Top 25 New Cigars 2017

Rated by the Cigar Journal tasting panel, blind, on the 100-point scale.

1. 

   #25 | El Galan Reserva Especial Connecticut Airoso

   Tasting notes:

   The cedary and earthy aromas are supported by creaminess, some peppery spice and a delicate tartness. In addition, the light sweetness of cinnamon and white chocolate and coffee aromas develop.

   Owner: Aroma de Vuelta Abajo Inc. Factory: El Galan Cigars S.A. Origin: Nicaragua Wrapper: Ecuador Filler: Nicaragua Size: 5 x 52 | 127 x 20,6 mm Release: 2016

2. 

   #24 | MBombay Gaaja Torpedo

   Tasting notes:

   A range of woody aromas and herbal notes go hand in hand with fruity notes and a lot of creamy smoke. Then cedar aromas and delicate pepperiness develop.

   Owner: Bombay Tobak Factory: Tabacos de Costa Rica Origin: Costa Rica Wrapper: Ecuador Binder: Ecuador Filler: Dom. Rep. Size: 6 1/2 x 54 | 165 x 21,4 mm Release: 2017

3. 

   #23 | Aging Room Solera Corojo Fantastico

   Tasting notes:

   A full-bodied cigar with peppery spice and a touch of chocolate over the woody aromas. The sweet vanilla and cocoa notes and a delicate bitter taste are perfectly well balanced.

   Owner: Boutique Blend Cigars, Inc. Factory: Tabacalera Palma Origin: Dom. Rep. Wrapper: Dom. Rep. Binder: Dom. Rep. Filler: Dom. Rep. Size: 5 5/8 x 54 | 143 x 21,4 mm Release: 2016

4. 

   #22 | Micallef Reserva Limitada Privada Churchill

   Tasting notes:

   The chocolate sweetness at the beginning is quickly complemented by coffee aromas and fine spices. There are also leathery and woody aromas and a pinch of pepper. What is a mild cigar at first becomes much more robust.

   Owner: Micallef Cigars, LLC Factory: Gómez Sanchez Origin: Nicaragua Wrapper: Mexico Binder: Nicaragua Filler: Dom. Rep. Size: 7 x 52 | 178 x 20,6 mm Release: 2016

5. 

   #21 | 1502 XO Churchill

   Tasting notes:

   At first, a lot of spices, white pepper and salty and sweet undertones. Chocolate, raisins, and molasses define the sweetness. Yet, the coffee and nuts in the creamy smoke don’t come off badly.

   Owner: Global Premium Cigars Factory: Plasencia Cigars S.A. Origin: Nicaragua Filler: Other Size: 7 x 48 | 178 x 19 mm Release: 2017

6. 

   #20 | Balmoral Añejo XO Torpedo Mk52

   Tasting notes:

   The aroma spectrum of wood, earth and leather are accompanied by a delicate sweetness and a light sour touch. In addition, nutty aromas, a pinch of pepper and, at the end, subtle citrus notes develop.

   Owner: Royal Agio Cigars Factory: Agio C.T.C. Origin: Dom. Rep. Wrapper: Brazil Binder: Dom. Rep. Filler: Dom. Rep. Size: 6 1/4 x 52 | 159 x 10,6 mm Release: 2015

7. 

   #19 | VegaFina Fortaleza 2 Rum Barrel Aged Salomon

   Tasting notes:

   Aromas of chocolate, coffee and earth are pepped up by pepperiness and notes of spice. This is followed by dried fruit, some eucalyptus freshness, nutty aromas, and, toward the end, a mild chili sharpness.

   Owner: Tabacalera Factory: Tabacalera de García Origin: Dom. Rep. Wrapper: Ecuador Binder: Dom. Rep. Filler: Dom. Rep. Size: 5 3/4 x 52 | 146 x 20,6 mm Release: 2016

8. 

   #18 | Don Kiki Platinum Label Limited Selection Grande

   Tasting notes:

   This large caliber starts off with a dark chocolate and toffee taste in creamy, soft smoke. Then, nut and roasted aromas, light bitter and fruity notes are added. Very harmonious and creamy.

   Owner: Don Kiki Cigars Factory: Estelí Cigar Factory S.A. Origin: Nicaragua Wrapper: Ecuador Filler: Nicaragua Size: 6 x 60 | 152 x 23,8 mm Release: 2016

9. 

   #17 | 2012 by Oscar Corojo Toro

   Tasting notes:

   This box pressed Toro impresses with its creamy smoke, and develops aromas of roasted nuts, earth, grains, and wood. It has spices of pepper, the sweetness of treacle, herbs, and notes of fruit.

   Owner: Oscar Valladares Tobacco & Co. Factory: Oscar Valladares Tobacco & Co. Origin: Honduras Wrapper: Honduras Binder: Nicaragua Filler: Honduras Size: 6 x 52 | 152 x 20,6 mm Released: 2017

10. 

    #16 | Flor de Selva Colección Aniversario N° 20 Egoísta

    Tasting notes:

    In the first few draws, this small, thick cigar is somewhat impetuous. Soon, harmony comes into play: creamy sweetness, notes of hay, herbs and roasted aromas come to the foreground, underscored by a peppery spice.

    Owner: Maya Selva Cigars Factory: Tabacos de Oriente Origin: Honduras Size: 89 x 22,2 mm | 3 1/2 x 56 Released: 2017

11. 

    #15 | Juan López Eminentes ER 2016 Suiza

    Tasting notes:

    The medium-bodied Sublimes are chocolatey, with delicate pepper, roasted and earthy aromas. Toward the end, there’s a nice competition between nougat sweetness, cedar, and chili spice.

    Owner: Habanos S.A. Factory: Cubatabaco Origin: Cuba Filler: Cuba Size: 165 x 21,4 mm | 6 1/2 x 54 Released: 2016

12. 

    #14 | La Galera Maduro El Lector

    Tasting notes:

    Following a sweet, creamy start, cedary and roasted aromas, as well as chocolate and nuts, come into play. This Toro cigar develops a lot of spices, some citrus freshness and pepperiness.

    Owner: Indian Head Cigars Factory: Tabacalera Palma Origin: Dom. Rep. Wrapper: Mexico Filler: Dom. Rep. Size: 152 x 21,4 mm | 6 x 54 Released: 2016

13. 

    #13 | Monte by Montecristo AJ Fernandez Toro

    Tasting notes:

    A very tasty cigar with forest floor, grassy, roasted, and cedary aromas. A complex blend, with notes of fruit, chocolate, and cereals. It is creamy in the smoke, and complex.

    Owner: Altadis U.S.A., Inc Factory: Tabacalera A.J. Fernandez Cigars Origin: Nicaragua Wrapper: Ecuador Binder: Nicaragua Filler: Dom. Rep. Size: 6 x 55 | 152 x 21,8 mm Released: 2017

14. 

    #12 | Joya Black Doble Robusto

    Tasting notes:

    The sumptuous sweetness of dried fruit, caramel, and fruitcake accompany this cigar. It is underscored by wheat tones, pepper and coffee. Now and then in the creamy smoke there are also notes of citrus. Owener: Joya de Nicaragua, S.A.

    Factory: Joya de Nicaragua, S.A. Origin: Nicaragua Wrapper: Mexico Binder: Nicaragua Filler: Nicaragua Size: 5 x 56 | 127 x 22,2 mm Released: 2016

15. 

    #11 | A.J. Fernandez New World Puro Especial Robusto

    Tasting notes:

    Following the pepper in the first few draws, a pleasant sweetness comes through. Coffee, cedar, and leather aromas then develop. The spiciness of ginger and the sweetness of honey. Exciting.

    Owner: A.J. Fernandez Cigars Factory: Tabacalera A.J. Fernandez Cigars Origin: Nicaragua Filler: Nicaragua

16. 

    #10 | Bolívar Tesoro ER 2016 5ta Avenida

    Tasting notes:

    At first, this cigar releases intense nutty and woody aromas, which is accentuated by a fruity sweetness and delicate peppery spice. In the second half, in the creamy, velvety smoke, a lot of spice is added.

    Owner: Habanos S.A Factory: Cubatabaco Origin: Cuba Filler: Cuba Size: 7 1/4 x 57 | 184 x 22,6 mm Released: 2017

17. 

    #9 | Eiroa The First 20 54×6

    Tasting notes:

    The first impression: hazelnut, cedar wood and cane sugar, followed by a spice explosion with a pepper kick. Then, increasing sweetness, several roasted and bitter tones. Complex and harmoniously blended.

    Owner: C.L.E. Cigar Company Factory: Aladino Origin: Honduras Filler: Honduras Size: 6 x 54 | 152 x 21,4 mm Released: 2016

18. 

    #8 | Plasencia Alma Fuerte Generación V

    Tasting notes:

    A tangy box pressed salomón with a nutty impact, subtle roasted aromas and slightly peppery mint. Its earthy and woody aromas increase during the smoke; likewise, the sweetness of dried fruit. Full-bodied and balanced.

    Owner: Plasencia Cigars S. Factory: Fabrica de Puro Plasencia Cigars Origin: Nicaragua Filler: Nicaragua Size: 7 x 58 | 178 x 23 mm Released: 2017

19. 

    #7 | Rocky Patel Fifty-Five Robusto

    Tasting notes:

    The first draws are characterized by cocoa, chocolate and espresso. Toast aromas, a subtle fruity sweetness and nutmeg are pervaded by delicate bitter notes, coffee and licorice.

    Owner: Rocky Patel Premium Cigars Factory: Tabacalera Tavicusa S.A. Origin: Nicaragua Wrapper: Nicaragua Binder: Ecuador Filler: Nicaragua Size: 5 1/2 x 55 | 140 x 21,8 mm Released: 2016

20. 

    #6 | La Flor Dominicana Andalusian Bull

    Tasting notes:

    Caramel sweetness with alternating nutty, coffee, leathery and cedary aromas, accompanied by peppery spice and fruity notes. During the smoke, the spice gains momentum; the sweetish coffee scent increases. Very harmonious.

    Owner: La Flor Dominicana Factory: Tabacalera La Flor La S.A. Origin: Dom. Rep. Wrapper: Ecuador Filler: Dom. Rep. Size: 6 1/2 x 64 | 165 x 25,4 mm Released: 2016

21. 

    #5 | Romeo y Julieta Edición Limitada 2016 Capuletos

    Tasting notes:

    Lush wood aromas and a delicate sweetness pervade the very creamy smoke of this cigar. It develops nutty, coffee and roasted aromas; delicate tartness and caramel sweetness. Toward the end it becomes slightly stronger.

    Owner: Habanos S.A. Factory: Cubatabaco Origin: Cuba Filler: Cuba Size: Sobresalientes, 6 x 53 | 153 x 21 mm Released: 2017

22. 

    #4 | Padrón 1964 Anniversary Series Presidente Maduro AT

    Tasting notes:

    An expressive cigar with earthy aromas, minty freshness, pepperiness, and chocolate. Also coffee and cedary aromas, as well as the sweetness of dried fruit are noticeable in the creamy smoke.

    Owner: Padrón Cigars Factory: Cubanica Origin: Nicaragua Filler: Nicaragua Size: 6 x 50 | 152 x 19,8 mm Released: 2017

23. 

    #3 | Davidoff Winston Churchill Late Hour Churchill

    Tasting notes:

    This Churchill starts off with fine sandalwood and leathery aromas, delicate pepper and a light salty note. It then develops a creamy smoke, a subtle sourness, coffee and chocolate notes, as well as earthy aromas.

    Owner: Oettinger Davidoff AG Factory: Tabadom Origin: Dom. Rep. Wrapper: Ecuador Binder: Mexico Filler: Dom. Rep. Size: 7 x 49 | 178 x 19 mm Released: 2017

24. 

    #2 | Perdomo Bourbon Barrel Aged Epicure Connecticut

    Owner: Perdomo Cigars Factory: Tabacalera Perdomo Origin: Nicaragua Wrapper: Ecuador Binder: Nicaragua Filler: Nicaragua Size: 6 x 54 | 152 x 21,4 mm Released: 2015

25. 

    #1 | My Father The Judge Grand Robusto

    Tasting notes:

    This cigar starts off slightly salty, with interesting woody and almond tones. It is unbelievably smooth, nutty, delicately acidic, and develops subtle notes of anise, coffee and bread in the very creamy smoke texture.

    Owner: My Father Cigars S.A. Factory: My Father Cigars S.A. Origin: Nicaragua Wrapper: Ecuador Binder: Nicaragua Filler: Nicaragua Size: 5 x 60 | 127 x 23,8 mm Released: 2016