Cigar Journal’s Top 25 Cigars of 2021: #19 To #14

Today we are revealing the six cigars ranking from positions 19 to 14.

#19 | Joya de Nicaragua Cinço Décadas El Doctor

Named after Dr Alejandro Martinez Cuenca, the man who originally purchased the then nationalised company and began the journey that sees JdN as one of the best known and most respected cigar factories in the world. It’s a beautiful perfecto, with a blend of Nicaraguan aged leaf and expresses all the delicacy, diplomacy, camaraderie and elegance of the great man himself.

Tasting notes:

Intense cedar aromas with a hint of cloves are in the foreground alongside coffee and cocoa flavors. Aside from this, this cigar unfolds the sweetness of dried fruit, espresso, leather, and fruity notes before it fades away with chocolate sweetness.

Owner: Joya de Nicaragua S.A.
Factory: Joya de Nicaragua S.A.
Origin: Nicaragua
Wrapper: Nicaragua
Binder: Nicaragua
Filler: Nicaragua
Strength: 7 (of 10)
Size: 152 x 20.6 | 6 x 52
Released: 2020

#18 | Buffalo Ten Natural Toro

A handsome cigar from the Dominican Republic, this is a mild and well-priced daytime smoke and is available in packs of five. A tasty cigar at a sensible price and one that will feature on many daily rotations and which may well become an old reliable in the humidor.

Tasting notes:

In the creamy smoke of this soft box-pressed Toro there is a lot of cocoa sweetness of milk chocolate, notes of sponge cake, oriental spices with chili spice as well as (towards the end) strong espresso notes.

Owner: El Artista Cigars
Factory: Tabacalera El Artista
Origin: Dom. Rep.
Wrapper: Ecuador
Binder: Indonesia
Filler: Dom. Rep., USA, Nicaragua
Strength: 6 (of 10)
Size: 152 x 19.8 | 6 x 50
Released: 2020

#17 | Southern Draw Jacobs Ladder Un Presidente

A mouthful by name and by nature, this is a bold, no-nonsense beast of a cigar. At 9 x 48, it is no quick smoke and every inch is to be savored, but aged leaf has knocked off the sharper edges and along with tons of flavor, there is delicacy and poise. A special occasion cigar.

Tasting notes:

This extra-long cigar develops earthy and cedar aromas and those of roasted coffee beans; there is also slightly sweet bitter chocolate with black pepper and a lot of herbal spice.

Owner: Southern Draw Cigars
Factory: Tabacalera A.J. Fernandez
Origin: Nicaragua
Wrapper: USA
Binder: USA
Filler: Nicaragua, Dom. Rep.
Strength: 8 (of 10)
Size: 229 x 19 | 9 x 48
Released: 2020

#16 | Alec & Bradley Kintsugi Robusto

Many of us can remember when the Alec Bradley brand hit the market and we found out it was named after owner Alan Rubin’s two sons. Now both are actively involved in the industry and making cigars themselves. This medium-bodied smoke offers complexity, spice and sweetness in a delicious melding of know-how and innovation.

Tasting notes:

The nut aromas of this cigar are underscored with cinnamon sweetness and pepper. Also earthy, coffee and cedar aromas, a malty sweetness, spice, and gentle bitter tones are present in the creamy smoke.

Owner: Alec Bradley Cigar Co.
Factory: Fabrica de Tabacos Raíces Cubanas S. de R.L.
Origin: Honduras
Wrapper: Honduras
Binder: Nicaragua, Honduras
Filler: Nicaragua, Honduras
Strength: 7 (of 10)
Size: 127 x 19.8 | 5 x 50
Released: 2020

#15 | Zino Nicaragua Robusto

The Zino brand continues to purr along, hand in hand with Davidoff and still creating classy smokes after all these years. Made in the style of the late, great Zino Davidoff himself, the line is for the endlessly curious and this mixture of leaves from Ecuador, Nicaragua, Honduras, and Dominican Republic again showcases the quality of the leaf and the skill of the blender.

Tasting notes:

At first, this Robusto has pronounced aromas of cedar and coffee. At the same time, it develops fine-spicy notes, a gentle sweetness, cream, and some pepperiness.

Owner: Oettinger Davidoff AG Basel
Factory: Diadema Cigars Honduras
Origin: Honduras
Wrapper: Ecuador
Binder: Nicaragua
Filler: Honduras, Nicaragua, Dom. Rep.
Strength: 6 (of 10)
Size: 127 x 21.4 | 5 x 54
Released: 2021

#14 | Gurkha Treinta 30^th Anniversary Robusto

From a beach in Goa to an innovative and unique brand sold in cigar stores across the globe, Gurkha has come a long way in 30 years. To celebrate, the Treinta 30 Anniversary Robusto, made in collaboration with Nicaragua’s Aganorsa Leaf factory, brings a smooth smoke in a beautifully oily cigar – perfect for those cherished moments of reflection.

Tasting notes:

At the beginning, this Robusto is floral, woody, and chocolatey. Then coffee and chestnut aromas unfold in the luscious smoke. A slightly peppery kick is also discernible, which later becomes stronger and is mixed with spice, fresh fruity acidity, nuts, and espresso.

Owner: Gurkha Cigar Group, Inc.
Factory: Aganorsa Leaf Factory
Origin: Nicaragua
Wrapper: Nicaragua
Binder: Nicaragua
Filler: Nicaragua
Strength: 8 (of 10)
Size: 127 x 20.6 | 5 x 52
Released: 2020