Top 25 New Cigars 2020

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

1. 

   #25 | Kristoff Shade Grown Robusto

   Tasting notes:

   This pretty cigar with a pigtail and closed foot offers ample earthy aromas over a subtle sweetness as well as a gentle peppery spice. Tangy, vegetal, tart and piquant notes, a light acidity and wood aromas develop in the creamy smoke.

   Owner: Kristoff Exclusive Cigars, Inc. Factory: Charles Fairmorn S.A. Origin: Dom. Rep. Wrapper: Honduras Binder: Dom. Rep. Filler: Dom. Rep. Strength: 6 (of 10) Size: 140 x 21.4 | 5 1/2 x 54 Released: 2019

   
2. 

   #24 | Alec Bradley Project 40 06.52

   Tasting notes:

   The cigar offers pronounced woody, nutty, coffee and cacao aromas with a sweet fruity impact to malt candy and a subtle salty note. Primary flavor notes of leathery, nutty flavors. The cigar is decidedly creamy.

   Owner: Alec Bradley Cigar Corp. Factory: J. Fuego Cigar Co. de Nicaragua Origin: Nicaragua Wrapper: Nicaragua Binder: Brazil Filler: Nicaragua Strength: 6 (of 10) Size: 152 x 20.6 | 6 x 52 Released: 2019

   
3. 

   #23 | Southern Draw Jacobs Ladder Brimstone

   Tasting notes:

   In the thick, oily smoke there are tart-spicy notes underscored with sweetness. Nuts, fruity notes, coffee, and chocolate create an interesting sweet-sour play. Towards the end, the cigar becomes more peppery and even spicier.

   Owner: Southern Draw Cigars Factory: Tabacalera A.J. Fernandez Cigars de Nicaragua S.A. Origin: Nicaragua Wrapper: USA Binder: USA Filler: Dom. Rep. Strength: 8 (of 10) Size: 152 x 22.2 | 6 x 56 Released: 2019

   
4. 

   #22 | Oscar Valladares Wild Hunter Oscuro Toro

   Tasting notes:

   Aromas of earth, cedar and oak are accompanied by herbal spice and later a sweetish chocolaty/toffee note. Occasionally it is slightly salty, delicately bitter (almonds) and sweetish. A complex cigar.

   Owner: Oscar Valladares Tobacco & Co. Factory: Oscar Valladares Tobacco & Co. Origin: Honduras Wrapper: Honduras Binder: Honduras Filler: Honduras Strength: 8 (of 10) Size: 152 x 20.6 | 6 x 52 Released: 2019

   
5. 

   #21 | Undercrown ShadyXX

   Tasting notes:

   A flawless box-pressed Belicoso, whose sweetish Maduro wrapper provides a subtle counterpoint to the sumptuous spiciness of the cigar. It develops tangy, finely acidic notes, leather aromas and even a fine sweetness in a creamy smoke.

   Owner: Drew Estate, LLC Factory: La Gran Fabrica Drew Estate Origin: Nicaragua Wrapper: Mexico Binder: USA Filler: Nicaragua Strength: 7 (of 10) Size: 127 x 19.8 | 5 x 50 Released: 2019

   
6. 

   #20 | Joya de Nicaragua Cinço Décadas Fundador

   Tasting notes:

   At the beginning, this cigar offers floral aromas, the freshness of menthol and chili spice alongside nutty aromas and a nougat sweetness. Mid-way through, it becomes more tart, underscored by cacao sweetness and fruity nuances. The finale is chocolatey.

   Owner: Joya de Nicaragua S.A. Factory: Joya de Nicaragua S.A. Origin: Nicaragua Wrapper: Nicaragua Binder: Nicaragua Filler: Nicaragua Strength: 8 (of 10) Size: 152 x 21.4 | 6 x 54 Released: 2019

   
7. 

   #19 | Laura Chavin Classic No.66 Edition 2019

   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

   
8. 

   #18 | Balmoral Añejo XO Nicaragua Rothschild Masivo

   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: Dom. Rep. Strength: 7 (of 10) Size: 127 x 21.8 | 5 x 55 Released: 2020

   
9. 

   #17 | Flor de Copan Special Edition Rare Blend

   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 (of 10) Size: 114 x 21.4 | 4 ½ x 54 Released: 2019

   
10. 

    #16 | Carlos André Airborne Corona Larga

    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: Dom. Rep. Strength: 5 (of 10) Size: 146 x 16.7 | 5 ¾ x 42 Released: 2019

    
11. 

    #15 | Villiger Cuéllar Black Forest Robusto

    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

    
12. 

    #14 | Viva La Vida Robusto

    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 Binder: Nicaragua Filler: Nicaragua Strength: 8 (of 10) Size: 127 x 21.4 | 5 x 54 Released: 2019

    
13. 

    #13 | Vega Fina & Great Wall Fusion Edition

    Tasting notes:

    This Figurado is densely rolled, its wrapper is extremely smooth. Alongside a sepia-like sweetness that lasts throughout, it offers nuances of exotic fruit, cedar aromas, fine, tart nutty aromas, and subtle acidity. It has a razor-sharp burn.

    Owner: Tabacalera S.L.U and China Tobaco Sichuan Factory: The Great Wall Cigar Factory (Shifang,China) Origin: Other Wrapper: Dom. Rep. Binder: Dom. Rep. Filler: Dom. Rep. Strength: 6 (of 10) Size: 152 x 20.6 | 6 x 52 Released: 2020

    
14. 

    #12 | Casa Turrent Origin Series San Andres Robusto Extra

    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: Nicaragua Strength: 8 (of 10) Size: 140 x 21.4 | 5 1/2 x 54 Released: 2019

    
15. 

    #11 | Días de Gloria by A.J. Fernandez Gordo

    Tasting notes:

    A tangy cigar with dark, earthy, coffee and wood aromas. In very creamy smoke there is also slightly sweet bitter chocolate as well as a little pepper and salt. Towards the end, the coffee and pepper notes become more intense.

    Owner: A.J. Fernandez Cigars Factory: Tabacalera A.J. Fernandez Cigars de Nicaragua S.A. Origin: Nicaragua Wrapper: Nicaragua Binder: Nicaragua Filler: Nicaragua Strength: 8 (of 10) Size: 152 x 23 | 6 x 58 Released: 2019

    
16. 

    #10 | Juan López ER 2018 Francia Punto 55 (Rerelease 2020)

    Tasting notes:

    This cigar offers spicy wood, earthy and nut aromas with the subtle sweetness of dried fruit and later caramel. Flavor-wise, it spreads a pleasant, creamy feeling on the palate with a gentle chili spice and, at the end, with crème brûlée.

    Owner: Empresa Cubana del Tabaco (Cubatabaco) Factory: El Habanero Factory Origin: Cuba Wrapper: Cuba Binder: Cuba Filler: Cuba Strength: 5 (of 10) Size: 130 x 21.8 | 5 1/8 x 55 Released: 2018

    
17. 

    #9 | Rocky Patel CSWC Mareva

    Tasting notes:

    Along with the intense aromas of roasted coffee beans, almonds and earth, as well as a noticeable cacao sweetness, this cigar offers a broad spectrum. Later, perceptible acidic and bitter notes are added. It has a razor-sharp burn.

    Owner: Rocky Patel Premium Cigars Factory: Tabacalera Villa Cuba S.A. (Tavicusa) Origin: Nicaragua Wrapper: Mexico Binder: Nicaragua Filler: Honduras Strength: 5 (of 10) Size: 130 x 16.7 | 5 1/8 x 42 Released: 2020

    
18. 

    #8 | Tatuaje ME II Churchill

    Tasting notes:

    A box-pressed Churchill in a sandy Oscuro wrapper with voluptuous spice and a fine mocha aftertaste. It also offers a subtle sweetness, hints of fruity notes, but, above all, a whole garden of herbal aromas.

    Owner: Tatuaje Cigars, Inc. Factory: My Father Cigars S.A. Origin: Nicaragua Wrapper: Mexico Binder: Nicaragua Filler: Nicaragua Strength: 7 (of 10) Size: 165 x 19.0 | 6 ½ x 48 Released: 2019

    
19. 

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

    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

    
20. 

    #6 | La Aurora 107 Anniversary Nicaragua Robusto

    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

    
21. 

    #5 | Daniel Marshall by Carlos Fuente XXXVIII

    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

    
22. 

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

    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

    
23. 

    #3 | Davidoff Limited Edition Special 53 Perfecto

    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

    
24. 

    #2 | Perdomo Estate Seleccion Vintage Imperio Sun Grown

    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

    
25. 

    #1 | Plasencia Alma Fuerte Robustus I

    Tasting notes:

    Pepperiness and caramel/cinnamon sweetness are a good match in this almost black box-pressed cigar. It develops cedary, nutty and coffee aromas with herbal spice. During the smoke it becomes more expressive.

    Owner: Plasencia Group Factory: Plasencia Cigars S.A. Origin: Nicaragua Wrapper: Nicaragua Binder: Nicaragua Filler: Nicaragua Strength: 8 (of 10) Size: 133 x 20.6 | 5 ¼ x 52 Released: 2019