Cigar Journal’s Top 25 Cigars Of 2021: #13 To #8

Today we are revealing the six cigars ranking from positions 13 to 8.

#13 | Perdomo Inmenso Seventy Sun Grown Churchill

Originally introduced in the early 2000’s, the seventy ring gauge cigars were considered enormous back in the day. Back by popular demand, the line is blended with 5-year aged tobaccos and offered at extremely affordable price points.

Tasting notes:

In the first third, this huge format shows cedary, oak and roasted aromas as well as balanced pepperiness. Later, the aroma wheel turns more towards fruity notes and nuts with spice and sweetness.

Owner: Perdomo Cigars
Factory: Tabacalera Perdomo S.A.
Origin: Nicaragua
Wrapper: Nicaragua
Binder: Nicaragua
Filler: Nicaragua
Strength: 5 (of 10)
Size: 178 x 27.8 | 7 x 70
Released: 2021

#12 | Perla del Mar Corojo Toro

Perla del Mar is a historic cigar brand that traces its roots to Cuba. The cigar features tobaccos from four distinct regions in the lush mountains of Nicaragua: Pueblo Nuevo, La Reina, Condega, and Jalapa. This blend is combined with an Ecuadorian Corojo wrapper. Perla del Mar cigars feature a Tampa-style press to help the natural flavors of its unique tobaccos to marry together.

Tasting notes:

This extremely box-pressed Toro develops nutty and wood aromas with caramel sweetness, pepperiness, and a hint of mint freshness. Fruity notes, coffee and leather aromas are also present.

Owner: J.C. Newman Cigar Co.
Factory: J.C. Newman P.E.N.S.A.
Origin: Nicaragua
Wrapper: Ecuador
Binder: Nicaragua
Filler: Nicaragua
Strength: 7 (of 10)
Size: 159 x 21.4 | 6 1/4 x 54
Released: 2020

#11 | Casa Turrent Origin Series San Andres Robusto Extra

The Casa Turrent Origin Series consist of four cigars, all in the Robusto Extra format, but with different wrappers. They are called Miami, Caribe, Nicaragua and San Andres and are named after places that represent important hubs for the Turrent company.

Tasting notes:

This cigar is a spicy-sweet bomb. The sweetness of the Maduro wrapper and the multifaceted notes of spice keep the palate on its toes: between tangy peppery, fruity acidic to roasted and tart, this cigar plays through all the variations.

Owner: A. Turrent Cigars
Factory: Nueva Matacapan de Tabacos S.A. de C.V.
Origin: Mexico
Wrapper: Mexico
Binder: Mexico
Filler: Mexico
Strength: 8 (of 10)
Size: 140 x 21.4 | 5 1/2 x 54
Released: 2020

#10 | Liga Privada Unico Serie Year of the Rat

The cigar debuted in 2016 as an exclusive for the Drew Estate Lounge inside the BB&T Center, home to the National Hockey League’s Florida Panthers, to celebrate the 20th anniversary of the team’s only appearance in the Stanley Cup Finals. It is now available to all Drew Diplomat Program participants.

Tasting notes:

In the first few draws, this cigar is slightly salty, very nutty, and has roasted aromas. For good measure, caramel sweetness and pepperiness unfold. Herbal spice and then also the sweetness of dried fruit come through. Complex and well balanced.

Owner: Drew Estate, LLC
Factory: La Gran Fabrica Drew Estate
Origin: Nicaragua
Wrapper: USA
Binder: Brazil
Filler: Honduras, Nicaragua
Strength: 7 (of 10)
Size: 140 x 18.3 | 5 1/2 x 46
Released: 2020

#9 | Plasencia Alma Fuerte Sixto I

This is the newest blend in the Fuerte collection which has been introduced in 2016. While made like the rest of the Almas with a ten-year aging process, its Colorado Claro wrapper and hexagonal shape creates a distinctive taste with a tempered body.

Tasting notes:

This striking vitola is peppery sweet and unfolds woody, earthy and cocoa aromas as well as toast and leathery notes. The cigar then develops lush, creamy smoke with coffee and a lot of spice.

Owner: Plasencia 1865, LLC
Factory: Plasencia Cigars S.A.
Origin: Nicaragua
Wrapper: Nicaragua
Binder: Nicaragua
Filler: Nicaragua
Strength: 9 (of 10)
Size: 152 x 23.8 | 6 x 60
Released: 2020

#8 | La Aurora Preferidos Hors d’Age 2020

The La Aurora Preferidos Hors d’Age is the result of an investment in time and world class tobacco. The tobacco’s used in his cigar was grown in 2008, but it was not put into a cigar until 2019. Once the cigars were rolled they were placed in the La Aurora aging room for two years before being released.

Tasting notes:

The cigar unfolds notes of wood and cinnamon with a subtle nuttiness. It also develops sweetness of cinnamon and a wood finish. A subtle leather component and a light kick of pepper appear.

Owner: La Aurora S.A.
Factory: La Aurora Cigar Factory
Origin: Dom. Rep.
Wrapper: Ecuador
Binder: Ecuador
Filler: Colombia, Dom. Rep., Nicaragua
Strength: 7 (of 10)
Size: 152 x 21.4 | 6 x 54
Released: 2021