Today we are revealing the six cigars ranking from positions 19 to 14.
#19 | Laura Chavin Classic No.66 Edition 2019
The Laura Chavin cigar brand has existed since 1999. After the previous owner’s bankruptcy, the cigars disappeared from the market in 2017. Last year the brand experienced a resurgence with new blends and a refreshed design. Currently, the following lines are available: Classic, Concours, Therre de Mythe, Virginy and Paso Fino. The cigars are produced by the Austrian Günther Schichl in the Dominican Republic.
Tasting notes:
This elegant format is flawlessly manufactured. The cigar has a razor-sharp burn and develops fruity, floral and woody aromas, accompanied by a finely dosed sharpness, smooth sweetness and delicate acidity. A cigar full of finesse.
Owner: Cigar Company Willi Knopf
Factory: Tabacaleria Altagracia
Origin: Dom. Rep.
Wrapper: Ecuador
Binder: Dom. Rep.
Filler: Dom. Rep.
Strength: 5 (of 10)
Size: 178 x 19 | 7 x 48
Released: 2019
#18 | Balmoral Añejo XO Nicaragua Rothschild Masivo
The eponym for the latest and fourth Balmoral Añejo XO line (next to the Añejo XO, Añejo XO Connecticut and Añejo XO Oscuro) is the beautiful sungrown wrapper from Nicaragua. Master blender Francisco Batista also played a leading role in this series. Once again, he succeeded in creating a great blend of complexity, power and sweet gentleness. The vitola presented here, Rothschild Masivo, is the second format in the series, alongside the Gran Toro.
Tasting notes:
This cigar immediately offers a fine Maduro sweetness, paired with a potpourri of spice, which ranges from acidic and salty to gentle bitter tones. It then develops roasted and barbecue aromas. The sweetness accompanies the cigar throughout the smoke.
Owner: Scandinavian Tobacco Group
Factory: Agio Caribbean Tobacco Company
Origin: Dom. Rep.
Wrapper: Nicaragua
Binder: Brazil
Filler: Nicaragua, Dom. Rep., Brazil
Strength: 7 (of 10)
Size: 127 x 21.8 | 5 x 55
Released: 2020
#17 Flor de Copan Special Edition Rare Blend
Unfortunately, this excellent cigar – the name says it all – is limited and therefore rare. With this creation, Flor de Copán is offering the Singulares vitola for the first time – a compact, short Robusto with a 54 ring gauge. The blenders at Flor de Copán went through a long process looking for a different taste experience than the one we usually expect from Flor de Copán. The abundance of flavors, the excitement between fruit and roast aromas was a highlight for our tasting panel in 2020.
Tasting notes:
At the start, this thick Robusto develops the intense sweetness of vanilla and exotic fruit over fine roasted aromas and bitter notes. The fruity, roasted and bitter tones alternate in taking charge, and make it exciting.
Owner: Tabacalera S.L.U.
Factory: Flor de Copán Factory Honduras
Origin: Honduras
Wrapper: Ecuador
Binder: Nicaragua
Filler: Dom. Rep.
Strength: 7 (out of 10)
Size: 114 x 21.4 | 4 ½ x 54
Released: 2019
#16 | Carlos André Airborne Corona Larga
The name of this cigar conceals several stories: “Airborne” means to be in the air and, in aviation, is the term used for the moment when an airplane leaves the ground. This very multifaceted, round and therefore excellent cigar actually made us fly. Those who want to try their way through the entire line can do that in the Robusto, Toro, and Petit Corona formats. Carlos André is the name of the company owner’s youngest son – and with this the bond to the future is tied, the eighth generation of the family company Arnold André.
Tasting notes:
A whole spectrum of woody and nutty aromas, abundant fruity sweetness and spices cajole the palate with creamy smoke. A fine peppery kick also adds to the diverse smoke. Very harmonious.
Owner: Arnold André GmbH & Co KG
Factory: Arnold André Dominicana
Origin: Dom. Rep.
Wrapper: Mexico
Binder: Nicaragua
Filler: Brazil, Dom. Rep., Nicaragua
Strength: 5 (of 10)
Size: 146 x 16.7 | 5 ¾ x 42
Released: 2019
#15 | Villiger Cuéllar Black Forest Robusto
With the Cuéllar Black Forest, Heinrich Villiger paid homage to his homeland. Right where the mystical Black Forest region ends in the south is the German Villiger headquarters in Waldhut-Tiengen. The owner grew up nearby and knows and loves the region through his numerous motorcycle tours. The Black Forest is a line extension to the Cuellar Connecticut Krēmē launched in 2014 and, in addition to the Robusto, the Toro Gordo, Churchill and Torpedo formats are on the market – unfortunately only in the USA so far.
Tasting notes:
This dark, box-pressed Robusto presents a touch of pepper combined with gentle sweetness and coffee … almost like Cuban coffee. In addition, the cigar develops notes of earth and spice. It is expressive, robust, and wonderfully balanced.
Owner: Villiger Cigars North America
Factory: Tabacalera Palma LTD
Origin: Dom. Rep.
Wrapper: Mexico
Binder: Dom. Rep.
Filler: Dom. Rep.
Strength: 8 (of 10)
Size: 127 x 19 | 5 x 48
Released: 2019
#14 | Viva La Vida Robusto
Made by Tabacalera A.J. Fernandez for Artesano Del Tobacco, the Viva La Vida brand was launched on the U.S. market in March 2019. The brothers behind the Artesano Del Tobacco brand, Billy and Gus Fakih, were in the cigar retail trade for 23 years from 1992 to 2015. They began working with A.J. Fernandez after becoming fans of A.J.’s San Lotano which led to the creation of the Artesano Del Tobacco brand in 2015. The cigar is available in four other sizes apart from the Robusto, a Torpedo, Gordo, Toro, and Diadema.
Tasting notes:
This cigar presents a proper pinch of pepper/chili spice and at first tastes rather piquant. Later, sage, toasted aromas, coffee, fruity notes (citrus) and a cautious cinnamon sweetness are added. Creamy, harmonious, and bold.
Owner: Artesano Del Tobacco
Factory: Tabacalera A.J. Fernandez Cigars de Nicaragua S.A.
Origin: Nicaragua
Wrapper: Nicaragua Habano Oscuro 2000
Binder: Nicaragua Corojo 99
Filler: Nicaragua Criollo 98
Strength: 8 (of 10)
Size: 127 x 21.4 | 5 x 54
Released: 2019
