It’s that time of year again folks! Time for us to all put out our Top (insert whatever number here) Cigars of the year. Like them or not, they’re here & they’re not going anywhere, & as a matter of fact they are growing. I actually really enjoy all of them, & even more, I like comparing some of the most respected guys lists in this industry to my own. I try to keep it short & sweet, get down the brass tacks & not give the whole breakdown of each cigar blend, but rather give a short little “piece of my mind” about the stick. Hope that’s enough for you boys & girls.
There were a few things that went into account for my list. The cigar had to be released in 2013. The cigar couldn’t be an in-store exclusive, could not be a vitola extension of a previous years line. It had to be reasonably available, & well, it had to be something we carried here at our Cigars & More locations. The last one is, basically, I had to smoke it a few times before it made the list. Hope you enjoy!
Before we get to the main list, here’s a couple of honorable mentions…
La Campana De Panama Soberana by RoMa Craft Tobac- This cigar would have made my list, had it not been a special release & only 1,000 bx. made I really enjoyed this smoke & the effort it takes to create these beautiful cigars. To bring this cigar together using the blends of the other RoMa lines was done beautifully. The Cromagnon Mode 5 would have also more than likely made this list as well, if it were not a vitola extension. Under Mike, Skip, & Esteban…Nica Sueno is continuing to pump out quality smokes.
UF-13 Dark by Drew Estate- Another special release that doesn’t meet criteria. Great smoke, & one of the most sought after cigars of 2013.
LFD TAA “Double Press”- Great smoke at a great price if you love LFD. Not as much pop as some LFD maduro’s, but great nonetheless. I may have to let TAA Exclusives be on my list next year.
10.) Leccia White- Robusto
This cigar grew on me. I thought at first that the Black was my favorite of these two sticks, but the White eventually won me over. Sam has jumped back into the cigar world with a bang, & has again shown he still has one of the most creative blending minds in the industry, & isn’t afraid to give us smokers something different.
9.) Oliva Melanio Maduro
Once again, Oliva shows me why they are always on every ones list, year after year. Super rich & complex, Oliva once again has waved their magic wands & show me why they are great at what they do. Fantastic smoke!
8.) Herrera Esteli- Lonsdale
Willy left El Titan De Bronze, landed at Drew Estate, & dropped this beauty on us. “Cubanesque” is what they promised, & well, It’s actually what it delivered for the most part. Might be the first time I’ve somewhat agreed with this overused term on a cigars description. The smaller ring gauged sticks in this line really shine in my opinion.
7.) Surrogates- Animal Cracker
That’s right… A 6×60 made my list. I’m not ashamed! As a matter of fact, I love this stick. It’s a full flavored/full bodied flavor bomb, that also happens to have some complexity & character. Pete & K.C., with the help of Pepin’s My Father factory, have given us another wonderful smoke.
6.) Asylum Straight Jacket- Toro
This cigar packs a little punch, but also delivers complexity & a ton of flavor. Tom Lazuka has had a huge amount of success nationally, as well as in our stores with the Asylum lines. While the Straight Jacket is almost double in price of the Premium & Asylum 13 lines, it’s worth every penny of it.
5.) Nica Rustica “El Brujito”
Another Drew Estate product, another fantastic smoke on my list. This cigar, much like the Liga Privada lines, is an absolute smoke bomb. Plumes of billowy smoke come from this wonderful cigar. The Nica Rustica wowed me from the get go, & quickly grabbed a spot in my rotation lately. The great thing for consumers is, it’s easier on your wallet than the LP lines.
4.) Illusione ~r~ Rothchildes
Not only is this a ridiculous smoke, it’s a ridiculous price at $4.99 MSRP. Pound for pound, what you pay for what you get, there might not be a better cigar on this list. Dion Giolito has again gave us another gem to add to his collection of highly rated cigars. If short smokes are your thing, you aren’t going to get much better than this one.
3.) J.D. Howard Reserve- HR46
Again, the guys at Crowned Heads continue to impress. This is the third release from the former CAO crew, & this one is their best yet in my opinion. Different, complex, character, & quality is what this cigar delivers. Can’t wait to see what they bring us next.
2.) L’Atelier Imports- LAT-46 Selection Speciale
The number two rated cigar on this list, & the second cigar from L’Atelier Imports to make the list. Another cigar from the team of Pete & K.C. Johnson, this cigar is absolutely fantastic. I have smoked a bunch, & got some more tucked away for safe keeping!
1.) Eiroa by CLE Cigars
This cigar really surprised me. My area Rep. Ammer Cabrera told me that this cigar would be great. I shrugged it off as sales talk. That’s what he’s supposed to say right? Well, this cigar delivered. This Honduran puro is a wonderful display of complexity, strength, & balance. I’m admittedly a mostly Nicaraguan guy, at least I thought I was. This stick showed me different! I tip my hat to Christian Eiroa, for not only this great cigar, but also for the entire line up under the CLE umbrella right now.
~Jason
jason@birminghamcigars.com
Twitter@OB1theStogie
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