habano from Jamastrán some Ligero from Azacualpa. The cigar is not your typical sweet maduro but more of a natural maduro in my opinion. It shows meaty qualities throughout, and it is paired with some pepper and spice notes. There are some herbal qualities present as well, and it shows some oak and leather flavors too. The finish is maduro like, and I am getting some roasted coffee and rich earth qualities. The construction is absolutely perfect throughout and it comes with a nice medium-full to full strength and body level. This was simply an incredible cigar and one that I tell everyone to get a box of as soon as possible. If a cigar is in my Top Ten list, it is box worthy, actually my whole Top 25 list is box worthy, but this cigar is special. This was a line and a company I knew little of before this year, and it is a company that I will always remember and come back to because of the products they deliver.   


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Cigar Review: Señorial 65th Anniversary Perfecto Elegance

December 14, 2014, 5:14 am
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I know I have waited for this release, I believe we all have, so let's forget the introduction and dive right in and light up the Señorial 65th Anniversary Perfecto Elegance.

The Señorial 65th Anniversary is a Dominican puro and is finished with a Piloto Cubano wrapper from La Canela that is six year-old. The binder is Dominican Corojo, also from La Canela, and the filler, each with 5 years of age, is composed of Dominican Piloto Cubano Ligero from La Canela, Dominican Viso from Jacagua farm and Dominican Corojo Seco from Gurabo farm. All the tobacco comes from the farms of Jochy Blanco, Jose's cousin. It comes in one vitola offering, a figuardo titled Perfecto Elegance, and measures 5 3/4" with a 55 ring gauge. Production was set at 20,000 cigars, and the cigars are being made at Tabacalera Palma. The perfecto has a rustic wrapper and it is showing some major veins, nice toothy texture and a beautiful marbled Colorado wrapper. The perfecto is rolled very well and it shows no soft spots throughout. The new bands really pop off the wrapper and this is a great looking cigar. The foot is giving off an aroma of tobacco, sweet spices. hay, leather and bran notes, while the wrapper is giving off an aroma of strong spices, smokiness and dry earth.

The first third open up by showing some great spice notes. I am getting some cinnamon notes up front, and it has a sour fruit flavor present with that. There is some aged tobacco in there as well, and it is showing some oak, nutty, toast and leather flavors on the finish. There is really a lot going on with the cigar, and the blend change is present for me since I smoked the pre-release blend. I like both version, but this is definitely stronger and more approachable to the current market's demand. I would classify the strength as being full overall and the body is there as well. This is an afternoon or evening smoke, and it is not a smoke I would hand out to a newer smoker. This cigar is meant for a connoisseur and truly seasoned smoker. The construction is terrific throughout and it is showing a nice burn line with a beautiful charcoal ash. The draw is perfect, giving off a great amount of smoke, and it is a flavor driven cigar.

I am in the second third of the cigar now and it is still smoking strong. The spice notes are still very present  but they are pairing with the other flavors really well now and it is producing a strong but balanced cigar. I am getting some sour apple notes, and with that are the oak, toast and leather qualities from before. There is still that strong spice flavor profile that is showing cinnamon notes, and it has an aged tobacco finish. There is a great bit of smoke being produced and with that is a cool draw. The draw is showing all flavors and no harshness, and the cigar is producing an even burn line with that charcoal ash on the end of the cigar. The ash is holding on firmly and this is a well made cigar. I never thought Tabacalera Palma had bad construction, but you can tell that Jose is paying attention to the roller working on his cigar. Overall, the cigar is remaining at that full level from before and that applies to the body and strength.

The final third has a wonderful finish to it and it has mellowed out some and become even more balanced. The spice notes are present but softer, and the cigar is showing some great oak ant tobacco notes. There is a nice toasty and peanut flavor on the finish and it has some meaty qualities with that. The cigar is still a full flavored cigar, and with that a full body experience. I can definitely get the stronger qualities with this blend when looking at the original pre-release blend, and both are delicious. This is full body and full strength cigar from beginning to end and is a cigar that is meant for the true connoisseur. In terms of construction the cigar continues to perform wonderfully and it is showing an even burn line with a lovely charcoal ash on the end. The draw is cool to the nub, and I am ready to smoke another one right away.

I am going to smoke through these rather quickly, which sucks because they are not going to be around for a long time. Unlike some, Jose Blanco means what he says when he says this cigar is limited. The tobacco used in this blend is at least five years old and is not tobacco that can be replaced or replicated in future blends. The blend is terrific, definitely a great Dominican puro, and a cigar that shows tremendous amount of complexity and strength from beginning to end. There is something great about Dominican puros, they are hard to beat, and this cigar definitely solidifies that theory. The construction was solid from beginning to end and it will get even better with more age. I loved the flavors and I think a lot of guys will really love this cigar because of what it delivers. The 65th Anniversary is great now, but if you age these at least six months they will be even better. I originally gave this cigar a 95, the pre-release version that is, and I am giving the actual release a 94 with the potential of it getting much better with some age. This is a cigar that I look forward to coming back to throughout the 2015 year and seeing where it is at the end of the year.

Seth's Humidor Rating: 94

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Top 25 Cigars of 2014: #9 Señorial Belicoso No. 2

December 14, 2014, 7:00 am
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I believe I will declare today to be Señorial Sunday as I just reviewed the new 65th Anniversarytoday as well. Coming in at #9 this year is a cigar that is new to the market, but is crafted by an individual who has been in the industry for many years. Jose Blanco has a great understanding of the industry from many perspectives, and it is with his knowledge of the industry and tobacco that he was able to create a successful line in Señorial. For many years Jose Blanco has been a positive addition to the companies he has worked with, La Aurora and Joya de Nicaragua, but it was earlier this year that he announced Las Cumbres Tabaco and his first line, Señorial. Señorial hit the market early this summer and since its release it has been incredible successful. I have smoked through almost every vitola in the line, enjoying all of them, but the cigar that has wowed me the most is the Señorial Belicoso No. 2.

The Belicoso No. 2 is your standard torpedo and measures 6 1/4" with a 52 ring gauge. It features the perfect tapered finish, and it is not too dramatic or lacking in a tapered finish. The cigar is covered in an Ecuadorian Habano wrapper and secured with a Nicaraguan Criollo '98 binder from Esteli. The filler blend is a combination of Piloto Cubano and Corojo tobacco from the Dominican Republic, and the Dominican tobacco is from Jochi Blanco's farms in the Dominican Republic, Jose's cousin. The cigar is beautiful from beginning to end and it shows flavors of coffee beans, pepper, cinnamon, leather and cedar. It is truly an aficionado's cigar, and is a terrific first release from Jose Blanco. While the Belicoso No. 2 is my favorite size and the size that I believe shows the greatness of the line, the truth is that you can't go wrong with any of the vitola offerings. All were blended for the specific size and no corners were cut in the creation of this line.


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Top 25 Cigars of 2014: #8 Long Live The King Petit Double Wide Short Churchill

December 15, 2014, 7:00 am
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Coming in at #8 this year is a cigar that comes with the longest name every placed on a cigar, for that I am sure. The cigar is the Petit Double Wide Short Churchill, and to be honest, it is simply a toro. Caldwell thought it would be funny to give the cigar a grander title than toro, and in some ways it is a commentary on what some manufacturers are doing with the titling of their vitolas. Robert Caldwell has really re-entered the industry strong this year, and he did so with some incredible blends. The most successful blend in my opinion was Long Live The King, but his Eastern Standard The Silk Road made it into my Top 25 Cigars of 2014 list as well. The King Is Dead blend was on the list early on but did not make the final cut when it came to the end of the year. All are great lines though and very unique in their own way. Right now though, we are focusing on Long Live The King Petit Double Wide Short Churchill.



The PDWSC is your standard toro and measures 6" with a 52  ring gauge. It has a nice pigtail cap and a very cool band. The wrapper is 2008 Dominican Corojo and the binder is also Dominican Corojo from 2009. The filler is a tri-country blend and is comprised of 50% Dominican Corojo Ligero from 2006, 10% Viso Pelo De Oro from Peru and 40% Habano Ligero from Nicaragua.The cigar shows solid construction from beginning to end and with that is a very dark charcoal ash. The cigar has a complex bouquet of flavors, and it shows some great spice notes of red and white pepper, some toasted wood qualities, dry earth and a floral and mineral quality as well. It is a complex blend, and one that is medium-full to full in terms of body and strength. The PDWSC is the best offering in the line, and is a great two hour smoke. Pay attention to Robert Caldwell because he is doing some incredible things right now, and I know he has some exciting plans for the future. 



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