Reports and travelogues, interviews and insider knowledge, along with many other stories, await you in the first Cigar Journal issue of 2026.
Below you’ll get a little taste of more stories that will enrich your summer feeling with many good cigars.
Once again, you can listen to audio files of four stories from this issue of the print magazine via QR code; in the digital magazine, there’s a direct link to the audio. The “Listen” symbol indicates the stories that have been recorded. Enjoy listening!
If you’re looking for gifts for cigar lovers, we’d like to recommend a Cigar Journal gift subscription. Find more information here: shop.cigarjournal.com.
The current issue of Cigar Journal can be found at many newsagents, at bookshops in railway stations and airports, and at specialist tobacco retailers – or digitally via our website.
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COVER STORY – Leo Abzaradel & Nova Cigar: Passion, Charm, and Light
Led by the engaging Leonor “Leo” Abzaradel, Nova Cigar has carved out a niche for itself in what has become a highly competitive market. In the world of boutique cigars, few brands stand out as much for their blends as they do for their vision and passion. Leo has made Nova a brand that is characterized by aged tobaccos, elegant presentation, and a strong identity, right down to the unmistakable “Nova color.”
CIGAR KNOWLEDGE: Evaluation of Strength
Mild, medium, strong? This classification has been the subject of debate in the cigar world for years. The Strength-O-Meter, with its scale of 1 to 10, provides a precise classification of strength.
PAIRING – Green Light for Tea?
Does green tea go with cigars? Our six-person pairing team comprehensively tested how fresh, tart, and spicy it can get with a cigar.
CIGAR DESTINATION: Türkiye
Between street cafés and restaurant terraces, Türkiye reveals itself to be a paradise for passionados. And this is just the beginning. We’ll let you in on the best tips for cigar enjoyment.
INTERVIEW: Master Blender Massimo Biondo
In this interview, Massimo Biondo explains his vision of the taste profile of the future at Manifatture Sigaro Toscano.
TASTED CIGARS
An international team of 90 cigar experts blind-tasted 60 cigars. Here you can read the test results, including a description of the cigars. In this issue, three cigars scored an outstanding 93 points: the DAVIDOFF LIMITED EDITION 2026 YEAR OF THE HORSE, the EL PULPO THE SQUID PERFECTO, and the ESTEBAN CARRERAS SOGA DE ORO MADURO TORO. If you’re interested in cigars with a particularly good price-performance ratio, then you should look out for our Best Buy seal: 13 cigars received the award in this tasting.
Enjoy tasting – and reading and listening!
