Awards 2018 – Top 3
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.3.
PARTAGAS SERIES NO.1 EDICIÓN LIMITADA 2017
STRENGTH: ••••
SIZE: 52x138mm (5”)
PRICE: N/A $ – 16€
WRAPPER: Cuba
BINDER: Cuba
FILLER: Cuba
The Series No.1 is one of the three limited editions of 2017. Sold in 2018, the chosen size is called “Noblezas”, unique in the Cuban production due to its size. It is a Robusto Extra, packed in boxes of 25 cigars. The tobacco used in this cigar is aged for at least two years.
The cigar delivers a typical Partagas smoke, with rich notes of earth, wood and black pepper, enriched with cocoa and piquant spices.
LA PALINA BRONZE LABEL ROBUSTO
STRENGTH: •••
SIZE: 50x140mm (5.5”)
PRICE: 9$ – N/A€
WRAPPER: Honduras
BINDER: Honduras
FILLER: Honduras, Nicaragua
The Bronze Label line was initially created as an exclusive TAA release. However, it has recently been introduced into regular production, with the addition of two other sizes, including the Robusto. Cigars are produced at the “El Paraiso” factory, by Nestor Plasencia, in Honduras. They are sold in boxes of 20 cigars.
It releases notes of white pepper and hot spices, together with nuances of vanilla. In the middle section, the profile turns on leather and cinnamon, while the final part is a mix of walnuts and balsamic herbs.
DOMINICAN REPUBLIC: ARTURO FUENTE OPUS X ANGEL’S SHARE ROBUSTO
STRENGTH: ••••
SIZE: 50x133mm (5.25”)
PRICE: 25$ – N/A €
WRAPPER: Dominican R.
BINDER: Dominican R.
FILLER: Dominican R.
The Opus X Angel’s Share line was born as a result of a fire that has burned down tobacco that had been aging for over 50 years. All this has been seen as a tribute to the angels, who will have appreciated the scents of such a high quality tobaccos. This Opus X line consists of 4 cigars, dressed with a second band, showing the name of the line.
It delivers intense notes of seasoned wood, earth and white pepper. It is then enriched with piquant spices and unripe hazelnut. The finish turns on the leather.
MOMBACHO COSECHA 2013
STRENGTH: •••••
SIZE: 52x152mm (6”)
PRICE: 22$ – 25€
WRAPPER: Nicaragua
BINDER: Nicaragua
FILLER: Nicaragua
Made exclusively with Nicaraguan tobaccos coming from the 2013 harvests, the cigars bearing the “Cosecha” name are released annually by Mombacho and are a limited edition. The main band is the classic of this edition, while on the foot there is the indication regarding the year of the harvest.
It unleashes a riot of black pepper and hot spices, followed by intense aromas of coffee beans, earth and hints of cocoa. The second part adds leather and balsamic herbs.
ATABEY DUENDES
STRENGTH: ••
SIZE: 54x152mm (6”)
PRICE: 30$ – N/A€
WRAPPER: N/A
BINDER: N/A
FILLER: N/A
Atabey is a brand produced in Costa Rica. The cigars immediately distinguish themselves for the attention to the smallest details for the packaging. Not by chance, in fact, the mind behind all this is that of Nelson Alfonso Egüed, who created some Habanos designs, among which the one for the Cohiba Behike stands out.
Sweet notes of wood and pink pepper give way to the smoke. Then the cigar unleashes aromas of herbs and nutmeg. In the second half, hazelnut and coffee appear as well.