Cigar Journal’s Top 25 Cigars Of 2020: #7 To #2

Today we are revealing the six cigars ranking from positions 7 to 2.

#7 | El Rey Del Mundo La Reina ER 2018 Gran Bretaña

This royal cigar is especially close to our hearts. Not only because it is a real treat for the palate and also because its slim format makes it particularly elegant. But above all, because a great personality played a part in the blending and the naming process: Simon Chase (✝2019), CJ author and long-time marketing director of Hunters & Frankau. La Reina means “the queen” and therefore fits both the El Rey del Mundo (King of the World) as well as the United Kingdom as an Edición Regional – with Elisabeth II as head of state.

Tasting notes:

From the start, this Lancero with a pretty pigtail shows its qualities. It is smooth, creamy, and has thick smoke with the opulent sweetness of molasses, cappuccino, and honeydew melon, and a pinch of pepper in the finish – a taste-bud pleaser.

Owner: Empresa Cubana del Tabaco (Cubatabaco)
Factory: Antonio Briones Montoto Factory
Origin: Cuba
Wrapper: Cuba
Binder: Cuba
Filler: Cuba
Strength: 4 (of 10)
Size: 191 x 15.1 | 7 ½ x 38
Released: 2019

#6 | La Aurora 107 Anniversary Nicaragua Robusto

Ten years after the launch of one of the most successful cigars, La Aurora 107 Aniversario, the oldest factory in the Dominican Republic has taken on the task of revamping this popular series under a new umbrella brand: Tobaccos of the World. The first big hit of the revised 107 is this 100% Nicaraguan cigar: La Aurora 107 Nicaragua Robusto. The line is completed by the 107 Ecuador (the original), the 107 USA (originally Maduro) and the 107 República Dominicana (originally Cosecha).

Tasting notes:

In the pleasant, cool, creamy smoke of this cigar, bitter chocolate and coffee can first be detected. Then spices like carraway, nutmeg and pepper accompany the aromas. An exciting, diverse, and harmonious cigar.

Owner: La Aurora S.A.
Factory: La Aurora S.A.
Origin: Dom. Rep.
Wrapper: Nicaragua
Binder: Nicaragua
Filler: Nicaragua
Strength: 6 (of 10)
Size: 127 x 19.8 | 5 x 50
Released: 2020

#5 | Daniel Marshall by Carlos Fuente XXXVIII

Daniel Marshall and Carlos Fuente, entrepreneurs and friends, introduced the DM 38^th Anniversary cigar at the Daniel Marshall Cigar Lounge in Kitzbuhel, Austria. The cigar honors and symbolizes their 38 years of friendship. The pyramid shaped cigars are available to collectors at Daniel Marshall Campfire events around the world and allocated to the world’s top tobacconists and iconic hotels. 

Tasting notes:

This Torpedo offers the complex spectrum of aromas of cedar, coffee, nuts, leather, and exotic fruit. Everything is underlaid by a delicate sweetness. In the last third, it develops a gentle peppery kick. Pure harmony.

Owner: Daniel Marshall, Inc.
Factory: Tabacalera A. Fuente y Cia.
Origin: Dom. Rep.
Wrapper: Dom. Rep.
Binder: Dom. Rep.
Filler: Dom. Rep.
Strength: 5 (of 10)
Size: 162 x 20.6 | 6 3/8 x 52
Released: 2020

#4 A.J. | Fernandez Bellas Artes Maduro Lancero Special Edition

Since 2016, the A.J. Fernandez cigars with the sonorous front mark Bellas Artes (Fine Arts) have been well received. Two years ago they also came on the market in a Maduro version. Abdel has created a special work of art with this slightly oval box-pressed Lancero. We were not only enthusiastic about the slim format, but also the exciting blend: Mata Fina from Brazil meets Mexico. For fans of the Lanceros vitola, this cigar is fantastic.

Tasting notes:

This Lancero presents ample sweetness, spice, pepperiness, and roasted notes. It is an elegant, creamy cigar with predominantly chocolate, fruit, wood, and a subtle chili spice … Everything is perfectly balanced and in full harmony.

Owner: A.J. Fernandez Cigars
Factory: Tabacalera A.J. Fernandez Cigars de Nicaragua S.A.
Origin: Nicaragua
Wrapper: Brazil
Binder: Mexico
Filler: Nicaragua
Strength: 7 (of 10)
Size: 178 x 15.9 | 7 x 40
Released: 2019

#3 | Davidoff Limited Edition Special 53 Perfecto

The new edition of a Puro launched by Davidoff in 2002. In 2020 it was relaunched worldwide in a limited quantity of 9,700 numbered boxes. The Perfecto is made exclusively from tobacco grown in the Cibao Valley. The original Corojo seed wrapper has been aged for ten years. The 53 ring gauge was developed for this wrapper.

Tasting notes:

As soon as this Perfecto “opens,” it unfolds floral, fruity, slightly bitter and sweetish flavors. It presents aromas of wood, nuts, leather and coffee, accompanied by chocolate sweetness, vegetal spice notes and a gentle salty note.

Owner: Oettinger Davidoff AG
Factory: Tabadom Holding, Inc.
Origin: Dom. Rep.
Wrapper: Dom. Rep.
Binder: Dom. Rep.
Filler: Dom. Rep.
Strength: 7 (of 10)
Size: 156 x 21.0 | 6 1/8 x  53
Released: 2020

#2 | Perdomo Estate Seleccion Vintage Imperio Sun Grown

This Puro is a blend of seven years aged Nicaraguan tobaccos, all of which were cultivated on Perdomo’s farm called Natalie (the name of Nick Perdomo’s daughter). It utilizes only the top three percent of the state crop. Perdomo is known for offering the same blend with three different wrappers – and ESV also comes in the Sun Grown, Maduro and Connecticut variants.

Tasting notes:

From the beginning, this box-pressed cigar develops the pleasant sweetness of vanilla, a hint of bourbon and fine spices like nutmeg. The fruity notes of cherries, wood and nut aromas, as well as chocolate notes and gentle pepper are also present.

Owner: Perdomo Cigars
Factory: Tabacalera Perdomo
Origin: Nicaragua
Wrapper: Nicaragua
Binder: Nicaragua
Filler: Nicaragua
Strength: 8 (of 10)
Size: 152 x 21.4 | 6 x 54
Released: 2019