Awards 2018 – Top 4
Cigars in the AWARDS have been selected during the whole year 2018: the best products from blind tastings, reviews and smokes from the last 12 months have been tested once again, in a blind tasting. Only the best made it into the AWARDS.
As usual, our attention is focused on every single terroir: Cuba, Dominican Republic, Honduras, Nicaragua and countries from the Rest of the World. For each one of them, we picked the best 5 cigars, that registered the highest scores. Following are the cigars, listed in alphabetical order by country, in place no.4.
CUBA: H. UPMANN MAGNUM 54
STRENGTH: •••••
SIZE: 54x120mm (4.7”)
PRICE: N/A $ – 12.0€
WRAPPER: Cuba
BINDER: Cuba
FILLER: Cuba
It is the latest cigar released in the regular production of the brand H. Upmann. Shorter than a traditional Cuban Robusto, it has a larger diameter, with the result that it looks smaller while having a bigger amount of tobacco inside.
It develops a mix of walnut and almond, supported by intense notes of white pepper. The bouquet is then enriched with nutmeg. In the final, earth, cedar wood and hot spices take over.
HONDURAS: ALEC BRADLEY PRENSADO LOST ART ROBUSTO
STRENGTH: •••
SIZE: 52x127mm (5”)
PRICE: 10 $ – 7.5€
WRAPPER: Corojo (Honduras)
BINDER: Honduras, Nicaragua
FILLER: Honduras, Nicaragua
The Lost Art line is a tribute to the handmade production of cigars, to the care the torcedor roll the cigar with. What you see at first sight is the box pressed shape, but the particularity is the use of two binders.
The cigar revolves around notes of dried fruit with shell, mainly walnut, and seasoned wood. Cacao peaks are also perceptible, while in the background there is a veiled spiciness.
NICARAGUA: H.R. SIGNATURE CORONA
STRENGTH: •••••
SIZE: 42x127mm (5”)
PRICE: 11$ – N/A€
WRAPPER: Ecuador Habano
BINDER: Nicaragua
FILLER: Nicaragua
H.R. are the initials of Hirochi Robaina. It is no coincidence that the brand’s band recalls that of the Cuban brand Vegas Robaina. Cigars are produced at the “La Corona” factory in Estelì, Nicaragua. The cigars are wrapped in a thick and oily wrapper leaf, with the foot closed.
A blast of earth, black pepper and leather gives way to the smoke. The profile is then enriched with hot spices and wood bark. In the end, it also delivers balsamic herbs.
DOMINICAN REPUBLIC: ANASTASIA KARTEL
STRENGTH: ••••
SIZE: 49x127mm (5”)
PRICE: 13$ – N/A €
WRAPPER: N/A
BINDER: N/A
FILLER: N/A
The cigar is a collaboration between Caldwell and Carrillo and was sold for the first time in 2016, while in 2018 it has been released with a different wrapper leaf. The name of the line is a tribute to the Grand Duchess Anastasija Nikolaevna Romanova, daughter of the last Russian emperor.
Initially sweet, it releases intense notes of wood, spices and hazelnut. Then the salty component intensifies and the bouquet is enriched with fine notes of walnut and cocoa.
REST OF THE WORLD: VILLIGER 130TH ANNIVERSARY TORO
STRENGTH: •••
SIZE: 50x150mm (5.9”)
PRICE: N/A $ – 15€
WRAPPER: Mata Fina (Brazil)
BINDER: Brazil
FILLER: Brazil
To celebrate the 130th anniversary of the business, Heinrich Villiger chose to create a Brazilian puro. The number “13” reassures in the packaging: the box contains 13 cigars, produced in limited quantity (1,300 pieces). Each cigar is placed into small individual packs: 12 are in carton and one in wood.
In the first part, the cigar is suave and releases espresso flavors. Then the smoke becomes more intense and rich notes of hot spices and leather, together with vegetal nuances, reach the palate.